The title “Other Mommy” is misleading. The villainous demon haunting 8-year-old Bela (Arabella Olivia Clark) can take any form, including her father (Jay Duplass), her babysitter (Sean Kaufman), or even a complete stranger. But yes, much of the time it impersonates her mother (Jessica Chastain). The reason, I suspect, has less to do with the fraught mother-daughter relationship and more to do with luring Oscar-winner Chastain to the project with the promise that she would get to have fun playing a demon. Sadly, neither the performance nor the film is that much fun.

Within the first few minutes, we get the scene from the film’s trailer that largely sold people on this movie. Bela interacts with Other Mommy in the family’s kitchen. Unlike her actual mommy, Other Mommy is warm and affectionate. Bela likes some aspects of her company, but at the same time knows that she’s fake, as evidenced by her face occasionally becoming distorted. Eventually Daddo comes into the kitchen. Most horror movies would have Other Mommy disappear around this time, indicating that either Bela’s sanity will be called into question or maybe that the demon is invisible to everyone but Bela. But no, the demon makes its presence known, and the rest of the film sees all three family members contending with it as a unit.

Very soon after this home invasion, the parents throw a party, confident that the demon won’t return now that it’s been discovered. It finds a way in. The family goes to stay with Bela’s unsavory “Uncle” Frank (Arian Moayed), but it follows them there, too. As a last resort, they go to stay with Bela’s judgmental grandmother (Karen Allen), who has access to a network of psychic mediums and paranormal investigators (I thought they were setting up for a cameo by the guys from “Insidious,” but no, that might inject some life into this movie). When that doesn’t work out, they decide to confront the demon in their house, which they think gives them a sort of homefield advantage, except that they forget that the demon already knows their house. They make this decision despite me hissing “padded cell” at the screen.

As you’ve probably guessed, this is a hard movie to take seriously, and I don’t mean that it succeeds in being funny. Bela makes some naïve decisions because she’s eight, but what is all the adults’ excuse for being stupid? From not going to the authorities (which the demon could probably find a way around, but they should still try it) to letting Bela out of their sight on multiple occasions to repeatedly thinking that traditional weapons will work on the demon, these parents are so lousy at protecting their child that I was hoping the police would take her away from them – with or without the demon.

“Other Mommy” is quickly earning itself a reputation as one of the worst-reviewed movies of the year. It isn’t so much terrible in and of itself as it falls short of high expectations set by the casting of Chastain and the highly-popular trailer. There are a few decent emotional beats surrounding the fracturing of the family dynamic. But those rare promising moments are efficiently snuffed out by the film indulging in every haunted-house cliché it can muster, all the more tired because not enough time has passed since the similar “Insidious: Out of the Further” back in August. If the appeal of the film lies in the promise of two Jessica Chastain performances for the price of one, please know that neither performance is worth half of one.

Grade: C-

“Other Mommy” is rated R for some bloody violence, and language. Its running time is 93 minutes.

Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu. Check out the newly-updated www.bobatthemovies.com for reviews from the last two years.

Canton Academy’s (CA) junior high cheerleaders recently earned second place in the Junior High Non-Tumbling Small Division at the 2026 MAIS Spirit Competition.

The Panthers were recognized for their performance at the competition, with the team’s finish highlighting the hard work and dedication of the cheerleaders throughout the season.

Canton Academy congratulated the junior high cheerleaders on their accomplishment and for representing the school at the competition.

The Madison County Business League & Foundation has announced the inaugural 2026-27 Madison County Young Professionals Board of Directors.

Since its organization in 2016, interest in the Madison County Young Professionals program has grown, according to the organization. The Madison County Business League & Foundation has transitioned the program’s steering committee into a board of directors, creating a smaller leadership team to guide its next chapter.

Madison County Young Professionals provides emerging young leaders and entrepreneurs with opportunities to build relationships, serve the community and engage with business, political and civic leaders. The program also focuses on professional development for Madison County’s future leaders.

Serving on the board are Peyton Brown, vice chair, Huntington Bank; Bethany Stanfill Ricks, secretary-treasurer, BSS Global; Jamie Lake, immediate past chair, BankPlus; and Ron Dixon, chair, Atmos Energy.

Other board members are Carter Clarke, Tellus Operating Group; Gabby MacNabb, Entergy; Emily Harrison, Madison County Economic Development Authority; Betsy Dowell, Century Construction; Abbey Wennerlund, Birdsong Construction; Amanda Green, Nissan North America; Wilson Nichols, Argent Wealth; Brady Power, Trustmark Bank; Sammy Brown, Brown Legal Group; Hugh Warren, Jones Walker; Wes Neely, Guaranty Bank; and Whit Mills, Mills Contracting.

Canton High School senior Alexandria Luckett will continue representing her school and community on the Mississippi Department of Education’s State Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council.

Luckett has been selected to serve a second term on the council for the 2026-27 school year. The council brings together Mississippi students in grades 11 and 12, along with first-year college students, to provide input on education and share their experiences with state education officials.

For Luckett, returning to the council provides another opportunity to speak about issues affecting students and offer feedback based on her own experiences at Canton High.

The 2026-27 council includes 144 students from across Mississippi. Members serve as liaisons between the Mississippi Department of Education and their peers and advise State Superintendent of Education Dr. Lance Evans on educational opportunities and state policies.

“The MDE enjoys offering the Student Advisory Council program each year because not only does it give students an opportunity to learn more about Mississippi’s public education system, but it also allows MDE staff to get direct feedback from students about their school experience,” Evans said.

The Mississippi Department of Education launched the Student Advisory Council in 2019. Each year, students apply for membership by submitting a cover letter and resume and answering questions about their interest in the council, accomplishments, educational concerns and academic goals.

MDE received nearly 200 applications for the 2026-27 council.

Luckett’s second term will allow her to continue bringing the perspective of a Canton High student to conversations about education at the state level.

Canton Career Center has named Lindsey Fordis its Teacher of the Month.

Fordis was recognized for her commitment to her students and the career center. She is described as a professional and effective instructor who communicates clearly, listens thoughtfully and approaches situations with patience and respect.

Fordis is also recognized for her willingness to assist others and for the positive relationships she has developed with her students.

