Project Presentation (participants only)

Wednesday, May 4th

Want to learn more about LJC? Call the Chamber at (601) 649-3031

A Coat of Paint Can Cover Many Sins

Happy Easter! Yes, I know I am almost a week late, but I didn't get a chance to wish you a Happy Easter in my last e-newsletter. Easter is a fascinating time in a Christian's life. It is a time of reflection and celebration for the ultimate sacrifice our Savior made for everyday sinners like you and me. This Easter was an especially reflective time for me as I was able to enjoy something I have not had time to do in a while (probably because of the almost two year old munchkin running around the house).

Several of you know that I enjoy painting and other artistic outlets. I would venture to say that I enjoy "creating" more than the act of artistic expression. One of my other hobbies is wood working, thus the "create" mindset. Wood working is a skill I picked up over several years from my father and grandfather. Much to my reluctance as a boy, it is time I greatly enjoyed spending with my dad and "Daddy Simp" on Saturday mornings. I often think back fondly on the time we spent together building doll houses for my sister and cousins, cabinets for my grandmother, bird houses for my mother, and clocks and other "goodies" for whomever my grandfather felt deserving of his time and talents.

I am very blessed for the time I spent with my grandfather enjoying one of his favorite passions. My grandfather built grandfather clocks to give each of the grandchildren on their wedding day. I am the only one of five grandchildren who got to build mine with him. It's not yet complete, but stands as a reminder of time spent with someone I loved greatly and shaped so much of my life.

Over the years I learned a great deal from my father and grandfather. Not only did I pick up a love of working with my hands, I also learned a lot about taking one thing (wood), looking at it in a new context, and creating something completely new; something that would be enjoyed by many for years to come. During our time together I also learned a lot about giving to others and using the talents given to us by God for the betterment of others and the community. (Probably if I thought about it long enough, I would say these weekend projects had a lot to do with my getting into community development).

Although I greatly enjoy building projects, the one area of the project I hate is the finishing. I hate filling nail holes. I hate filling gaps. And I hate filling cracks and blemishes in the wood. This disdain for finishing a project is something I probably picked up more from my dad than grandfather. One of my dad's favorite sayings as we finished a project and often opted to paint rather than stain was, "a coat of paint can cover many sins". 

As I would come to realize years later, my dad was (and is) a lot smarter than he led me to believe. Like so many of his quips and sayings, he was teaching me about life as well as teaching in the moment. 

This weekend as I was staining my latest project, (a media cabinet that Ethan can't climb) I couldn't help but think back to all the good times I had with my dad and "Daddy Simp". Sure enough when it came time to filling nail holes and cracks, the saying, "a coat of paint can cover many sins" popped in my head. With each nail hole I was repeating it over and over to myself. 

Luckily, I plowed through the temptation to paint my piece and I must say I think it looks beautiful. I can't help but think though, how easy in life it is for us to "paint" over the nail holes, to cover up the gaps and the short comings of our projects. How easy is it for us to "put our best face forward" but really be crumbling from the inside behind the paint and the façade?

Spring is in the air. Many new businesses are putting on a fresh coat of paint, planting flowers and making their store fronts more attractive as warmer weather welcomes heavier foot traffic. I encourage you to not just put up a fresh coat of paint. Take a look at your business from all angles. Look at your projects and initiatives. Make sure they are sound business models that will grow your business as well as providing a need for our community.

Let's not just glaze over where our businesses and community are lacking, but let's put in the hard work and time. I guarantee if you put in the effort, your project will be twice as rewarding and be a great memory for reflections for years to come.

As always, your comments and feedback are welcome. I am always happy to hear back from readers, whether you want to voice a concern, share a story or toss around project ideas. Thanks for reading!

As many of you know, or have read, Jackie Lee is leaving Laurel Main Street to take a job with the Hattiesburg Downtown Association. I wish her well in her new endeavors. She has done a great job leading Laurel Main Street over the past three years and she will be missed.

The Laurel Main Street board is working to quickly name a successor to the post, but in the meantime previous Laurel Mayor Susan Vincent will be filling in as a volunteer Executive Director. I look forward to working with Susan in this capacity as she will bring with her a wealth of experience and ideas. 

Please help me in wishing Jackie the best and congratulating Susan on this new chapter in Laurel Main Street's history. There are a lot of good things happening in Jones County right now and we are happy to be a part of it!

2010 - 2011 Leadership Recognition

This year we have had a lot of fun with our leadership programs. Our participants have learned a lot and taught me and each other a lot along the way. What I have been so impressed with is their willingness to give back to the community and to enrich the lives of others as they work their projects into the community.

As we get ready to honor these participants at their graduation ceremony next week, I want to take a moment to thank the participants, employers, schools, spouses, parents, donors, sponsors, local elected officials, teachers and councilors, session speakers, tour guides and participants and our Leadership Board Members. This has been an incredible experience for these participants and each of you have played a vital role in crafting the direction these leaders will take to lead Jones County in the future. Thank you.

Leadership Jones County

Team H2O: (Terry Price, Cliff Jenkins, Tonya Madison, Bridget Ryals, Richard Ward) Installing drinking fountains in three local parks in Laurel (Boston, K.C. Bottom, and Cotton Mill).

Difference Makers: (Richard Witty, Mike Hinton, Sarah Ishee, Andy Scott, Gwen Thomas) Building ADA Compliant Restrooms at Ellisville State School Pavilion.

Project Ellisville: (James Johnson-Hill, Brad Clark, Steve Moffett, Deidra Taylor, Katie Walley) Working with the Ellisville Downtown Revitalization Committee to develop branding for the City of Ellisville through an updated website and also the installation of a clock tower in Ellisville's newly renovated Downtown Community Bank Park.

Music Makers­: (Eric Roberts, Brook Gatlin, Brad Kent, Blake Remy, Jerald Ulmer) Installation of a Blues Marker as part of the Mississippi Blues Trail and development of a green space/"blues" park south of the Train Depot in downtown Laurel.

Future Leaders

Pretty Park Project, P³: (Daryl McKines, Catherine Hinton, Reagan Gavin, Kristen Pope, Reese Davis, Erin Morgan) Working with the City of Laurel Department of Parks and Recreation to add trash receptacles and new tennis nets to Daphanie Park.

Late Bloomers: (Christy Garick, Chrisine Vo, Kristin Sullins, Johanna Collins, Mason Robertson, Barbara Chambers) Working with the City of Ellisville to add removable planters around the 4-way stop signs along Court Street in downtown Ellisville.

T.H.E. Team (Teens Helping Educate): (Zack Warren, Sara Kiparizoski, Hannah Lopez,
Kiara Speed, Hunter Estess, Trey O'Neal) Working with the Better Boys and Girls Center of Laurel to tutor students, collect books and raise funds for summer tutoring and reading programs.

Team Hope: (Kaylie Bradshaw, Mary Parker Burson, Marisa Rushton, Allen Holifield, Kristel Rodriguez, Lewis Bateman) Enhancing the "Blues Park" Leadership Jones County team Music Makers is creating in downtown Laurel with benches and plantings.

Team Rescue: (Harrison Thomas, Khadejah Buxton, Lana Ishee, William Wildman, Brandi James, Steve Billingsley) Raising funds and collecting food and supplies for the Animal Rescue League.

Project Presentation
(participants only)
Wednesday, May 4th

Want to learn more about FLJC? Call the Chamber at (601) 649-3031