Area families, along with others throughout the state, will head off the Brookhaven Hansel King Sportsplex later this month with their poles, bait and stringers to participate in a unique fishing rodeo hosted by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP). MDWFP is inviting anglers 15 and younger to youth fishing rodeos across the state. These events are free and provide the opportunity for young anglers to fish in a lake that is well-stocked with catfish. Brookhaven’s fishing rodeo will be on March 23. “Families are invited to come enjoy quality time together in a safe environment,” MDWFP officials say. The pond at Hansel King Sportsplex is part of a Community Fish Assistance Program with MDWFP. The pond is open daily to people who are 14 years old or younger and disabled persons of any age. Anglers can find bass, bream and catfish in the stocked pond.  Daily limits are 10 for bream, five for catfish, 0 for bass and all other species are under the statewide bag limit.

Ever suddenly been transported back in time by just a whiff of a lingering smell in the air? The sight of a house? A quick glimpse of a stranger’s profile who instantly reminds you of someone in your past? Or the taste of a certain food that suddenly takes you back to Grandma’s kitchen. Probably. Unless you suffer with complete amnesia, you have memories. Memories can flare instantly, caused by the basic human senses of taste, smell, touch, sight, and hearing. All of us know what it is like to suddenly relive times in our life that made an impression. Pleasant, anger-filled, or tragic. And the emotions we felt back then? Those same feelings can surge over us with the force of a fifteen-foot ocean wave. You can be sitting outdoors in the middle of a crowd of noisy concert goers, and the sudden powerful aroma of a concert-detesting skunk can make you want to laugh while everyone around you is gagging. All because you’re caught up in the memory of your big brother’s skunk face-off many years ago. Senses kicked into high gear have the ability make a forty-something year old man feel like he’s a first grader again. All because he picks up a piece of white chalk. The cool smooth texture on his fingers, and the powdery non-smell can trigger a memory of being the seven-year-old who back-talked the teacher. Consequences were instant and involved writing the ABCs fifty times on the chalkboard. Which also triggers the memory of the shame and anger that child felt. Similarly, the heady powerful scent of springtime lilacs can bring on childhood memories of cutting an enormous bouquet of those blooms to bring in to Momma. Each time she would smile and faithfully fill a vase with water and plunk in those long-stemmed beauties. Some hours later, you would come in from a day of playing outdoors and find those same flowers wilted and hanging dejectedly over the side of that container. Today, the realization that your mom knew what would happen in just a few short hours makes you smile at her love and tenderness. If memories are that powerful, and they are, then it is truly important to be careful making them. Oh yes, I know we can’t control our surroundings and the people around our family, only allowing a positive and happy environment twenty-four hours a day. But as adults, we need to make some effort at it for our children’s sake – for their tomorrows. Do your best to create a happy home life for your kids. So that when they are your age, those instant pops of memory at a sight, a phrase, or a smell have a lot better chance of bringing a smile to their face.

Brookhaven has a new landmark near the intersection of U.S. Highway 84 and Interstate 55 -- 150-foot cross erected by Easthaven Baptist Church for people seeking hope. In explaining the project, Easthaven Pastor Hal Kitchings quotes  “1 Corinthians 1:18: ‘For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.’ “This is an opportunity to share hope, because that’s where our hope is found — in Christ. The structure will automatically bring encouragement and hope to Christians no matter what they’re going through, and will serve as a place for others to come for hope and encouragement.” The cross is illuminated by bright lights, and will eventually have a garden and benches around it.  “It will be a place for the community to come, where there are lights and other safeguards, to come reflect, pray and meditate, and read the Bible,” Kitchings says. When Kitchings came to Easthaven just a little more than a year ago, he says he cast “a mental picture of what could be fueled by a vision of what should be,” listing several ministry possibilities, including that of a cross like he had seen elsewhere.  People immediately bought into the idea and committed to help fund it.  The cross and the upcoming garden area will be completely funded by donations, including future maintenance. The 50-yard-tall white metal cross is being built by Mike Rozier Construction out of Hattiesburg, a company that has built several of these structures. Though similar crosses exist in other parts of Mississippi, this will be the first in the southern part of the state, and possibly the tallest to-date. A 120-foot-tall cross was erected in 2021 in the Delta on the campus of North Greenwood Baptist Church. To critics who have questioned the church’s spending money and effort on a cross when there are people with other needs, Kitchings says the church is determined not to neglect other ministries for the sake of building the cross, but is adding the ministry of the cross to its other efforts. He points to Acts 1:8, Jesus’ command to be His witnesses at home first, then other parts of the world.  “We’ve always made a great commotion out of the Great Commission,” he says, referring to Jesus’ charge in the Gospel of Matthew to go into all the world making disciples and baptizing. “Missionary C.T. Studd said ‘The light that shines farthest shines brightest near home.’ This is not either/or -- it’s both/and.” Kitchings is excited about the anticipated results of this physical, very visible witness for the gospel of Jesus.  “I’m hopeful. I pray it will reach people we’ll never know this side of heaven.  But God knows.”