According to the Canton Career Center, Fordis leads by example and inspires her students through her dedication to teaching and learning.

Built in 1852 by Dr. James Priestley, the Priestley Home exemplifies antebellum Mississippi residential architecture and stands as one of Madison County’s finest examples of period craftsmanship. Originally constructed with four rooms, a grand staircase, and an iconic front porch, the residence was expanded over time with additional wings and rooms, creating the substantial home it is today.

The current restoration, recognized by the Mississippi Historic Trust for Outstanding Restoration, preserves the home’s historic integrity while incorporating thoughtful modern conveniences. Every detail was meticulously considered: historically appropriate hardware, reclaimed original dining room doors, restoration of the grand staircase, original architectural elements, hardwood floors, period plaster work, and historic windows. Structural improvements include new foundation piers, steel-beam reinforcement, and a long-life metal roof.

The residence features four gracious bedrooms with fireplaces, four fully appointed bathrooms with clawfoot tubs and period detailing, and formal entertaining spaces: dining room, music room, parlor, library, and office. A period-inspired kitchen combines original character with professional-grade modern function. Outdoor spaces include a screened sunroom, sleeping porch, mature hardwoods, established gardens, greenhouse, and pool.

Situated one block south of Canton’s historic downtown, the Priestley Home merges architectural heritage with livable elegance.

A documented masterpiece of Mississippi antebellum architecture and local preservation legacy.

all photos Special to The Canton News

Drivers are reminded that passing a school bus with its stop sign extended is a serious violation of the law and puts students’ lives at risk.

Drivers traveling through school zones are encouraged to remain alert, follow posted speed limits and avoid distractions such as cellphones. Drivers should also watch carefully for students waiting at bus stops or walking to and from school, particularly during arrival and dismissal times.

The Canton Public School District encourages residents to share the safety reminder with family, friends and neighbors to help create safer school zones and protect students and staff.

Canton Academy picked up another important victory Friday night, defeating North Delta 27-20 in a closely contested matchup.

The Panthers entered the game with a 5-2 record, looking to continue building momentum as the regular season moves into its final weeks.

North Delta came into the matchup with four wins on the season, setting up a competitive contest between two teams looking to improve their position heading toward the postseason.

Canton Academy's offense finished with 27 points, providing just enough separation to secure the seven-point victory. The Panthers' defense also did its part, holding North Delta to 20 points.

The win improves Canton Academy to 6-2 on the season and gives the Panthers another positive result as they prepare for the final stretch of their schedule.

With six victories already secured, Canton Academy has put together a solid season and will look to continue improving as the postseason draws closer.

The Panthers will now turn their attention to their next matchup, hoping to carry Friday's momentum into another strong performance.

Canton continued its season Friday night with a 34-12 victory over Callaway.

The Tigers entered the matchup coming off a 42-20 victory over Holmes County Central and carried that momentum into another strong performance.

Canton's offense put up 34 points while its defense held Callaway to just 12. The win gives the Tigers consecutive victories as they continue their district schedule.

Canton will now turn its attention to Neshoba Central, where the Tigers will travel Friday, October 16, looking to extend their winning streak. 

Fourth-grade students welcomed three members of the Daughters of the American Revolution to help celebrate Constitution Day on September 17.

Suzanne Avent, Betsy Sligh and Davin Ford visited with students as part of the celebration. Ford also shared “Ring the Bell” with the students, and each student received a gift bag to commemorate the occasion.

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is observed each year on September 17 to commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787. The National Archives encourages educators and students to use the day as an opportunity to learn more about the Constitution and government.

The Daughters of the American Revolution, commonly known as DAR, is a nonprofit organization founded in 1890 whose mission includes historical preservation, education and patriotism. The organization has a particular focus on educating young people and provides programs and resources for students and teachers.

DAR also played a direct role in establishing Constitution Week. In 1955, the organization petitioned Congress to designate September 17-23 as Constitution Week. Congress adopted the resolution, and President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed it into law in 1956.

For fourth-grade students, visits like this provide an opportunity to connect classroom lessons about the Constitution and American history with members of their local community. DAR’s educational programs include Constitution Week activities and resources designed to encourage students to learn about American history, government and citizenship.

The school expressed its appreciation to Avent, Sligh and Ford for spending time with the students and helping them celebrate Constitution Day.

Students in the Canton Public School District (CSPD) High School Equivalency Program (HSEP) recently visited Nissan Canton for an educational and career-focused experience.

The visit was designed to help students explore career opportunities in their community and consider their options after earning their high school equivalency credentials.

CPSD’s HSEP emphasizes three pathways for students after graduation: entering the workforce, enrolling in a community college or university, or enlisting in a branch of the U.S. military.

The district encourages students to view graduation as the beginning of their next chapter and to begin planning for their futures through the program’s “Three E’s to Success”: Enter, Enroll and Enlist.

The Nissan visit gave students an opportunity to learn more about local career opportunities and gain firsthand insight into potential pathways in the workforce.

It is easy to think of hurricanes as a coastal threat, especially in a place like Madison County, far from the Gulf. But when a storm such as Isaias pushes inland, it can still deliver hours of strong wind, heavy rain, flash flooding, and even tornadoes. In many cases, the worst problems do not come from the first burst of weather, but from the decisions people make after they assume the danger has passed.

Mistake 1: Thinking it is over when the wind dies down. The most intense wind and rain may ease before the storm system is truly finished. Trailing rain bands can move through hours later, and those bands are often where inland tornadoes develop. Keep weather alerts turned on until warnings for your county have expired or been canceled, and check the radar before leaving home.

Mistake 2: Assuming dry skies mean dry roads. Flood danger often continues after the rain stops. Creeks, ditches, and low-lying roads can keep rising, while larger rivers may continue climbing for a day or more. If water covers the road, turn around. There is no safe way to judge its depth from behind the wheel, and the roadbed beneath it may already be washed out.

The Post-Storm Risks People Underestimate

Mistake 3: Going out just to look around. After a storm, curiosity can put people directly in harm's way. Driving around to inspect damage increases the risk of encountering downed power lines, falling limbs, blocked roads, or hidden floodwater. It also slows utility crews, emergency responders, and road teams trying to restore safe conditions. Unless you truly need to travel, staying put is often the safest choice.

