Vicksburg neighborhood sends out messages of hope

Published 4:09 pm Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Desmond Tutu once said, “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” It is words like these of Tutu’s that can bring strength and optimism during troubled times.

With the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, life has admittedly become more stressful and uncertain, leading some to take steps to remind others brighter days are ahead.

Sunday, residents in the Twin Creeks neighborhood decided to share their expressions of faith and hope by holding a “Chalk Your Walk,” which encourages homeowners to either draw or write encouraging messages or Bible verses on their driveways in chalk.

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The program was shared on social media throughout the week, with a number of areas of Vicksburg and Warren County participating.

Holly Hood, a homeowner in Twin Creeks, said she had seen where other communities were holding a “Chalk Your Walk” and thought it would be something they could do.

“I thought it would be a fun, activity that would spread positive, uplifting messages,” Hood said.

In a neighborhood, “bustling with activity,” from riding bikes to visiting outside, Hood described her neighborhood as friendly and welcoming.

“If you need a cup of sugar or even something that’s not so common on everyone’s pantry shelf, you can pretty much count on someone in this neighborhood having it,” she said.

And with this type of comradery, she reached out to those in her community through GroupMe, a group messaging app, and received positive feedback from everyone. One of the neighbors even suggested they do Bible verses, Hood said, so that’s what they did.

Neighborhood homeowner, Bess Averett, said there are 43 children who live in Twin Creeks and many of them helped with the creative and colorful messages.

“It’s been fun writing the words,” Everett Sadler, 6. said. He added it had been his mom, however, who had been the one to pick out the Bible verse they wrote at the end of their driveway.

Addie Clay, 9, said she was excited to participate.

“When people come by, we can spread the Word,” she said of the messages written throughout the neighborhood.

Averett’s 11-year-old daughter, Annslee, said “Chalk Your Walk” had made her feel happy to do something for others.

“This is our way of supporting and encouraging others during the virus,” Annslee said.

This was the second time the neighborhood had held a “Chalk Your Walk.” They also held one the previous weekend.

“It was really neat to see when I was driving out of the neighborhood the next morning. It really made me smile,” Hood said. “I hope it made someone else smile too. I’m glad we did it again today.”

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

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