By Kara Kimbrough It’s officially spring, which means our electric bills will soon skyrocket as air conditioners began operating at full capacity. Scratch that…on a more positive note, it’s spring – time to get out and explore beautiful spring foliage found throughout Mississippi. Regrettably, many city-dwellers lack easy access to a place to wander along wooded paths filled with blooming dogwood trees, vibrant azaleas and more of spring's beautiful flowering plants and shrubs. Don't worry, though; Mississippi's state parks spread from one end of the state to the other offer the best of spring foliage and so much more. And here’s the best part: seven of Mississippi’s parks were named to Reserve America’s Top 100 Campgrounds in the U.S. Several landed on other “best of” national lists, including one in northeast Mississippi that was named among the nation's Top 25 or Top 50 birdwatching, fishing, kid-friendly and “amazing views” spots, among other accolades. I’m referring to J. P. Coleman State Park in Iuka. In case you haven’t guessed, it was named for our 52nd governor. In Mississippi, there is no shortage of places bearing the name of a former governor, historical figure or as is the case of many of our counties, Native American tribes or derivatives. Coleman, also a state legislator and U.S. judge, is perhaps most remembered for, in 1960 inviting presidential candidate John F. Kennedy to sleep in the Theodore Bilbo bed at the Governor’s Mansion. Ironically, the beautiful park, opened in the mid-1960's and named in Coleman's honor, overlooks the Tennessee River, not the one bearing the name of the state he led from 1956-1960. But enough about history. J.P. Coleman State Park has been recognized for its beautiful scenery, camping amenities and ample fishing and water recreation opportunities in Pickwick Lake, a breathtaking 47,500-acre freshwater lake. The sparkling waters of the lake are filled with bream, catfish and most species of bass, resulting in a prime fishing spot for outdoorsmen. However, ask anymore who’s visited the park and they’ll tell you its most amazing feature is a 50-foot waterfall, Cooper Falls. In simple terms it is an amazing sight to behold. A continuous stream of water rushes over a massive stone wall etched into the scenic landscape and flows into the lake below. The falls alone are deserving of a visit, but if time allows, plan to stay a little longer and enjoy the spacious park filled with natural beauty and plenty of activities for the entire family. For those desiring to stay overnight, the park offers primitive camping sites as well as more comfortable accommodations, including parking pads for RVs, 23 cabins and a 19-unit motel. Many campsites are near the water’s edge, while others are located high above the water on one of the rocky bluffs overlooking the lake. Other activities to enjoy include miniature golf, picnicking and swimming in the lake or the park's pool. Or, take a leisurely stroll through the abundant wooded areas filled with, this time of year, colorful native trees, beautiful flowering plants and several species of birds. Once you visit, it’s easy to understand why, collectively, Cooper Falls, Pickwick Lake and J.P. Coleman State Park draw thousands of annual visitors from not just Mississippi, but around the nation. As spring progresses, I’ll feature a few more of Mississippi’s best places to enjoy spring foliage. In the meantime, let’s enjoy the fleeting balmy days of spring while we can. As we all know, they’ll be gone before we know it. If You Go: J.P. Coleman State Park Where: 613 CR 321, Iuka, MS Admission: Free (separate charges for overnight accommodations) Contact: 662-423-6515 for more information

A few may have dabbled in paints to express their creative sides, but the vast majority became artists last month when Dawn Marks them get in touch with their creative sides at an Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR) workshop on the Wesson Co-Lin campus. Marks gave them the paints and planks from cypress timbers with the border lines of three crosses, a tomb with a rock rolled away and the brights sun and help them go at creating an Easter painting they can be proud to hang in their homes. Co-Lin was the latest stop for Marks, who teaches the painting skills she has honed over the years to children, youth and adults who want to manifest their creative drives in small classes (no more than a dozen students) that assemble at churches, other not-for-profit groups and house parties in southwest Mississippi and Louisiana from Wesson to Houma. Marks offers her classes through Original Cypress, a small home-based company operated by Marks and her husband Mike.  