Mistake 4: Cleaning up before taking pictures. The instinct to start clearing limbs, tearing out wet carpet, or moving damaged belongings is understandable. Still, it is important to document everything first. Take photos and video of visible damage before cleanup begins. That record can help support insurance claims and make it easier for adjusters to understand the full extent of the loss.

Mistake 5: Waiting on a small leak. A ceiling stain or damp spot near a window may not look urgent, but moisture rarely stays in one place. Water can move behind walls, under flooring, and into insulation. In Mississippi's humid conditions, mold can begin growing quickly, sometimes within a day or two. If you spot moisture, dry the area as soon as possible or have it professionally assessed.

Recovery Requires Patience and Caution

Mistake 6: Running a generator too close to the house. Generators can be essential after outages, but they also create a serious carbon monoxide risk. Running one in a garage, carport, or near doors and windows can allow deadly fumes to enter the home. A generator should always be used outdoors and placed at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and vents.

Mistake 7: Hiring the first truck that stops. Storm cleanup often attracts out-of-town contractors who go door to door offering immediate repairs. Some may be legitimate, but others take advantage of urgency and stress. Before agreeing to any work, confirm that the contractor is licensed and insured, ask for a written estimate, and avoid paying a large cash deposit up front.

The lesson for inland communities is simple: the end of the storm is not always the end of the risk. A little patience after the weather moves through can keep one bad night from turning into a much worse week. 

For homeowners dealing with storm or water damage, Paul Davis Restoration of Central Mississippi, based in Flowood, provides 24/7 storm and water damage restoration across Rankin, Hinds and Madison counties. Call 601-398-0260.

Canton has had plenty to cheer about this fall, with the Tigers rolling into region play unbeaten after an open week. Football season is also when the sports betting commercials come thickest, and one of the names in them has changed. ESPN Bet stopped taking wagers on December 1, 2025, and the app that replaced it now goes by theScore Bet, run by the same parent company, Penn Entertainment.

The pitch on TV is simple enough: place your first bet, and if it loses, you get your money back up to $1,000. Anyone who goes looking for a theScore Bet promo code will find the current terms spelled out, and they reward slow reading, because the fine print changes what that $1,000 really is. For readers here in Madison County, there is also a bigger catch the ads never mention.

What the offer actually gives you

theScore calls its welcome deal Bet Reset. A new customer deposits at least $10 and places a first wager. If that wager wins, you keep the winnings and the promotion is finished. If it loses, the sportsbook refunds the stake, up to $1,000, but not as cash. The refund comes back as five separate bonus bets, each worth 20% of the original wager. Lose $200 on that first bet and you get five $40 bonus bets.

Bonus bets are not money in the bank. You can't withdraw them. When one wins, you collect only the winnings, not the bonus amount itself, so a $40 bonus bet at +100 odds pays out $40 in cash rather than $80. According to theScore's own promotion terms, the bonus bets land within 72 hours of the losing wager and expire seven days after they arrive. Miss that window and they disappear.

So a "$1,000 refund" is really five chances to win back some portion of a lost bet, inside one week. That is a long way from a check in the mail.

Questions to ask before you sign up

A reporter checking a claim before printing it would want answers to a handful of plain questions first:

• Am I physically standing in a state where this app is legal? (More on that below, and it matters more than anything else here.)
• Am I old enough? The minimum age is 21 in most states where theScore operates, including Louisiana and Tennessee.
• Am I comfortable handing over my full name, date of birth, home address and Social Security number? Licensed books ask for all of it to confirm identity.
• Would I spend this deposit on an evening out anyway, if the bonus never existed?

That last one is the most honest test. A promotion built around refunding a losing bet works best for the sportsbook when people bet more than they planned in order to "use" it.

Where Mississippi fits in the bigger picture

Here is the part national advertising skips. Mississippi has allowed sports betting since August 2018, but only at its licensed casinos. A few casino apps work on the property itself, yet there is no statewide mobile betting, and theScore Bet does not operate in Mississippi at all. Its app is live in 20 states plus Washington, D.C., and the location check it runs on every wager will block a bet placed from Canton.

The closest places it works are next door. Louisiana and Tennessee both host theScore Bet, so a Canton resident would have to be physically across the state line, a little over an hour west over the river bridge at Vicksburg, before a single wager counts. Any app that offers you a bonus from your living room here, without checking where you are, is not a licensed American sportsbook. Treat that as a red flag, not a loophole.

Lawmakers in Jackson keep arguing over whether the rules should change. The House passed the Mississippi Mobile Sports Wagering Act 100 to 11 this year, but as the Magnolia Tribune reported in March, it died in the Senate Gaming Committee, the same place earlier versions stalled. Committee chairman Sen. David Blount of Jackson objected to a tax cut for brick and mortar casinos packaged into the bill, and he told the Clarion Ledger he worried about "the negative consequences to putting a casino in everybody's pocket." The House sponsor, Rep. Casey Eure of Saucier, has made mobile betting his signature issue, and the next session opens in January.

The short answer for Canton

For most readers here, the straight answer to "should I claim it?" is that you can't, at least not from the couch on a Friday night while the Tigers are playing. If a trip to New Orleans or Memphis puts you in range and you decide to try it, set a spending limit before the first bet and check the expiry date on every bonus bet the day it lands. Think of the whole thing as the cost of an evening's entertainment. It is not a way to make money back, and the ads are not going to remind you of that.

        “Verity” wishes it was a twisty thriller. It is indeed twisty, but it doesn’t have the heart to be a thriller. The film’s advertising is clearly positioning it as a successor to last year’s hit front-of-the-bookstore novel adaptation “The Housemaid,” though it is based on a book that predates that film’s source material by four years. In fact, it is based on a novel by the popular Colleen Hoover, and it’s easy to picture the studio jumping at the chance to release a movie with Hoover’s name crossed with a setup similar to “The Housemaid.” The problem is that with Hoover’s name comes her trademark sappy style, which is ill-suited to the thriller genre, at least here. 

