No wonder Jimmy Carter lived to be 90 &045; he was one more swell fella! I loved to yak with him all along. But it sure saddened me last week when the good ole guy passed away.

We loved to bump into each other and talk everything from sports (Jimmy was a fine athlete years ago) to politics. This was especially true when he was an Adams County supervisor and I was Adams County tax collector.

Walter Brown, city attorney, hit the nail on the head when he said Jimmy &8220;had so many friends.&8221; I know he was my friend, day in and day out and all the time I was an elected official.

My heart goes out to his wonderful family &045; we’re going to miss our down-to-earth, everyday friend and buddy. Jimmy Carter was a natural, and I don’t mean a natural politician &045; I mean an everyday, good guy. God bless you Leona and all the family of a good man.

I little aside right here, then some more sports: &8220;hand salute&8221; to everybody’s buddy, Forest Persons, who is also truly everybody’s &8220;Citizen of the Year&8221; with The Natchez Democrat and all its readers!

Forest has been in Natchez since he was transferred in 1981 with his company to our fair city. Man, has Natchez been glad that happened. Not to give you the bighead, Forest, but folks like you around here. My congratulations and compliments, old buddy &045; I don’t know of anyone who would beg to differ. We like you, that’s all. Ole buddy again.

And to the person or persons that nominated me for one of The Democrat’s Unsung Heroes 2004, I don’t feel worthy, but I appreciate your confidence.

I was born in Natchez (Charity Hospital) April 7, 1923. Natchez is my home, I live it and I don’t care about living anyplace else. Say what you want to, but our town is a great town for all the good things of life.

I often ride out Elm Street way (where I was raised with my two brothers Herman and Billy) and a black lady, Wilimena Parker, helped us make it after Mama died in 1935. Talking about caring about someone &045; Wilimena loved us. She just did, that’s all.

The point is: Most people care about others. Wilimena was sweet as she could be &045; she wouldn’t let us run the streets without some supervision. We soon realized that she was concerned. We loved her. Still do.

Gotta get on with this, but I did so much want to say those things. Don’t forget your roots. And particularly people like Wilimena Parker.

Super Bowl Sunday…this Sunday, that is, in Houston at Reliant Stadium. The big game of all big games will feature the New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers. That might not grab some fans, but something tells me it’ll be a good-un.

I’m afraid to pick a winner, but I do believe it will be a really fine game. I just wish I could be in Houston for the game.

Why don’t I just go on and play my hunch and get on out of here. If I’m gonna go that I’m going along with the New England Patriots. It won’t cost me a penny to say I believe New England will win 31-14. Don’t bet on it, though.

Glenvall Estes is a longtime columnist for The Natchez Democrat.