The Blessing of the Fleet | Ross Barnett Reservoir | 2012

Produced by Jim Albritton | The Jackson Yacht Club's annual "Blessing of the Fleet" at the Ross Barnett Reservoir in central Mississippi brought out boats of all sorts, including power, sail and paddle boats. Rev. Kyle Seage from St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Jackson bestowed blessing on boats and their crews and celebrity judges Melanie Christopher, Bobby Cleveland and Malcolm White judge decorated boats as they floated by the host sailboat owned by Will and Lisa Manuel.

Blessing of the Fleet at the Ross Barnett Reservoir

Power, sail and paddle boats of all sorts participated in the Jackson Yacht Club's "Blessing of the Fleet" at the Ross Barnett Reservoir in Ridgeland, Mississippi. The annual event signals the unofficial start of boating season in central Mississippi. The Rev. Kyle Dice Seage of St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Jackson bestowed the blessing from aboard Lisa and Will Manuel's sailboat anchored near the Jackson yacht Club. Celebrities, including Melanie Christopher, Malcolm White and Bobby Cleveland, judged decorated boats.  

The Fastest Two Minutes in San Francisco

Produced by Jim Albritton | A fast look at the streets of San Francisco.

St. Joe's Dance Marathon Benefits Batson | A 'Saturday Night Fever' Dance Lesson

Produced by Jim Albritton | St. Joseph Catholic School's Dance Marathon raised thousands for Batson Children's Hospital. That story is coming soon. In the meantime, here's a dance lesson for everyone. 

The Fastest Two Minutes in New Orleans

Produced by Jim Albritton | A fast look at a few hundred reason why the saints went marching in to America's coolest city. 

Teamwork and Competition Highlight the 2012 Dragon Boat Regatta on the Ross Barnett Reservoir

Produced by Jim Albritton | The Dragon Boat Regatta at the Ross Barnett Reservoir in Ridgeland, Mississippi has become a major event, drawing a diverse group of companies and organizations together for a fun, friendly team-building day on the water. | http://madisoncountychamber.com

572 Photos of the 2012 Dragon Boat Regatta

There are 572 photos of the 2012 Dragon Boat Regatta at Old Trace Park on the Ross Barnett Reservoir in Ridgeland, Mississippi in three Newsocracy Facebook albums:

Album One | Album Two | Album Three

You don't have to be a member of Facebook to view any of the photos, but it would be great if you "like" our Newsocracy Facebook page. And a comprehensive video news story about the event is coming soon. 

Columbus Air Force Base’s ‘Pilot for a Day’ Program Leaves a Paralyzed Boy on Cloud Nine

Produced by Jim Albritton | Six-year-old Barkley Jenkins, paralyzed in a January 2012 car accident, had the time of his life as “Pilot for a Day” at Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi. The Charleston, Mississippi native, a patient at Batson Children’s Hospital in Jackson, toured the base and was honored at each stop by pilots and crew.

Go to our Facebook Photo Gallery to see photos of the Columbus AFB and their "Pilot for a Day" program. Click here to see all our photo albums. 

Super Moon 2012 | The Video

Produced by Jim Albritton | A look at super Moon as it rises over the Ross Barnett Reservoir in Brandon, Mississippi. Not to be outdone, the sunset was super, too. 

Super Moon (and Super Sun) | May 5, 2012

Move over "super moon," there's competition in town. Tonight's sunset at the Fannin Landing at the Ross Barnett Reservoir in Brandon, Mississippi was amazing. Here are 29 photos of a super sunset and the much heralded "super moon."

If you like our sunset or moonrise photos, "like" us, too, at http://facebook.com/newsocracy. See all our sunsets in our Facebook Albums. And click here to see our sunset video. 

Para Surfing in Gulfport, Mississippi | April 2012

Produced by Jim Albritton | Three para surfers use sea and air to reach to fly over the waves near Ken Combs Pier in Gulfport, Mississippi.

The Mississippi Gulf Coast | From Sea to Space and Everywhere in Between | 2012

Produced by Jim Albritton | A video tour of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, including cities, casinos, ports, bays and hotels all along the world's largest man-made beach. Plus a look at NASA's nearby Stennis Space Center.

A First Look at the Margaritaville Casino and Restaurant on Biloxi, Mississippi's Back Bay

A first look at the the new Margaritaville Casino & Restaurant on Biloxi, Mississippi's Back Bay, set to open soon. If you like our photos, "like" us, too, at http://facebook.com/newsocracy.

American Idol Alum, Miss Mississippi Contestant Jasmine Murray Visits Batson Children's Hospital

Produced by Jim Albritton | Jasmine Murray, a season eight American Idol finalist and current Miss Mississippi contestant, visited Batson Children's Hospital. The Columbus, Mississippi native sang three songs for patients in the Jackson hospital's lobby and spent time with each patient afterwards.

Mirror Box Therapy Helps a Georgia Woman After Near-Fatal Accident Claimed Her Left Arm

Produced by Jim Albritton | An innovative form of therapy that uses mirrors to retrain the brain is helping a Georgia woman recover from an amputation after a near-fatal auto accident nearly claimed her life.