        Dakota Johnson stars as Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling, unpopular, highbrow author. She meets a man named Jeremy (Josh Hartnett) through a shared traumatic experience and within five minutes he’s locking them both in a men’s room together. He eventually reveals that he’s the husband of revenge-thriller author Verity Crawford (Anne Hathaway), who is in desperate need of a ghostwriter. He offers Lowen money that she can’t turn down, and soon she finds herself moving into the Crawfords’ house in rural Vermont, where she learns why Verity can’t do the writing herself: she’s been paralyzed following a recent car crash. 

        Lowen spends her days going through Verity’s stacks of notes so she can approximate her creative voice for the upcoming novel. In the meantime, she bonds with the warm Jeremy and his son Crew (Brady Wagner), who lost his twin sister, Verity and Jeremy’s daughter, in a drowning that barely predated Verity’s car crash. She barely spends any time with Verity herself, but when she does, she notices that the author is able to shoot an icy glare in her direction. It could just be an involuntary reflex or an indication of something darker. 

        Lowen stumbles upon the manuscript for Verity’s autobiography, which we see through pre-crash flashbacks that allow Hathaway to act with full use of her body. She and Jeremy were once madly in love, especially when they first met and he somehow won her over with what I would call red-flag creepiness. But the relationship changed when she had children, whom he seemed to love more than her, which caused her to love them less. A few chapters later, and Lowen not only personally wants to make Jeremy feel better, but also to punish Verity, who is clearly unreliable on at least one level. 

        With a title like “Verity,” there is obviously much question throughout the film about who can and cannot be trusted. Verity herself indulged in dark fantasies in her writing, Lowen implies that she’s hiding secrets, and Jeremy is a man in a movie that combines “The Housemaid” with “It Ends with Us” (for Johnson fans, there a little “Fifty Shades” in there too, with some scenes that include biting, wood, and frosting). Supposedly all the deception is there to keep the viewer guessing, but the only guessing I was doing was at how long it would take before the next predictable twist. 

        It’s not even the predictability or the laughable attempts at salaciousness that are the biggest problem with “Verity,” it’s the slowness. This meandering movie cannot be exciting to save its life. I was genuinely surprised that I was out of the theater in less than two and a half hours with the way this movie was paced. It acts like it wants to be better than the kind of trashy thriller that Verity writes. I’d settle for it being as good as a typical trashy thriller.

Grade: D

“Verity” is rated R for sexual content, some nudity, language, violence and bloody images. Its running time is 117 minutes. 

Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu. 

Recently, the Canton–Madison County Historical Society was contacted by Mrs. Sarah Caudell of Clearwater, Florida, who reached out with an original photograph and historical materials connected to one of Canton’s early merchants, Henry Gwinner.

Here is the special story behind how these materials came into Mrs. Caudell’s care.

After Henry Gwinner’s granddaughter, known as “Muggee” Lutz, and her husband, Clovis Lutz, moved to Clearwater, Florida, they became good friends with Mrs. Caudell.

Knowing of Mrs. Caudell’s love of history, the Lutzes gave her an original photograph of the interior of Henry Gwinner’s store in Canton, along with information about the family and business.

Mrs. Caudell carefully preserved these pieces of Canton history. Many years later, she remembered where their story began and reached out to share them with the CMCHS.

The photograph she preserved is remarkable.

The interior view allows us to step inside Gwinner’s store. The long, narrow establishment is crowded with merchandise. Glass cases and counters line the room, shelves rise toward the ceiling, and goods occupy nearly every available space. Produce, barrels, packaged goods and household merchandise can be seen throughout, while a number of people stand among the counters and displays.

The photograph itself has its own history. Written on the back of its mount are the words “H. Gwinner’s Store” and “Picture taken 1869 in Canton, Miss.” Another surviving marking identifies Weatherford & Swan, Photographers, Canton, Miss.

If the handwritten date accurately records when the photograph was taken, it provides an extraordinarily early view of Gwinner’s Canton business, during the period of Reconstruction only a few years after the Civil War.

After receiving Mrs. Caudell’s photograph, we were also able to pair it with an exterior image familiar to the CMCHS: a view of Gwinner’s storefront published curated for the Society’s 2004 pictorial history of Canton.

To the best of our research, Gwinner’s store was located on the north side of the Canton Square.

The exterior photograph brings the business to life from another perspective with Mr. Henry Gwinner standing out front with another unidentified man. Produce fills open bins and crates along the sidewalk, merchandise and advertisements surround the entrance, and two men stand amid the displays. And Gwinner’s apparently offered Cantonians more than groceries and household goods.

An April 14, 1877 notice in Canton’s American Citizen announced that the “Little Giant” Soda Fountain was in operation for the season “AT GWINNERS.”

For five cents, customers could purchase a large glass of soda, advertised with the wonderfully Reconstruction-era phrase “the spirit of ’76.” The notice praised the machine as a “model of beauty” and said it offered advantages “just suited for the times and seasons.”

These surviving pieces - the photograph preserved by the Gwinner family and Mrs. Caudell, the exterior image preserved by the CMCHS, the photographer’s imprint, the handwritten identification, and the 1877 newspaper notice - begin to reconstruct the story of a business that was once part of daily life on the Canton Square.

Henry Gwinner himself was eventually laid to rest here in Canton, where his grave marker survives today.

But the merchant is only half of the story.

Before Henry Gwinner became a Canton businessman, his life had taken a very different course during the Civil War. His surviving military records tell of his work as a saddle maker, his service with Mississippi cavalry, his appointment as a bugler, and an unusual wartime assignment seeking the services of an “honest practical mechanic.”

And the connection between the Gwinner family and the Canton Square did not end with Henry.

Something donated to Canton by Clovis Lutz remains on the Square to this very day.

Before coming to Canton, Henry Gwinner served during the Civil War.

Family research preserved with the collection identifies him as a private in Company I, 28th Regiment, Mississippi Volunteer Cavalry. The records indicate that he enlisted in 1862 and was appointed Chief Bugler on July 1 of that year.

He later appears as an acting brigade bugler and among staff and acting staff associated with Jackson’s Cavalry Division.

One particularly interesting record dates to February 1, 1864.

Correspondence from the Office of the Chief Inspector of Field Transportation requested that Gwinner be assigned to special service. The reason was his civilian trade: Henry Gwinner was a saddle maker.

