RUTHIE ROBISON | The Greenwood Commonwealth

Author Role

Managing Editor

A moonflower bloom quickly unfurls, and within a few minutes, it's open completely.

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Blooming in the moonlight
By RUTHIE ROBISON - Managing Editor
Sat,08/22/20-2:21AM , 484 Reads
Susan Spiller’s garden is causing quite a buzz.

People have been coming out to her home at nightfall to watch the large blooms on the moonflower bushes in her yard pop open and fill the air with a sweet aroma.
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Pillow grad: 'Kind of a shock' that design could end up on flag
By RUTHIE ROBISON - Managing Editor
Wed,08/19/20-2:08AM , 321 Reads
Among the final five designs selected Tuesday by the Mississippi state flag commission are two featuring a magnolia flower created by a former Greenwood resident.

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Sitting on her front porch with her son, Eldridge “Phil” Cole, left, is Glenda Cole, who recently made her final house payment. Cole became a partner with the Greenwood-Leflore Fuller Center for Housing, formerly the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity, in 1999, when she moved into her home.

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A place to call home
By RUTHIE ROBISON - Managing Editor
Sat,08/15/20-2:49AM , 526 Reads
Glenda Cole says partnering with the Greenwood-Leflore Fuller Center for Housing has been a blessing.

When she recently made her final mortgage payment on her home, Cole said she felt a mixture of joyful emotions.
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Casey Barrentine holds a 2-year-old girl she met while on a mission trip with her church, Hillview Baptist, in Chicago. Barrentine enjoys helping people, especially those in need.

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Thompson store manager, ex-teacher loves meeting people
By RUTHIE ROBISON - Managing Editor
Tue,08/11/20-1:38AM , 290 Reads
Casey Barrentine says she finds happiness in helping others.

That’s evident by the way she talks about the customers she assists as the Thompson Machinery Cat rental store manager and the people in need she helps through her volunteer and mission work.

“I’ve always had a big heart, and I’ve always had a caring heart,” she said.
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Wednesday, February 25, 2026

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