Original Cypress began 15 years ago, selling her cypress works with Louisiana motifs, such as pelicans and swamp scenes, to gifts and crafts stores.  While Marks continues to paint her own works to sell, teaching others to paint has become the main thrust of Original Cypress.  She teachers, on average, five classes a week. It all started in 1983 when Mark's father, a fisherman in the Louisiana bayous, started encouraging his daughter to begin expressing herself as a painter on a wood plank, which he gave her.  For the past 35 years, she hasn't stopped painting, and wood has been her primary medium -- initially on those distinctive structures that grow above the roots of cypress trees, called cypress knees, later on the planks cut from cypress timbers and, occasionally, on old tin. "We have been blessed," she says.  "The classes have really taken off."  Marks sees her teaching as a ministry that provides a venue, where people can enjoy food and fellowship, while "creating something meaningful which they can hang on their walls."  "God has given me this tool to use my talent," she summarizes. Mark's husband dives into Lake Maurepas, adjacent Lake Pontchartrain at New Orleans, to retrieve the cypress timbers -- some thousands of years old, which he fashions into planks and prepares for the painting.  Marks draws the outlines of subject matter on the media for her student painters to add colors.  Many of them are religious in nature, although others are whimsical like one with a deer eating a snowman's carrot nose.  With Mike's help or the assistance for her good friend, Debbie Bertrand, Marks brings all the materials to the class -- the cypress planks or sometimes old tin, which she also uses as a medium; usually house paints and sometimes watercolors for the palettes of her student painters.   "We make things as easy as possible for our classes," she says. Marks grew up in Prairieville, Louisiana, south of Baton Rouge, graduated from high school in Louisiana, and studied fashion design in college for two years.  After leaving college, she worked in a variety of jobs, while continuing to paint as an avocation before staring Original Cypress.  Marks and her husband acquired an old farm, where they rode horses, in Amite County, Mississippi, and resettled there from Louisiana. Contact Dawn and Mike Marks at 601-551-5467 or through Facebook@Original Cypress.

Before recent rains, drought conditions that persisted in Lincoln County from August into January increased the risks standing dead trees pose. Even with the heavy rainfall, the drought’s true impact on trees is just beginning.  Bugs, disease and stress may have taken a toll on trees in the area following the prolonged drought and it could cause safety concerns moving forward.  Both southern pine beetles and Epps beetles will target stressed out pine trees.  “Loblolly and shortleaf have been hit hard but I’ve seen the bugs in longleaf pines too,” says Mississippi Forestry Commission Lincoln County forester Steven Williams. “They are even in spruce pines.  All the pines are at risk. The bugs don’t discriminate.” Williams says the dead trees are high risk for anyone trying to cut them down.  “You have dead timber and it will rot which could cause the top to break out and fall on you if you are cutting the tree,” he explains. “You will have widow makers. They could come down on you even while walking in the woods. We will face risks as these trees rot. They could fall across roads and may cause wildfires by downing powerlines.” Williams recommends anyone who has dead trees around their home to have them professionally removed by a licensed tree service. The service should be bonded as well in case they accidentally cause damage to your property. In the woods, it is best to leave the trees standing if you are unable to safely get a chainsaw to it. Pileated woodpeckers and squirrels will use dead trees for dens but typically pine trees come down quickly once they die.  “The top will start and the rest will come down,” Williams says.  It might be smart to keep an eye out for dead pine trees over the next year as those could come down with strong winds or storms. Williams says section 16 land in Lincoln County has some bad spots where timber was killed.  They will have to take a loss, and stands will have to be replanted. School districts use section 16 land to generate revenue typically through hunting leases and timber sales.

