As part of an annual event, New Yorkers this weekend got aglimpse of life in the Magnolia State thanks the Mississippi Picnicin Central Park.

More specifically to Southwest Mississippi, some picnic visitorsfound out about the quality of life available here in Brookhaventhanks to the efforts of Kaye Burton, chamber of commerce programdirector, and Bill Sones, president of the Bank of Brookhaven.

Brookhaven’s cause was also aided by a well-known Columbusresident who’s been in Homeseekers Paradise this year attending theMississippi School of the Arts. Well, Jasmine Murray was away fromBrookhaven a little while this year appearing on some populartalent show called “American Idol.”

In years past, MSA Chorale students’ collective talents havetaken them to New York for appearances at Carnegie Hall. Now,Murray’s individual talents and success on “Idol” are taking her toplaces – like being featured in Big Apple events – she probablyonly dreamed of just a few years ago.

With help from promotional events such as the MississippiPicnic, MSA’s star continues to rise and more of the world isexposed to the quality arts education that is available inMississippi.