What a cold week we’ve just survived. Temperatures dropped to the 30s last week, leaving many of us Southerners shivering.

But with better temperatures over the weekend, we are already feeling warm and fuzzy about the week to come. Let’s review some of the good things about the frigid week first though.

• M. Christopher Brown started work as the new Alcorn State University president. We know it will take Brown a few weeks to get comfortable, but the Alcorn community is certainly glad he’s here and so are we.

• The Natchez Housing Authority donated a van to a local, non-profit group, the D & J Youth Group. The group, led by Joe and Dianne Good, takes children living in the East Woodlawn Subdivision on educational trips each year. It’s great to see this van has more than one life.

• Trinity Episcopal Day School and Cathedral School are thinking green by collecting used paper for recycling. The paper goes to Mississippi River Corporation for recycling. Students are learning important habits, a local business is participating and the environment is benefitting.

• Children gathered at the Vidalia Conference and Convention Center Saturday for the first Kids Helping Kids program. Area children entertained and watched others perform, raising money for the Sunshine Shelter in the process. The event is a great idea and one we hope picks up steam.

Maybe the week to come will end up a bit warmer, just like the hearts of so many area residents.