Co-Lin President Dr. Dewayne Middleton is one of only 24 college presidents nationwide who will receive the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Paragon Award for new Presidents during PTK Catalyst 2024, the society’s annual convention in Orlando, Florida. To be eligible for this award, college presidents and CEOs must be new in their role, having served less than three years.  Recipients are nominated by students on their campus and are only eligible to receive the award once. The award recognizes college presidents who have shown support of student success initiatives leading to stronger pathways to completion, transfer, and employment. They have taken an active interest in supporting high-achieving students and developing student leaders on campus. “These college presidents have students-first leadership styles and made it a priority to support student success both inside and outside the classroom,” said Phi Theta Kappa President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “This award is special because it comes directly from the students, and it is evidence of the gratitude they feel for the support for them and students like them.”

By Bob Garver Since Po (Jack Black), the main character of the “Kung Fu Panda” movies, is known for his corpulent eating habits, it makes sense to compare the animated franchise to a sort of comfort food. These movies aren’t exactly “healthy” choices that send the imagination soaring, but they aren’t “junk” that people outside the target audience are likely to detest. They’re agreeable, but not spectacular. Fortunately for “Kung Fu Panda 4,” it’s arriving at a time when kids haven’t had a decent movie for a while. Even though it coasts on preexisting goodwill at times, it’s not the painful, phoned-in effort it could have been. At the start of the movie, Po is basking in his fame as the legendary Dragon Warrior. He does his job well, fulfilling all his duties as protector of his village, but he’s also become complacent, using his standing in the community to endorse the noodle restaurant run by his adoptive goose father Ping (James Hong) and biological panda father Li (Bryan Cranston). His mentor, red panda Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) tells him his time as Dragon Warrior is coming to an end and he needs to pick a successor, but all he wants to do is continue to be the Dragon Warrior. And eat, of course, be the Dragon Warrior and eat. One day Po catches a fox named Zhen (Awkwafina) stealing artifacts from his temple. He battles her and she holds her own, but ultimately he wins and throws her in prison. But it turns out she may know something about a series of attacks that have been going on in nearby Juniper City. It seems Po’s old nemesis, the snow leopard Tai Lung (Ian McShane) has returned from the Spirit Realm and is seeking to regain power. Zhen knows to put emphasis on the “seems” part, because it’s really shapeshifting villain Chameleon (Viola Davis) plotting to steal power from the entire Spirit Realm. Zhen agrees to help Po in exchange for a lighter sentence, and the two reluctantly set out on a mission to save the village. I’m not going to pretend that the movie aspires to be anything more than standard “reluctant buddies road trip” fare. As a matter of fact, it’s two “reluctant buddies road trip” movies in one because Ping and Li set out on their own mission soon after Po and Zhen leave. But the Po/Zhen story has all the twists and turns you expect. Of course the too-trusting Po will have hard time navigating the city’s criminal underbelly and need the streetwise Zhen to bail him out. Of course Zhen’s duplicitous nature will get the two of them in trouble (my favorite sequence of the movie sees Po try to return money stolen by Zhen while simultaneously fighting the victims). Of course Po’s good-heartedness will rub off on Zhen. Of course there’s a secret that makes things complicated. And of course Po will eat everything he can along the way. But as unambitious as “Kung Fu Panda 4” is in its storytelling, it’s ambitious in its humor. What can I say – the jokes just hit. Black’s energy is infectious as always (he sings a new take on a pop song that might just be more earworm-y than the original), and everyone else manages to steal at least a few scenes. The visual gags work too, and it’s hard not to have your heart stolen by some psychotic bunnies. As an overall effort this movie may be just as complacent as Po is in the first act, but the “Kung Fu Panda” franchise knows what brings audiences comfort. The concession stand can handle the food. Grade: B- “Kung Fu Panda 4” is rated PG for martial arts action/mild violence, scary images and some mild rude humor. Its running time is 94 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu

