Super Bowl Sunday is one of the worst days of the year for motor vehicle crashes, including those due to drunk driving. The hours just before and just after the game are the most dangerous. “Hosts for Super Bowl parties should follow a few simple steps to ensure a safe Super Bowl Sunday,” said Ryan Wilson, operations manager at AMR Central Mississippi. “Party hosts, bartenders and servers have a responsibility to help keep drunk drivers off the road. By fulfilling that responsibility, you’ll possibly save lives, prevent huge legal and medical expenses, keep you out of jail and avoid lifelong guilt, shame and regret.” Wilson advised party hosts to: Limit your own alcohol intake so you can make proper decisions for your guests As each group of guests arrives, identify the designated driver right then. Take that driver’s keys and be sure the driver is sober when leaving. Remember:  A designated driver is not the person who drinks the least alcohol, but someone who drinks zero alcohol. Serve plenty of food. Place non-alcoholic beverages such as seltzer, soda and water alongside alcoholic beverages. Serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks in the same size and shape glass. Provide non-alcoholic “mocktails,” which can be a fun alternative to alcoholic beverages. There are dozens of mocktail recipes online. Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter (the same as some NFL stadiums) and begin serving coffee and dessert.  But keep in mind:  Coffee does not make one sober. If a guest has been drinking but has no designated driver, offer to call a ride-share service or a taxi or invite the guest to sleep over at your home. Take the guest’s keys. The guest might grumble but will thank you later. As guests leave, make sure everyone is buckled up.  Seatbelts are the best defense against impaired drivers in other vehicles. Wilson also urged party hosts to prevent falls by clearing walkways, porches and stairs and providing adequate lighting.  He said, “WUI (walking under the influence) can also lead to serious injury.” Operating in 20 Mississippi counties, AMR companies are the state’s busiest ambulance services.

By Kara Kimbrough I’ve previously shared my love of visiting New York City.  However, traveling to the chilly island surrounded by water in the dead of winter, aka January, was not something I’d seriously considered. After a visit last month, it may now be one of my favorite times to visit. The reason for a trip during the off-season? I was selected to attend TravMedia’s International Media Marketplace (IMM), a networking event on steroids at NYC's Javits Center. TravMedia connected hundreds of the world’s leading travel and tourism professionals with journalists like myself. How could I decline, especially when I’d have a few extra days to experience new parts of the city, meet up with friends and dine at favorite restaurants?  Cold and rainy weather aside, I was off for the Big Apple. In the interest of time, I’ve condensed into bullet points a week’s work of exploring centuries-old landmarks; dining at a multitude of restaurants; juggling the challenges of vacationing on a budget and most of all, enjoying one of the best destinations in the world. As always, feel free to email me if you’d like more information about any topic, including how to vacation in NYC without spending a fortune. · Bird’s eye view – One of my favorite places in NYC is located 850 feet in the air. Top of the Rock, found at the pinnacle of 30 Rockefeller Plaza’s 70th floor, delivers spectacular, unobstructed views of the city skyline. With terraces facing east, west, north and south offering glimpses of Central Park, East and Hudson Rivers, Queens, New Jersey and the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock’s panoramic sights make it, in my opinion, the ultimate observation deck in NYC. Once you descend past the stunning 35-foot chandelier containing 14,000 crystals, spend time roaming around the nearly century-old Rockefeller Center complex. In addition to stunning architectural features, the complex contains studios for NBC News, The Today Show and late-night talk shows. Underneath it all is a winding area filled with shops and restaurants. Lunch at open-air restaurant Five Acres yielded an average burger and fries but superb people-watching. Equally as outstanding in its own right, the Empire State Building’s two observation decks (86th and 106th floors) offer unmatched vistas of NYC and a panorama stretching across six states and views up to 80 miles away. Touring the building billed as the world's most magnificent Art Deco skyscraper and tallest building in the world for nearly 40 years after its completion in 1931 was a major highlight. In 2019, a $165 million renovation enhanced room after room of colorful interactive, historical exhibits and breathtaking architecture highlighted by luxurious marble, gold and glass walls, floors and ceilings. It's a stunning masterpiece that's not to be missed. · Lower Manhattan is a must – Two must-visit places in the southern portion of Manhattan and beyond are the 9/11 Memorial Museum and the State of Liberty. The 9/11 Memorial Museum, built on the site of the Twin Towers destroyed on Sept. 11, 2001, is an unparalleled repository of more than 74,000 artifacts documenting