From Magnolia Bluffs Casino earning prestigious recognition for its outstanding engineering to the Natchez-Adams School District cutting its energy costs by an impressive 21 percent, it’s safe to say Natchez had some shining moments last week.

So before you pour that second cup of coffee and check your March Madness bracket, take a moment to look back on some off-court highlights from last week:

4 Natchez-based engineering company Jordan, Kaiser & Sessions and Jackson-based Burns Cooley Dennis Inc. were recognized Thursday at the American Council of Engineering Companies of Mississippi banquet for their construction of the Magnolia Bluffs Casino. Earning the Grand Award and first-place Members Choice Award, the casino was awarded for its innovativeness, social and economic contribution, complexity and exceeding owners expectations.

 4 Thanks to The Friends of Delta Music Museum — and rallying from a few other local partners — the Delta Music Museum may be able to maintain its current hours of operation through June.

Due to a $1 million mid-year budget cut from the state, many Louisiana museums have scaled back operations significantly. However, because the Delta Music Museum is such a valuable tourism resource, donors have come forward — namely Ferriday resident and former Secretary of State Al Ater — to pitch in for the museum’s survival.

4 NASD has a strict policy when it comes to saving energy — and the policy paid off in a big way. By participating in Cenergistic, an energy management program, the district saved $672,170 over the last few years This saving is huge — and NASD Superintendent Frederick Hill said the school board plans to use that money for various school improvements.

Those highlights only skim the surface of last week’s accomplishments. We can’t wait to see wonderful feats this week holds.