Co-Lin sophomores Gary Clark Jr. of Bogue Chitto and Alexandra McGee of Sontag have been elected as Mr. and Miss Co-Lin for the Wesson Campus by their peers. Clark is the son of Teresa and Gary Clark Sr. of Bogue Chitto.  At Co-Lin, he is part of the Blue Wave Show Band and is band president. Clark was selected to Who’s Who at Copiah-Lincoln Community College and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society. After Co-Lin, he plans to attend Ole Miss and pursue a career as a physical therapist.  He is a graduate of Brookhaven High School. McGee is the daughter of Pamela McGee and Fred Dillon.. She serves a Vice President of Finance of Mu Alpha Theta, Parliamentarian of Future Business Leaders of America, and oversees communications for the Baptist Student Union. McGee is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the Co-Lin C.A.R.E student organization, and was selected to Who’s Who at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. After Co-Lin, she plans to attend Mississippi State University to continue her education towards a degree in elementary education with an endorsement in special education.  She is a graduate of Enterprise Attendance Center.

Enjoy feeling anxious and blue? Concentrate on what is happening in the world now, that’ll do it for you. The impossible price of food and housing. Crooked politics. Illegal drugs. Riots. Disease. Murders. Kids molested. If that is your idea of living the good life, then my friend, you certainly have it made. But there’s probably not too many of us who would agree with you. Most people like a sense of order and normalcy, and all this out-of-control scary stuff can bring on feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. Makes people feel as they are living in a nightmare, and they can’t wake up and just shake it off. Trapped with nowhere to run. So, what’s a better way to live? One way is to just ignore it all. Stick your head in the sand and only come up for air when you have to. After all, what you don’t know can’t hurt you, right? I wish. Another mode is worry. If you can’t be one of those who totally ignores what is happening to the world, then choose to constantly worry. About everything. Lay in bed at night and let your imagination take off. “Everything in the news is all this horrible stuff, and I know they don’t ever tell the public everything that is actually going on. It’s a fact that the news outlets hide a lot. Is it possible that our country is doomed to fail soon? And then what will happen to my grandkids?!” And when your brain tires of creating that type of non-sleep, try something like this. “I have to fly to Atlanta next week. I’ve heard a lot of air traffic controllers are actually alcoholics and drug addicts, and are totally out-of-it when they’re supposed to be guiding all those planes in the air. Oh my gosh, I may die!” Or along these lines: “My headache is back. And it’s getting really hot in here. Makes me wonder…do I have a fever? Oh, shoot! I was in the mall yesterday, and it was so crowded! Could I have caught Covid? Again??!! If I have, I can’t work for five days, and I’m gonna lose my job!” What, don’t care for that kind of existing, either? Don’t blame you a bit. Better option? Learning to balance your thoughts. Obsessive creative worry is a bad habit and once started, it’s difficult to break. It creates an immense physical and emotional toll, and can take away your joy in living. Leaving you actually wishing that it was all over. Yes, I know, there’s too much bad to be able to ignore it all. But just don’t wallow in it. Realize there is good in your life, and according to the Bible, you need to work at concentrating on those things to balance out your thought life. Constantly remind yourself that your God is watching it all. And that He has a plan.