The correspondence described him as thoroughly acquainted with the work required and emphasized the need for an “honest practical mechanic.”

Subsequent records place Gwinner on detached service at Demopolis, Alabama, where he served as a foreman.

His military story continued through the closing days of the war. Family research records Gwinner on a prisoner-of-war roll following the surrender of Confederate forces at Citronelle,Alabama, in May 1865, followed by his parole.

Another record places him on a prisoner roll at Grenada, Mississippi, later that month.

Four decades later, Gwinner told part of the story in his own hand.

On April 26, 1905, while residing in Canton, he completed a Certificate of Eligibility for a Confederate Cross of Honor for the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Gwinner recalled entering Confederate service as a private and identified his final position as Chief Bugler, Armstrong’s Brigade.

And at the bottom of the document appears something particularly personal:

Henry Gwinner’s own signature.

As is often the case with historical records created at different times, there are some discrepancies among the surviving documents concerning dates and details of his service.

Rather than diminishing their value, these differences remind us why preserving the original records, and comparing them carefully is so important.

The papers shared with us also provide a glimpse into how Henry Gwinner’s story survived long after his death.

Among them is a handwritten note dated March 28, 1980, accompanying research into Gwinner’s military service. It reads in part:

“Here is Grandfather Henry Gwinner’s record … Lee wanted you to have.”

Another notation asks that the material, once read, be “pass[ed] on to Aunt Muggie.”

That “Muggie” was Henry Gwinner’s granddaughter, Edythe Hollingsworth Lutz (1899–1993), remembered by the family as “Muggee.” She was married to Clovis Charles Lutz (1897–1983). Both Edythe and Clovis were buried here in Canton.

Eventually, Muggee and Clovis moved to Clearwater, Florida, where they became friends with Sarah Caudell. Knowing Mrs. Caudell’s love of history, they entrusted her with the original photograph of Gwinner’s Canton store and the history associated with the family.

Through her generosity, materials that had traveled through the Gwinner family and eventually hundreds of miles away have now been shared with the community where so much of the story took place.

But there is one final twist.

Not everything the Lutz family left behind ever left Canton.

Clovis Lutz donated a watering trough to the City of Canton.

Remarkably, it is still on the Courthouse Square today.

Its purpose has changed with the times. The old trough is now filled with flowers and serves as a planter, maintained by the Canton Garden Club. Generations of Canton residents have passed it—many perhaps never knowing the family story behind this familiar object.

More than a century after Henry Gwinner conducted business in downtown Canton, this familiar object provides a tangible connection between his descendants and the community their family once called home.

The Canton–Madison County Historical Society extends its sincere appreciation to Mrs. Sarah Caudell of Clearwater, Florida, for preserving these materials and for recognizing that their story belonged back in Canton.

all photos Special to The Canton News

During National Newspaper Week, we should all ask what would happen if our local newspaper suddenly disappeared.

Our community would lose more than headlines.

We would lose the public record of who voted for what, how tax dollars were spent and which promises were kept. We would lose the watchdog that asks the hard questions.

We would also lose the chronicle of daily life: obituaries, births, honor rolls, ballgames, county fairs, veterans programs, business openings, retirements and the small acts of service that hold a town together.

A newspaper is not just paper and ink. It is part of the civic fabric that holds a community together.

That is why the crisis facing local newspapers should concern everyone, not just people in the news business.

According to Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, close to 3,500 newspapers have disappeared in the United States since 2005. In the past year alone, another 148 vanished through closures or mergers. About 50 million Americans now have limited or no access to local news. Nearly 80% of the nation’s news deserts are in predominantly rural counties.

This did not happen because people stopped needing local news. It happened because the old business model broke down.

For generations, newspapers were supported by readers, advertisers and public notices. That worked when downtowns were strong, businesses were locally owned and advertising decisions were made by people who lived in town.

The local hardware store bought an ad because its owner lived here, knew the newspaper and understood that supporting local institutions was part of doing business in the community.

When that store becomes one location in a regional or national chain, the advertising decision may be made hundreds or thousands of miles away — if there is any local advertising at all.

The store may still be here. The advertising dollars are not.

At the same time, more local advertising dollars are flowing to social media and other digital platforms. Those companies can sell clicks. But they do not cover city council meetings, county budgets, school boards, youth baseball or print every kid on the honor roll.

Newspapers must modernize. We have to make our websites better, improve our digital products, reach readers in new ways and become more efficient.

But technology alone cannot replace a strong local business base.

Philanthropy can help. Foundations can fund reporting projects, student journalism, technology and innovation. But grants are a bridge, not a permanent road for most community newspapers.

There is another part of the equation that deserves more attention.

Local newspapers have spent decades providing public-service information that government agencies and nonprofit organizations need communities to see — often at no cost.

There is an important difference between news and public information.

Reporters should decide what is news. Government agencies should not expect a news story to replace a communications budget.

If an agency needs the public to understand a tax program, election, health service, school initiative or government program, it should budget to communicate that information through trusted local media.

The same is true for nonprofits.

A news release is not a communications plan. If telling people about available services or important community work is part of the mission, telling that story should also be part of the budget.

Some states have started to act, creating tax credits and other programs to help protect local journalism jobs.

Congress should move, too.

The Community News and Small Business Support Act would help keep or expand local coverage in rural communities while also helping small businesses advertise in their local market.

That matters because local stores are fighting their own battle.

They cannot compete online against Amazon, national chains and big-box retailers with enormous advertising budgets and sophisticated digital marketing operations.

Helping small businesses advertise locally could strengthen downtown businesses and local news coverage at the same time.

Saving local news is not about nostalgia.

It is about whether communities can still make informed decisions, preserve their shared history and hold those in power accountable.

A community without a newspaper does not become better informed. It becomes more dependent on rumor, social media, press releases and outside narratives.

It becomes less informed, less connected and easier to mislead. Accountability weakens. Civic engagement declines. And gradually, a community loses part of its shared identity.

Newspapers are not dead. But they are fragile, and they are under pressure.

People still read newspapers. They still value public notices. They still rely on local newspapers to understand their communities.

In other words, they still matter.

Maybe now more than ever.

