Columbus Celebrates Local Achievements: Community Awards and New Sports Opportunities

Columbus Celebrates Community Achievements: Roses and Thorns

Columbus has plenty to celebrate in our vibrant community lately, from exciting accomplishments in local businesses to community enhancements. Let’s dive into the latest happenings that are putting a smile on our faces.

Budding Success: Friendly City Books Shines Bright

A big rose for Emily Liner, the proud owner of Friendly City Books, who recently earned the Public Humanities Award from the Mississippi Humanities Council! This is no small feat. Liner received the prestigious Humanities Partner Award, which recognizes individuals and organizations making remarkable cultural contributions through their community efforts. This award highlights the bookstore’s many wonderful activities, like exciting book signings, giveaways, and engaging student reading events.

Since the grand opening of Friendly City Books in 2020, Liner has woven herself into the fabric of our community. She took over the space left by the previous bookstore in Columbus, filling an essential gap and thriving ever since. Her hard work promotes a love for reading and fosters connections among book lovers of all ages. This award shows that Emily has done more than just open a bookstore; she has become a local treasure! Congrats to Emily on this well-deserved honor!

Pickleball Takes Over at Propst Park!

Another round of applause goes to the Columbus City Council, who have just approved an exciting plan to convert most of the tennis courts at Propst Park into Pickleball Courts! With tennis participation dwindling by over 40% over the past decade, it’s clear that this decision was ripe for the picking. Meanwhile, pickleball has skyrocketed in popularity, becoming the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. with over 36 million players and counting!

The smaller dimensions of a pickleball court make it a perfect fit for older adults, while attracting players of all ages! Residents can look forward to a brand-new option for sports at Propst Park, where we’ve long encouraged the city to consider more varied amenities to draw different crowds. This is definitely a step in the right direction.

Aviation in the Community: Aurora Flight Sciences Gives Back

Let’s not forget about the amazing contributions of Aurora Flight Sciences, which has made quite the impact on Mississippi State University’s Advanced Composites Institute. This past year, they’ve donated more than $1 million worth of composite materials, supporting the education and training of future engineers. Some of these bright minds may even find a place at Aurora in the future!

These materials are also helping MSU’s rocketry team, the Space Cowboys, boosting their competitive edge in national competitions. Aurora Flight Sciences has always been a pillar of our community, providing jobs and supporting local schools and government. Their generosity shines a light on their commitment to being a responsible corporate neighbor.

In closing, it’s a wonderful time to be part of Columbus. Between the accolades for local heroes, new sports opportunities, and ongoing support from businesses, our city is truly blossoming.