Community

You have to see...Nell Perry's tulips in beautiful bloom at 1015 Lamar Street. Photo by Taylor Mitchell, Sunday Leader

Submit your Favorite spring pictures to spring@nextedmedia.com.

Check the community page frequently for all the beautiful spring pictures.

By Van Colotta
The Leader

Billy Perry has probably squeezed what would be 10 lifetimes for the average person into his 67 years.

But Perry is not your average person.

A man who has risen from the most modest beginnings to become one of Mississippi's most successful self-made businessmen, Perry has practically done it all. From cutting lawns in the sweltering Delta heat to selling cats, dogs and even monkeys from a pet shop, this former self-described milkman for Denton's Dairy has dined with governors and traveled the world.

"I've been a lot of places, but I keep coming home," he said. "There's no place like Cleveland, Mississippi."

And it is in his beloved Cleveland where Perry has left his mark.

While he is now slowly matriculating out of the commercial real estate market, Perry has played a vital role in keeping Cleveland's downtown business district vibrant and its buildings occupied for more than a quarter of a century. He is extremely proud of the Billy and Mary K Perry Critical Needs Fund he established with an endowment to Delta State University several years ago. He has been the incubator for countless business start-ups in the community and is always willing to offer his advice to fledgling entrepreneuers. Yet most of Perry's charitable contributions and acts of kindness go unnoticed and untold.

Celtic Crossroads, an Irish music show, will make its Cleveland premiere on Sunday, March 29, at 2 p.m. and on Monday, March 30, at 7.30 p.m. in the Bologna Performing Arts Center.

Just when you think that you have seen the best that Irish music has to offer, a fresh new show from Ireland appears and takes the art form to an entirely new level.

Celtic Crossroads presents Irish music like never before, set to do to Irish music what Riverdance has done to Irish dance. Three outstanding seasons of performances in Galway, Ireland, saw Celtic Crossroads enjoying standing ovations every night. The show has received numerous accolades in its hometown and country:

“Elevating Irish music to an exciting and electrifying dimension,” wrote "The Galway Independent."

MORRIS'
TALENT
AMAZING

By David Johnson
The Leader

Kerri Morris is an artist, but you won't find her work hanging on anyone's wall or inside a ritzy gallery.

And you likely never will.

That is, unless there is some kind of celebration or party taking place.

Morris, you see, is not your typical artist. She doesn't make paintings or drawings. She doesn't do pottery. In fact, she's never taken a single art class.

But an artist she is.

As for Morris' canvas? Well, it is as unique as her talents.

Not many artists apply their trade to sugar and flour.

But Morris does.

Cleveland awakes to a beautiful Sunday morning snowfall.
Photo by Judy Mitchell of TruDelta Designs

Submit your March 1, 2009 snowfall pictures to snow@clevelandnewsleader.com.

Check the community page frequently for all the beautiful snowfall pictures.

Black History Program

The Bolivar County Library, 104 South Leflore Ave., will have a Black History Program on Monday, February 23, 2009 at 4:00 p.m.

MDCC Beauty Revue Mississippi Delta Community College's Top Ten Beauties in the Beauty Revue were (L to R): Maria Tijero, Jennifer Sykes, Anna Melton, Mary Buckley, Leah Barger (Most Beautiful), Hannah Schlatter, Gabriela Zuniga, Laura Kyle, Olivia Giachelli, and Jennifer Borgognoni.

The 100 Black Men of Bolivar County, Inc. will present the 17th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration to be held Monday, Jan. 19.

A parade will start the festivities at 10 a.m. beginning at the Cleveland City Hall, followed by a program beginning at 11 a.m. at United Baptist Church located at 1101 Martin Luther King Drive in Cleveland.

This year's theme is titled "Dreaming with the Courage to Act." Contact Mr. Claud Boddie Sr. at 662-347-4975 or Ms. Willena White at 662-645-4394 with any questions.

All parents and faculty are encouraged to attend the Parent Meeting to be held at the Ruleville Central High School cafeteria, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009 at 6 p.m. The topic for the night will be Drug Abuse with Ruleville Police Chief Ben Grant. Refreshments will be served.

St. Mary's Catholic Church in Shelby will host its annual Spaghetti Dinner on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased in advance from church members or at the door. Take-out orders will be available. All are cordially invited. If there are questions, please contact Jane Letchworth, Publicity Chair at 662-398-5166.