Robb Hicks is a third-generation Wyoming newspaperman and publisher of the Buffalo Bulletin. In 2025, Hicks, his wife Jen Sieve-Hicks, and Rob and Shaylee Mortimore stepped in after eight Wyoming newspapers abruptly closed in 2025. Together, they reopened the papers, restored local news coverage and kept those communities from becoming news deserts. Today, their growing newspaper group is focused on finding sustainable ways to preserve strong, locally owned journalism in rural communities.

The Canton Garden Club welcomed district garden clubs to Canton for a special celebration marking 90 years of planting roots and beautifying the community.

With support from Canton Tourism, the celebration brought together garden club members and community leaders from across the state. Guests were welcomed by the mayor, the state garden club president and other statewide leaders.

The Canton Garden Club also recognized the contributions of past state Garden Club President Daisy Ann Stewart and her family. Special thanks were extended to Stewart’s son, Johnny Stewart, who provided the venue for the luncheon, and her granddaughter, Cheyenne Stewart, who shared stories about her grandmother and great-grandmother and their contributions to Canton’s beautification efforts.

As part of the celebration, the club unveiled a newly refurbished mural on the side of Mitch Tyner’s restaurant building. The mural was restored by artist Kimberly Schwarzkopf.

The Canton Garden Club has received numerous awards for its work, and visiting guests praised Canton’s cleanliness and colorful appearance, including its plantings and litter-free streets.

Club members expressed their appreciation to everyone who has supported the organization throughout its 90-year history.

“Canton is a small community, but together we have always moved forward, with one neighbor helping another,” the club said.

all photos Special to The Canton News

The Business Office held its annual procedural training, providing information and important updates to support the district’s financial stability and smooth operations.

Led by new Business and Finance Director Tracy Lewis, the training emphasized collaboration and adherence to established guidelines and procedures to help prevent future issues.

Online research can help, but it needs context. Someone reading about a trusted brand like 888 Casino in 2026 should separate web gaming rules from what happens on a resort floor with ID checks, house limits, and security staff. Casino towns such as Las Vegas, Niagara Falls, Atlantic City, and Macau all have their own rhythm. Some feel casual at 7 p.m. and rowdy at 1 a.m. That switch matters.

There is also the holiday mood. People spend faster when rooms, shows, and steakhouse reservations are prepaid, because the chips feel less like cash. They are cash. A simple rule works: the visitor sets one gambling budget, one food and drink budget, and one ride budget before leaving the room. Three envelopes or three notes in a phone do the job.

Comp programs deserve a closer look. A free buffet is not free if it takes $300 of slot play to earn it. A room upgrade can still carry resort fees, local taxes, or parking charges. Weekend packages deserve suspicion too. A $99 room on a billboard can turn into $168 after resort fees, city tax, and parking. Show tickets carry service charges. Club covers rise after 10 p.m. The best move is to ask for the total price, with fees, before a card comes out. Staff hear the question all night, so there is no need to feel shy about it at the counter either. Tourists who compare online offers sometimes choose Villento Casino for Canadian players, yet a resort desk may follow a different promo calendar, especially during hockey weekends, prize fights, or New Year’s Eve.

Cash planning is dull. Good. Dull keeps the night from turning expensive. ATMs inside casinos charge high fees, and credit card cash advances start interest right away. A visitor who brings a fixed amount, plus a separate card for emergencies, has fewer bad choices at 2:15 a.m.

Check the rules before the first bet

Rules are not decorations. They decide who gets served, who plays, and who gets asked to leave. In Nevada and New Jersey, casino gambling starts at 21. In parts of Canada, it is 19, while Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec set it at 18. Macau casino entry is 21. A passport is usually the cleanest ID for a foreign tourist, though carrying it all night has risks. Some hotels can advise on secure copies, local police advice, and room safes.

Dress codes are rarely tuxedo strict, but they still bite. Beach sandals, sports jerseys, tank tops, or ripped clothing can block entry to clubs, lounges, and high-limit rooms. A tourist can call the venue at 5 p.m. and ask. One minute saves a walk back across the property.

Games have house edges, and some are much kinder than others. Basic strategy blackjack often sits near 0.5% against the player, while double-zero roulette is 5.26%. Slots vary by machine and location. Dealers expect players to know hand signals. In blackjack, a tap asks for a card, while a wave means stand. At roulette, late chips after “no more bets” are refused. Small etiquette errors slow the table and draw stares fast. Before signing up anywhere, a tourist checking the official website of Bodog Casino for players from Canada should read payment rules, not just bonus lines, because the same habit helps at a resort cage. Ask about minimum bets before sitting down. Then watch one round.

Alcohol, noise, and the lost-hour problem

Free drinks do not mean free judgment. Casinos use alcohol to slow time and soften math, so a tourist should pick a drink limit before play starts. Water between cocktails is boring advice because it works. Food first; the midnight line is rarely kind.

Noise is part of the design. Music, machine sounds, and cheering tables make it harder to notice fatigue. Earplugs look odd until the third hour. They help.

The lost-hour problem is real. A phone alarm for dinner, a show, and a final cash check cuts through the room.

Getting around after midnight

Resort towns look walkable on a map. Then heels hurt, sidewalks crowd, and the side street by the garage feels wrong. A tourist should plan the return route while sober. Shuttles, licensed taxis, rideshare zones, and 24-hour desks beat wandering.

Pickup zones can sit far from the main entrance. In Las Vegas, some hotels push rideshare stops into parking levels. In Niagara Falls, winter ice changes the walk. In Macau, ferry and bus timing matters after shows. Small details decide comfort.

A group needs a meeting point that is not “near the slots.” That phrase fails in a casino with 1,500 machines. Better: the dragon statue, north valet, or the nearby coffee shop by the red wall.

Money habits that protect the trip

A night out should not eat the whole holiday. The safest bankroll is money already marked for entertainment, not rent, flights, or tomorrow’s museum tickets. Once it is gone, play stops. No chase.

Table games move fast, so tourists should learn chip colors. In many U.S. casinos, white means $1, red $5, green $25, black $100. Other places differ. Dealers answer questions between hands.

Receipts matter. Currency exchange desks, ATM slips, and win-loss statements help with tax questions later. U.S. gambling wins can trigger forms for nonresidents. A tourist who hits a jackpot should ask for paperwork and photograph the machine number. Practical, not glamorous. Before heading out, write one number: the maximum loss.

