Lace up your sneakers and make a pledge to live a longer, healthier life! National Walking Day, celebrated April 4, is part of the American Heart Association’s movement to get more people walking—at work and at home. This day calls on all Americans and their employers to incorporate at least 30 minutes of brisk walking into their day. Forrest General is the AHA’s exclusive National Walking Day partner, and is supported by the Pine Belt Wellness Council and the City of Hattiesburg in celebrating National Walking Day as an opportunity to get the Pine Belt moving toward better health!

The front lawn of the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art in Downtown Laurel was a place of fun, entertainment and learning for hundreds of children who gathered for the museum’s annual Spring Break Festival.

The event, held from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, featured critters from the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science and a  variety of art projects including beaded jewelry, butterfly puppets, face painting, an alligator mural and paper marbling. Jones County Junior College student Kristie Reddoch provided musical entertainment for the event that was free to the public.