Temporary Closure Of Cossar Rekindles Calls For Improvements

By Editor | March 17, 2026 |

Oakland News
By Linda Aldy

We are excited to announce that Oakland has received another grant. We are waiting to hear this morning about yet another one. (Fingers crossed!) Communities Unlimited has awarded us a grant to bring together our faith-based communities to potentially create a huge core of people to further strengthen our community. We are so grateful to CU and its funder, Trust for Civic Life, for believing in Oakland and our vision.

Last week I wrote about the delay of opening Cossar State Park after the ice storm. That column generated more feedback than any I’ve written. Sadly, there really doesn’t seem to be an opening date available. Cossar isn’t the only one.

————————

From the Mississippi State Parks Facebook post on March 12 (no update since then):

“George P. Cossar, John Kyle, J.P. Coleman, and Wall Doxey State Parks remain closed until at least March 31.

Closures have been extended until contractors can get in to address hanging limbs, ground cleanup and any repairable structural issues. Wall Doxey still doesn’t have power to its cabins. We hope to have another update at the end of the month.”

————————

However, the ice storm and delay have resurfaced strong dissatisfaction with the state funding and maintenance of Cossar. There is a growing mood from my readers to join together to try to address this. Callers also want the restaurant to be brought back. If you are interested in being included in this discussion, which may include a Day at the Capitol next year, please email your contact information (I need your name, mailing address, email address, text numbers, and phone numbers if different from your text number) to oaklandarea
chamber@gmail.com or you can leave a message at (601) 853-3942.

Be sure to include your name as well! We will get organized and include you in what we are doing. To adequately prepare for the 2027 Legislative Session, we will need to start planning within the next few months.

I was just heartbroken to learn of the death of Zandra Walker. There have been and will be many accolades and memories about her. She certainly represented Water Valley with a big heart. As we were forming the Oakland Area Chamber, Zandra was one of the first people I sat down with. She was such a source of great information and was excited that we were doing this in Oakland. Much love to her family and all who are at a loss without her in your world.

Our family gathered this past week, coming in from across the country, to say farewell to Richard Sosebee and be with Ginny and Andrew. Even though they are members of Oakland Methodist, the service was held at Batesville Methodist and for good reason. The church was packed there. The impact of Richard and Ginny and Andrew and wherever they have lived, worked, or played was on full display.

There was a Jimmy Buffett-style reception following at the Ice House and it was packed as well. I had the chance to see and visit with so many people with Oakland connections. I saw, but did not get to visit with, the Fly girls, Ann Kirk and Betty Neal. I always looked up to them as a kid on the school bus.

I did get a little visiting in with the wonderful Donnie Toole. I want to be as elegant as Donnie when I grow up. It always does my heart good to be in the same room as Kathy Tippit Burkhalter. I don’t think there is a sweeter person anywhere. There were so many others there that I only got to say hello to before the crowd pushed us along our way.

As all of my sisters were in town for this, we had some lively and fun discussions including about social media and cell phone usage. Sister Martha assured Mother (Margaret Ross) that she was as fast as Facebook at being in the know and delivering the news. Martha also found some napkins in Mother’s collection that said “I’m having people over later to stare at their phones if you want to come by.” All these communications channels have pluses and minuses, but personal connection is the most important.

Increased communication technology has also increased scams. The bad guys are getting quicker and smarter. Don’t fall for ANY calls, text messages, or emails that ask you to share personal information. Don’t fall for messages that tell you there is a warrant out for your arrest for missing jury duty or failing to pay a traffic fine. Hang up and call the Sheriff’s Office, the Police Department, the bank, or whoever is trying to steal your hard-earned money or savings. A law officer has no authority to collect money, only the courts do. So, if someone pretending to be an officer says you should pay them, don’t fall for it.

The newest ruse is that the crooks are using artificial intelligence to create the voices of your children, grandchildren, and friends. They sound just like the people they pretend to be. The FBI says they are putting out tens of thousands of these scam calls per minute.

Scammers like AI so much they are replacing the callers in their call centers. DO NOT GIVE OUT your information over the phone. DO NOT GIVE gift cards or money or bank account information to anyone. Have a family “safe word” that you can ask for if someone calls you and asks you for money. Remember, ALWAYS verify any call that asks for money. Simply say, “I’m going to hang up and call you back soon.”

Don’t let any caller make you panic, which is what they want you to do.

Kids love to come over to Mother’s and look at her goldfish pond. This week Mahaley Hames and her granddaughter Daisy came over. It just so happened that Mae Whitley Smith from Cleveland, Mother’s great granddaughter, was there so Daisy and Mae Whitley had a great time playing together.

I may not have a column next week as I am taking a long weekend to visit my newest granddaughter in the burbs of Chicago. I haven’t seen her since Christmas and I’m quite worried that she needs to see me in person! She’s 8 months-old and starting to do some amazing things. She needs her grandmother to witness and cheer her on! My son sent me a photo this morning of snow covering their yard and reminded me to bring my coat!

Let me know if you have news to include. Contact me via email at oaklandareachamber

@gmail.com or text or leave a message at 601-853-3942.

Posted in Archived Stories