Eupora ‘home’ to those inside city as well as county residents
As a young child, I remember Eupora looking like the accompanying photo. This picture was taken back in the ’50s.
First named Early Grove, the land now known as Eupora was established in 1889 near the tracks of the Georgia Pacific Railroad. The railroad’s presence was very beneficial as it provided stimulation to business as well as agriculture in the area.
At the time the tracks for the Georgia Pacific Railroad were being laid, a gentleman named Jim Eudy and his wife Eupora housed some of the early engineers working on the rails. During that time, the engineers would hear Jim Call his wife’s name, “Eupora,” and were in such awe of the name that they declared the name of the city to be Eupora and it stuck.
The original depot was constructed in 1889. In 1999, the building was acquired by the City of Eupora, who partnered with the Mississippi Department of Transportation as well the Eupora Beautification Committee in restoration of the building making it a landmark.
Currently the city’s population of close to 2,300 residents continues to have a lot to be proud of. Within the boundaries of Eupora we have excellent schools including a vocational technical center. We have tennis courts, baseball and football fields, businesses and restaurants.
We have churches, a city hall, law enforcement, medical facilities, banks, a newspaper office and a library. We have nearby Whites Creek Lake, which boasts a walking track as well as opportunity for boating, fishing, skiing, swimming, picnicking, or just getting lost in the tranquility of the rippling of the waves.
Our town represents the comforts of home indeed. Thank you all for making Eupora a great place to live, work and retire.
Becky J. Dean
Eupora
Stand up against attempts to ban books
As an American who cherishes freedom, I am deeply concerned about the recent trend of banning books. Banning books not only goes against our country's commitment to liberty, but also against our rugged individualism that has long been a defining feature of our American identity.
We are supposed to live our lives fighting for liberty for ourselves and our neighbors, like the founding fathers. I find it troubling that we are allowing such blatant infringement on our First Amendment rights.
Americans now like to talk a good game about freedom, but we need to be good at it too. That means respecting the right of individuals to read and think for themselves, even if we disagree with their ideas. Book banning undermines this core principle and sets a dangerous precedent for future censorship.
It is ironic that we are so quick to defend the Second Amendment, which protects our right to bear arms, but we ignore attacks on our freedom of speech and expression. The First Amendment, which is listed first for a reason, is the most fundamental part of our democracy and should be given the greatest level of protection.
Let us embrace the American tradition of free thought and expression. Let us be confident in our ability to engage in honest debate and consider different perspectives. By doing so, we can continue to uphold our values of liberty and democracy. Book banning is a direct violation of all this.
I urge our leaders and fellow citizens to recognize the importance of the First Amendment and to stand up against any attempts to infringe upon it. Vote for leaders who value the First Amendment, who value your freedoms and fight banning books.
Joseph McCain
Noxapater