County elected officials from throughout Mississippi’s Second Congressional District reflected on their leadership responsibilities and learned how to pursue and capture an array of state and federal government resources for their communities at a special conference hosted by Second District Congressional Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D) at Co-Lin last month. In workshops and breakout sessions during the morning of February 20 at the college’s Thames Center, speakers and panelists from state and federal agencies advised county administrators, sheriffs, supervisors and Chancery Clerks on culling resources for housing, community and economic development, managing immigration issues, emergency assistance, facilities and property management, training, transportation and roads and law enforcement, among other community needs. Speakers stressed two main themes:  interaction and involvement with agencies that are the source of resources and building relationships with them.  In addition, they focused on effective leadership -- being reachable, knowledgeable and accountable, and a visionary and communicator in touch with community and citizen needs. Sheriff Travis L. Patten, the youngest elected in Adams County and first African American since reconstruction, Jefferson County Administrator Brenda Turner-Buck, who was active in community and economic development for 30 years before her retirement, and Philip West, Vice President of the Natchez-Adams School Board of Trustees and an advocate of equal opportunity and equal justice under law for 58 years, moderated the sessions focused on environment and health, transportation and infrastructure, law enforcement and public safety and economic and community development. More than 30 speakers headlined the event, including Representative Thompson, Co-Lin President Dr. Dewayne Middleton and state and federal agency representatives: Environment & health.  Taaka Scott Bailey (Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality), Chris Thomas (Environmental Protection Agency), Dr. Danie Edney (Mississippi Department of Health) and Clayton French (Mississippi Emergency Management Agency). Transportation & infrastructure.  Willie Simmons (Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) Central District Commissioner), John Caldwell (MDOT Northern District Commissioner), Dr. Keither Stamps (Mississippi Public Service Commission (MPSC) Central District Commissioner), Brad White (MDOT) and Katie Funderburk (Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi (BEAM)), Law enforcement & public safety.  Marshay Lawson (U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)), Kyle Smith (United States Secret Service (USSS)), Joshua Jackson (U.S. DOJ Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)), Anessa Daniels-McCaw (U.S. DOJ Department of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)), Mark Shepherd (U.S. Marshal Service), Ragan Lewis (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)), Nicole Lemacks (U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)), Anthony Acocella (Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC)), Kara Spadaccini (Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)) and Ray Sims (Mississippi Department of Public Safety & Public Safety Planning). Economic & community development. Milton Cochran (Economic Development Administration),  Dr. Trina George (U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD)), Jason Shelton (U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)), Nicole Alexander (Mississippi Department of Finance & Administration, Office of Surplus Property), Dr. Corey Wiggins (Delta Regional Authority (DRA)), Baxter Kruger (Mississippi Office of Homeland Security (MOHS)), Janeiro Smith (USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)), Wirt Peterson (Southwest Planning and Development District), Chuck Carr (Central Mississippi Planning and Development District), Jenifer Buford (East Central Planning and Development District), Sam Mozee, Jr. (Mississippi Urban Research Center, Jackson State University (MURC)) and Ty James (National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA)). In their focus on leadership, the speakers discussed what county governing boards need to do to be successful, telling elected members to: Understand their statutory authority. Have current audits, and be current on federal tax and Social Security Trust Fund filings and payments. Maintain a record-keeping system. Require employee training, certifications or licensing. Attend training for elected officials and participate in continued learning opportunities. Update and maintain a strategic plan. Understand the operations and roles of departments under their supervision. Assure that contracted professionals are qualified. Build a support team for themselves and help grow the county. For government officials seeking grants, they recommended: Signing up and opting in at web sites -- Grants.gov, Delta Regional Authority, Federal Register -- for newsletters, updates and announcements relevant to your interests. Subscribing to web feeds that provide aggregated information from a variety of sources via email. Maintaining electronic or hard copy files of communications from funders relevant to your interests. Utilizing search engines, such as Google, to identify funding sources and track their funding cycle, programs and project areas, amount of funding and locations or regions services. Conference participants left with a guide and resource directory that is also available online at https://benniethompson.house.gov.