Spending that spills onto the block

A mid-size entertainment venue rarely keeps every dollar inside its own walls. Guests arrive early, wait for friends, and fill gaps between shows. That time matters.

Two hours before doors open, the block already changes shape. A sandwich shop adds staff. A parking lot attendant switches on portable lights. Parents check the show time and buy coffee while teenagers compare menus. None of this appears on a casino floor report, but it appears in cash drawers by Monday morning. The pattern repeats after matinees, though the spending shifts toward lunches, gelato, and quick pharmacy stops for families. Search habits reflect the same pattern. A review site might call one top brand named 777 casino Canada and verified by players, while a neighborhood café sees the real spillover when four tables order dessert before heading home.

The chain is visible in invoices. A venue buys ice by the pallet, pays electricians for stage repairs, hires security, rents audio gear, and orders uniforms. During hockey playoffs or festival weekends, even flower shops and sign makers get odd little jobs. Another listing may describe a play in trust brand called Jet Casino ready for 2026, and a local accountant still sees wages, sales tax, and supplier payments moving through town.

Jobs with odd hours and real paychecks

Entertainment work is messy, practical, and local. It includes dealers, ushers, cooks, cleaners, stagehands, projection techs, cashiers, and people who know how to calm a drunk guest without turning one mistake into a police call.

The mix matters. A downtown theater might need only twelve full-time staff on a quiet Tuesday, then add sixty event workers for a concert. A casino floor may run three shifts because weekends do not end at 5 p.m. Those hours suit parents sharing childcare, students, musicians, and retirees who want two nights of paid work.

Training travels too. Someone who learns food safety at a bingo hall can move to a hotel kitchen. A security guard who handles a 2,000-person queue gets experience a spreadsheet cannot teach. Small skills stick. So do tips, overtime, and union contracts where they exist.

Tax receipts without fairy dust

City budgets like entertainment venues because sales taxes, property taxes, license fees, and hotel taxes arrive in different envelopes. A sold-out music hall is not a budget plan by itself. Still, it helps.

The numbers become clearer at street level. If 800 visitors spend $28 each outside the venue, that is $22,400 for nearby businesses before a ticket is scanned. If one quarter of them pay $18 for parking, another $3,600 goes to lot owners or the city. Multiply that by forty busy nights, and the math becomes hard to ignore.

Public costs sit beside the gains. Police overtime, road repairs, noise complaints, and late buses cost money. A smart council measures both sides before offering tax breaks. The best deal is boring on paper: clear hiring targets, local purchasing goals, and a date when subsidies stop.

Main streets gain a second clock

Entertainment venues stretch the trading day. A bakery that closes at 3 p.m. will not care about a late show, but a shawarma counter will. So will a dessert shop, a pharmacy near the taxi rank, and a cheap hotel with clean sheets.

This second clock changes rent. It can save a tired strip mall by filling empty units with restaurants, escape rooms, karaoke bars, and barber shops open late. It can also push out older tenants when landlords chase higher nightlife rents. No one should pretend the pressure is harmless.

Transport decides how wide the benefit spreads. If the last train leaves before the encore, visitors drive away and spend near highways. If buses run thirty minutes longer, workers get home safely and guests linger on the block. Even bike racks matter. Small infrastructure choices decide which businesses catch the crowd.

Risks locals notice first

Residents usually spot problems before consultants do. They hear bass through apartment walls, step around cigarette litter, or wait while cars block a driveway after a show. Complaints are data, not whining.

Good operators treat the neighborhood as part of the venue. They schedule trash pickup before sunrise, publish event calendars, pay for sidewalk cleaning, and give residents a phone number answered by a human during peak hours. A ten-minute fix beats a council hearing.

Local ownership helps, but rules matter more. A venue can be owned by a pension fund in another province and still buy bread from the bakery next door if its lease rewards local sourcing. A family-owned hall can still dodge taxes or ignore noise. Sentiment is a poor audit tool.

The practical test is simple. Before the next license renewal, city staff can ask for three numbers: local payroll, local supplier spend, and complaints resolved within seven days. Then the debate starts with facts. The first spreadsheet should fit on one page and be posted before the meeting next week.

Every few months, dedicated volunteers roll up their sleeves and give their time to help keep Canton clean, welcoming and beautiful. Recently, volunteers with Keep Canton Beautiful and Keep Mississippi Beautiful were out in our community picking up litter, tidying public spaces and showing some love for the place we all call home.

Their work may happen quietly, but it certainly doesn’t go unnoticed. Thank you to the volunteers who continue to invest their time and energy in Canton. Their example is a great reminder that keeping our community beautiful is something we can all take part in—one clean street, public space and act of service at a time.

Early childhood education is a priority for the Mississippi Department of Education, and the Canton Public School District (CPSD) is working to strengthen early learning opportunities for its students.

Shoney Harris, CPSD’s director of literacy and early childhood education, partnered with the Mississippi Department of Education to provide an in-depth look at what high-quality early childhood education should look like in early childhood classrooms.

Harris is committed to helping CPSD scholars develop foundational literacy skills and reach the goal of reading by age five.

The focus on early learning comes as Mississippi continues to see progress in kindergarten readiness and early literacy. In 2024, 67.2% of students in Mississippi’s Early Learning Collaboratives met the state’s end-of-year kindergarten readiness benchmark, compared with 59% in 2015. Additionally, 63.8% of Mississippi kindergarteners met the state’s end-of-year literacy target in spring 2024, up from 57.7% in spring 2022.

Mississippi also continues to emphasize quality in its publicly funded preschool programs. During the 2024-25 school year, 8,076 children were enrolled in Mississippi’s state-funded preschool programs, and the state met all ten of the National Institute for Early Education Research’s quality standards benchmarks.

CPSD is committed to ensuring teachers have the content knowledge, resources and instructional strategies needed to support student success and build a strong foundation for students’ academic journeys.

We can’t read in an echo chamber. There is nothing wrong with reading things we adore, but there are so many worlds to explore through the beauty of books. By reading authors that don’t look like us, we can do as Atticus Finch recommends, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...Until you climb inside of his skin and walk aroundin it.”