the fate of victims, survivors and first responders of attacks of the buildings in 1993 and 2001. It’s impossible to describe the enormous collection of material evidence in the form of destroyed first responders’ vehicles, personal items, historical records, video and phone recordings of first responders and victims and films depicting a myriad of events surrounding the attacks. Outside, two one-acre pools with the largest man-made waterfalls in the U.S. occupy the footprints of the Twin Towers, symbolizing the loss of life and the physical void left by the attacks. The names of 2,983 victims are inscribed on 152 bronze sheets surrounding the memorial pools: A visit to the museum is both emotional and sobering but something every American NEEDS to experience. To lighten the mood, walk a mile or so down to Battery Park and board the Statue of Liberty Ferry for the short ride out to Liberty Island. I’ve visited the island a few times now, but it’s still thrilling. Walking around the island inhabited by Canadian geese and gazing up at the magnificent statue that will be 100 years old this October never gets old. Also on the grounds are a professionally-designed museum, observation deck, café and gift shop. ·  World’s best cuisine – I don’t have enough space to describe the outstanding cuisine found in NYC. Instead, I’ll highlight favorite meals, food items and restaurants from this trip: 1. Carlo Bake Shop’s breakfast sandwich, a delicious combination of a crunchy homemade croissant, fried egg and bacon; melt-in-your-mouth cherry cream cheese turnover; famous black and white iced cookies and other homemade pastries. (Buddy Valastro of Cake Boss fame is the owner). 2. Junior’s Restaurant’s mile-high pastrami sandwich 3. Bubby’s James Beard’s sour cream pancakes topped with blueberries with a side of Canadian maple syrup. Hands down, the best pancakes (and syrup) I’ve ever tasted in my life! 4. Crab cake, salad and homemade olive bread at Bryant Park Grill 5. Becco Italian’s white bean hummus, olive bread and Bolognese lasagna 6. Grand Central Station's Oyster Bar's shrimp cocktail and steak. I'm still sad the restaurant was out of Hudson Valley apple pie... Last, but not least – I recommend the location of Hilton New York Times Square, both for its easy walking access to the subway, attractions, restaurants and adjacent Target for last-minute items; Delta Airlines for getting me seamlessly to and from Mississippi not just on time, but early both ways; my new Rollink Flex Vega Carry-On that glided smoothly through airports and folded inward to save space upon arrival; ONN cell phone power bank, a $20 Walmart find that saved my life when my battery ran low and most of all, New York City Tourism + Convention’s CityPASS. It provided access at a significant cost-savings to the main sites I wanted to visit and alleviated waiting in long lines. One scan of the app on my phone sent me to the head of the line and in some cases, through the VIP entrance. I don't have permission to share James Beard’s famous sour cream pancake recipe or Becco’s Bolognese lasagna but a quick google will take you to online recipes. Or email me and I'll share them with you. I was able to recreate Becco’s white bean hummus, just in time for the Super Bowl. I enjoyed my trip immensely, but to borrow Dorothy's famous phrase, “There’s no place like home” …and that goes for Mississippi. White Bean Hummus 2 medium cloves garlic 1 small handful fresh parsley, about ⅓ cup1 green onion, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 ½ cups cooked cannellini beans or 15-½ ounce can cannellini beans, drained 3 tablespoons tahini 1 ½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice, about ½ lemon 1 teaspoon kosher salt Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling With a food processor running, add garlic, parsley and scallion. Process until minced – about 15 seconds. Add remaining ingredients and process until smooth and creamy, a full 2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings. Drizzle with olive oil and serve. Perfect with chips, crackers and bread. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer and travel agent from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

Any Mississippian who has yet to register to vote must register by Monday, February 12, in order to vote in the 2024 Primary Election. Races on the March 12, ballot include offices of President, U.S. Senate, and U.S. Representative. To register, applicants may: register in-person at their county circuit clerk's office by February 12 mail-in new voter registration application with a postmark of February 12 Circuit clerk offices will be open on Saturday, February 10, from 8:00 a.m. to noon for in-person registration. Individual circuit clerk information may be found on My Election Day by entering a physical address. Voters who have not yet reached the age of 18 at the time of the March Primary Election may vote in the Primary Election so long as he/she will reach the age of 18 on before the date of the 2024 General Election. To verify voter registration status or update voter registration information, Mississippians may utilize YallVote.ms. For questions, call the Elections Division at (800) 829-6786, email ElectionsAnswers@sos.ms.gov,or visit YallVote.ms.