By Kara Kimbrough Sitting down to a bountiful lunch on Easter Sunday has been an American tradition for decades. However, for many, it can be a stressful day, juggling church services, family time and other activities with cooking a special meal complete with an often-tricky baked ham. But it really doesn’t have to be a meal you dread. Believe it or not, ham can be cooked in a Crockpot the night before or while you’re attending church or tending to other things. And sides and desserts can be prepared quickly the day before, saving valuable time on Easter morning. Here are four easy-to-prepare, but equally delicious recipes that’ll allow you to serve a full-scale lunch or dinner while enjoying Easter along with everyone else around your table. Stress-Free Easter Ham Fully-cooked ham (approximately 7-8 pounds) 2 cups pineapple juice Glaze: 2 cups brown sugar 1 ½ tablespoons Dijon mustard 1 ½ tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1 ½ tablespoons honey Remove ham from packaging and discard flavoring packet. If using a bone-in ham, check the end of the bone for a plastic cap; if present, discard. Pour pineapple juice in bottom of a large (6- to 9-quart) oval slow cooker. In a medium bowl, mix brown sugar, Dijon, balsamic vinegar and honey into a paste. Spread brown sugar mixture all over ham and place, flat side down, in slow cooker. Cover slow cooker with lid and set to low. Cook ham for 4- 6 hours or until the meat is tender and the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees after testing with a meat thermometer. Note: You can flip and baste the ham halfway through cooking time and again about an hour before the ham is done. Once ham is done, remove to a platter and tent with foil to keep warm and rest for 15 minutes. Skim any fat and strain the juices from the crock pot into a saucepan. Place the pot on the stove over medium heat and bring juices to a simmer. Allow the mixture to bubble and thicken for a minute or two, stirring occasionally. Serve the ham warm, with the sauce on the side or spooned on top. Favorite Potato Salad 10 pounds new potatoes, cut into chunks 1 cup mayonnaise (you can use sour cream or Greek yogurt if you don’t like mayo) 1 large bottle bacon ranch salad dressing 1/4 cup red wine vinegar Dill weed, to taste Celery seed, to taste Jar of Bacos 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions, optional Salt and pepper to taste Leave the peel on the red potatoes and cut them into 1-inch cubes. Put the potato cubes in a large pot and cover with about 1 inch of water. Bring to a boil over high heat and add salt.  Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium low and cook uncovered for 8-15 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Drain the potatoes and run under cold water. Let stand to dry completely before adding dressing. Dressing: Combine everything except potatoes. Place the completely cooled potatoes in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over everything and gently toss to combined. Add salt and pepper to taste. Chill, covered, in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (preferably 1 hour) before serving. Ham and Potato Bake 1 bag (32 ounces) Southern-style hash brown potatoes 2 ham steaks, chopped into small pieces 1 cup chopped onion 10 ounces shredded Swiss cheese, divided 1 jar (4.5 ounces) sliced mushrooms, drained 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1 cup whole milk 2 tablespoons butter, melted Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 3-quart baking dish with cooking spray. In a large skillet, brown ham on each side until heated through and no longer pink, or cook in the oven until done. When ham is cool, chop into small pieces. In a large bowl, combine potatoes, chopped ham, onion, half the Swiss cheese, the mushrooms, salt and pepper, stirring until combined. In medium bowl, whisk together soup, milk, and melted butter. Add soup mixture to potato mixture, stirring to combine. Pour into baking dish and top with remaining Swiss cheese. Bake for 35 minutes. Increase for 5 minutes longer, or until cheese is lightly browned. Serve hot. Easy Strawberry Cheesecake Pie 9-inch baked pie shell or graham cracker crumb crust 8-ounce cream cheese, softened 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk (NOT evaporated milk) 1/4 cup powdered sugar 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice, according to preference 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Topping – 2 options: 1.     21-ounce can strawberry pie filling (I prefer Lucky Leaf brand) 2.     Fresh strawberries, cleaned and hulled, and 16-ounce package prepared strawberry glaze, chilled Using a hand or stand mixer, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually beat in sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Stir in powdered sugar, lemon juice and vanilla. Pour into prepared pastry shell and chill at least three hours until set. Top with desired amount of pie filling or fresh strawberries and desired amount of glaze. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.