Brookhaven native, restaurateur and television chef Katie Dixon will be the featured speaker at the 27th annual Wesson Chamber of Commerce membership banquet.

The banquet is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Thames Center at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. While an expert chef and a past contestant on both Fox’s “Master Chef” and the Food Network’s “Food Network Star,” Dixon is coming to share her story with the audience, not her cooking.

As owner of the Birdhouse Café, which she opened two years ago this week, Dixon plans to talk about the process of growing a successful business and the difficulties of “stepping out of your comfort zone with new ideas,” she said.

“I fail sometimes and I get back up and try again. It’s important to be able to do that and know that with success and anything great in life there are going to be times that are very trying,” she said. “You have to be a visionary and be able to see around that and see through it to get to the other side.”

Below is a look back at a few more good news stories.

• An organization dedicated to putting an end to human trafficking is hosting a Be Free Women’s Event Saturday. It’s called SWAT Ministries International, with SWAT standing for Spiritual Warriors Against Trafficking. The organization, founded by Brookhaven locals Chrissy and Jonathan Espy, began in 2012 when the husband and wife duo were serving as missionaries in Thailand. “It’s for women of all ages,” SWAT field representative Ariel Hawley said. Hawley is one of four speakers who will give presentations at the event, along with Espy, local singer and songwriter Andi Cotten and actress Rita Sweatt. The event will be from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Ole Towne Church at 220 South Jackson St. in Brookhaven.

• Tickets are now available for the 53rd Krewe of Ceres Charity Ball, where this year’s king and queen will be revealed.

“The Krewe of Ceres Charity Ball is such a festive event and an opportunity to showcase some of Lincoln County’s outstanding young men and women,” Krewe of Ceres President Stephany  Smith said. The theme this year was announced at a Jan. 9 reveal party — “Phantom of the Opera.” Tickets are $50 and can be purchased by calling 601-757-6141. The Krewe of Ceres is a non-profit organization, and Miller said the money raised from ticket sales will go to worthy causes in Brookhaven and Lincoln County. This year, Boy Scouts of America Troop 119 was chosen as the King’s Choice charity, and the Brookhaven Animal Rescue League was chosen as the Queen’s Choice charity.

• Brookhaven Academy senior goalkeeper Olivia Lewis signed a letter-of-intent Friday with the Copiah-Lincoln Community College soccer program during a ceremony in the school library.

Lewis had her senior season cut short by an elbow injury suffered midway through the year. Her play in goal was a big part of BA making two straight playoff appearances and her high school coach says her best soccer is in the future.

“Olivia has only been playing soccer for three years,” said Mark LeBlanc. “She has a lot of potential as she’s still learning the position. She has excellent hands and quickness. She’s aggressive and not afraid to play outside the box.”