I was reminded again this week, as I am most weeks, how thankful I am to call Vicksburg home, how much this community has to offer and how much members of this community care about each other.

On Tuesday, the routine of our lives came to a screeching halt, thanks to Mother Nature.

Early morning snowfall, which had only a 40 percent chance of happening when we all went to bed the night before, started falling with a vengeance early Tuesday morning and we, out of an abundance of caution, along with most other businesses in Vicksburg, closed up shop and sent most employees home.

Ours is a newspaper, so we don’t ever actually close. A skeleton staff of about seven of us — the newsroom faithful and our circulation department’s Stacy Hartley — stayed to finish putting out Wednesday’s paper.

Most every business closed, and here we were at work, really wanting some lunch with very few prospects of having any, thanks to the snow.

As fate would have it, David Day and his Historic Klondyke Trading Post restaurant were open, and we sent Courtland Wells, who was out and about taking snow pictures, to pick up a bag full of the best burgers and fries in town. Thank you, Klondyke!

The wintry mix ended about mid-afternoon on Tuesday and, because of dry conditions, much of the roads dried quickly and our carriers were able to deliver Wednesday’s newspaper on time.

Unfortunately, the Rotary Club of Vicksburg’s Centennial Gala was scheduled for Tuesday night and Gov. Phil Bryant was set to be keynote speaker. Because of the weather, the event was postponed until Thursday night. The governor had another commitment on Thursday and was unable to attend.

However, Rotarians weren’t going to let a change of plans put a damper on celebrating its 100 years of service and rich history here.

Like the hearty Vicksburgers we are, almost 200 came out Thursday to hear Rotary District Governor Bill Walker and Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann, who pinch-hit for the governor as keynote speaker.

The stars simply aligned and we had a wonderful night together. Rotarians look forward to seeing each other every Thursday at our meetings, but we rarely get to meet and talk with spouses and significant others. It was fun simply chatting and laughing together. Listening to long-time members talk about old times and their recollections of members who have passed was heartwarming. Hosemann shared his memories of delivering calendars for the late Edley Jones, who was a long-time Rotarian who cherished his service and his club membership.

Rotarians seemed particularly happy to see Richard Cowart, who attended the gala Thursday night with his wife, Phylis. Typically a faithful Rotary meeting attendee, Cowart has missed for the last several months because of an illness. He’s now well on his way to a full recovery, and we look forward to soon seeing him again on Thursdays.

The spirit of community here is heartwarming. It’s a great time to be in Vicksburg.

Jan Griffey is general manager of The Vicksburg Post. You may reach her at jan.griffey@vicksburgpost.com.