With it being Hispanic Heritage Month, I’d love to talk about books written by Hispanic authors.

According to the National Museum of the American Latino, Hispanic Heritage Month is a month-long celebration of Hispanic and Latino history and culture. While we celebrate Hispanic and Latino communities beyond this month, from September 15 to October 15, we give extra recognition to the many contributions made to the history and culture of the United States, including important advocacy work, vibrant art, popular and traditional foods, and much more.

Latinas and Latinos have always held significant roles throughout our country’s history, dating all the way back to the American Revolution. Hispanic Heritage Month is important, because it provides an opportunity to celebrate the integral part the Hispanic/Latino community has had in growing and strengthening our democracy.

Picture book: Pepe and the Parade by Tracey Kyle

This is such a fun way to introduce young readers to the Spanish-speaking community! The story follows Pepe as he attends the Hispanic Day Parade. Mexican, Dominican, Panamanian, Colombian, Honduran, Nicaraguan, Chilean, Puerto Rican, Salvadoran, Guatemalan and Cuban cultures are all represented in the parade.

Middle Grade: Paola Santiago and the River of Tears

This one is so much fun and is in my middle school library! It’s perfect for the spooky season because it tells the story of La Llorona, the weeping woman. Space-obsessed twelve-year-old Paola Santiago and her two best friends, Emma and Dante, know the rule: Stay away from the river. When Paola wants to go test a new telescope and hears something in the reeds, her stargazing evening turns into something she didn’t expect at all.

Beats of Carnaval by Rosália Rodrigo

This one is on my list! First, the cover is stunning, and, second, the premise sounds so so good. According to the publisher, this sweeping historical fantasy set in a lush, Puerto Rico-inspired world, uses magical realism to combine Caribbean carnival culture and the mythology of the Taino - the Indigenous people of the region - in a gripping exploration of community, reclamation, and healing in defiance of a violent past.

As we welcome the month of October and the beginning of the fall season, I want to take a moment to thank the citizens of Canton for your continued support, involvement and commitment to our community. The progress of our city is not accomplished by City Hall alone. It takes the collective efforts of our residents, businesses, churches, civic organizations, schools, community leaders, City employees and the Board of Aldermen. When we work together, we create opportunities, address challenges and continue moving Canton forward.

Our commitment remains clear: Real Positive Change; Progress You Can See, Results You Can Trust.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, encourage early detection, support those affected by breast cancer, and remember the lives that have been impacted by this disease.

This month, we salute the courageous women and men who are currently fighting the battle against breast cancer. Your strength, courage, and perseverance inspire us all. We also extend our heartfelt support to the families, friends, caregivers and loved ones who stand beside those navigating this journey.

We also pause to honor and remember those who have lost their fight. Their lives, love, strength and legacies will never be forgotten. We stand with their families and loved ones as we remember them and the impact they made on the lives of others.

Let October be a reminder that awareness matters, early detection matters and support matters. I encourage everyone to make their health a priority, stay informed and encourage the people you love to do the same.

From the City of Canton, we stand together in hope, strength, remembrance and support.

A Season of Community Pride

Fall brings many opportunities for families and neighbors to come together. Whether attending a school activity, supporting our local businesses, participating in a community event, volunteering or simply spending time with family and friends, I encourage everyone to take pride in being a part of Canton.

I also encourage residents to continue doing their part to keep our neighborhoods clean. A clean and well-maintained community sends a powerful message about who we are and what we value.

Please remember that keeping Canton clean is a shared responsibility. I encourage neighborhood groups, churches, civic organizations, businesses, and individual residents to organize or participate in cleanup efforts throughout our city.

Supporting Our Youth

Our young people remain one of Canton’s greatest investments.

As we move through the school year, I encourage parents, guardians, educators, coaches, churches and community organizations to remain actively involved in the lives of our children.

Our youth need positive examples, safe environments, encouragement, and opportunities to develop their talents. Supporting our students and young people today helps build the leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and community members of tomorrow.

Public Safety: Everyone Has a Role

Public safety continues to be an important priority for the City of Canton. I want to thank the men and women of our police, fire, public works and other departments who work every day to serve and protect our community. I also remind residents that public safety is a partnership. If you see something that may threaten the safety of our community, report it to the appropriate authorities. Please remain aware of your surroundings and continue looking out for your neighbors.

Together, we can help make Canton a safer place to live, work, raise a family, and visit.

Moving Canton Forward

As your Mayor, I remain focused on creating a city where progress is not simply discussed but demonstrated through meaningful work and responsible leadership. We will continue focusing on the services that matter to residents, the appearance of our neighborhoods, economic opportunities, infrastructure, public safety, recreation and the overall quality of life in Canton.

There is still work to be done, and we recognize that progress takes time, cooperation, accountability and consistency. But I believe strongly in Canton and in the people who call our city home.

A Message to Our Citizens

I ask each of you to remain engaged. Attend meetings. Ask questions. Support local businesses. Volunteer. Encourage our young people. Take pride in your neighborhood. Look out for your neighbors. And when opportunities arise to make Canton better, I encourage you to be a part of the solution.

The future of Canton belongs to all of us. As your Mayor, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve, and I remain committed to working with the Board of Aldermen, City employees, community organizations, businesses, schools and residents as we continue building a stronger Canton.

Let’s continue moving Canton forward, TOGETHER.

With appreciation,

Mayor Tim Taylor - City of Canton

The proposed development would include a Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) plant, Ready Mix Concrete (RMC) operations and use of the Grenada Railroad (GRYR) to support the transportation and logistics of materials.

The town hall meeting is intended to provide residents with information about the proposed project and an opportunity to hear directly from company representatives and community leaders. Attendees will be able to ask questions, learn more about the proposed operations and discuss how the development could affect the surrounding area.

Community feedback will also be welcomed as residents learn more about the project and its potential role in the local economy and transportation network.

The meeting will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Madison County Economic Development Authority, 135 Mississippi Parkway in Canton. The event will follow a come-and-go format, allowing residents to attend during the two-hour window.

Residents who live in Canton and surrounding communities are encouraged to attend, ask questions and become informed about the proposed development.

The meeting is open to the public.