The annual Dixie National Parade will be held on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. in downtown Jackson. This beloved event that traditionally kicks-off rodeo competitions will include an array of rodeo queens, marching bands, decorative floats, car and tractor clubs, riding groups, the famous Dixie National Wagon Train and much more. “I want to invite everyone to come out to the Dixie National Parade as we celebrate ‘Mississippi – Where Music was Born’ as this year’s theme,” said Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson. “With special appearances from various, unique participants and local celebrities as parade judges, this event is the perfect outing that the whole family will enjoy.” Beginning at the corner of Mississippi and Jefferson streets, the procession will travel down Mississippi Street, circle the State Capitol, and finally take a left onto Amite Street before returning to the State Fairgrounds. Spectators are encouraged to watch from the Capitol grounds near President, High and West streets for the best views. Parking will be available at the Capitol grounds and surrounding parking lots. Local celebrity and distinguished judges will determine the first and second place winners within each category of parade participants. This year’s judges include WLBT News Anchor Maggie Wade; former Miss Dixie National Rodeo and current Boswell Media Marketing Specialist Lisa Moore; Mississippi 4-H President Ty Franklin; and Mississippi FFA President Ashton Luke. Following the parade, Mississippi’s Miss Hospitality Abney Grace Pittman will present awards to the winning parade groups at the Mississippi Farmers Market at 12:30 p.m. For more information and a full event schedule on the 59th Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo, visit www.dixienational.org, download the mobile app and follow the Dixie National Livestock Show & Rodeo on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Taxes, school vouchers, ballot initiatives and healthcare are among the issues facing Mississippi legislators when they settle into their work following initial organizing tasks. In their first order of business, they elected Representative Jason White, a Republican from West, Mississippi, as Speak of the 122-member state House of Representatives.  White succeeds Philip Gunn, who opted to step down and not pursue a fourth term as speaker. Representative Manly Barton of Moss Point replaces White as pro tempore. In the state Senate, Republican Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann will serve a second term, with Dean Kirby (R-Pearl) as Senate pro tempore, second-in-command. Over the past few days, eight statewide officials -- all incumbents -- were as sworn into office. As the Legislature begins legislating, a pivotal 2024 session is shaping up with key issues on the agenda: Tax cuts.  Governor Tate Reeves, who was reelected this past November by the narrowest margin in a gubernatorial election since 1999, still wants to eliminate the state’s personal income tax. White and other expected House leaders also have expressed support for eliminating the personal income tax, which accounts for nearly one-third of state general fund revenue. Senate leaders have said they will consider tax reductions in 2024, but perhaps not the complete elimination of the income tax. School vouchers.  Reeves has been a big supporter of providing public funds to students to attend private schools, though he did not campaign on the issue. As a matter of fact, few candidates elected in 2023 campaigned on the issue, though, it could be a big one during the 2024 session. Restoring the ballot initiative.  For the third year in a row, lawmakers plan to introduce legislation to restore the ballot initiative, the way for citizens to place issues directly on a statewide ballot. The Mississippi Supreme Court ruled in 2021 that the prior initiative process was invalid. During the last two years, the House and Senate failed to reach an agreement over how the process should be replaced. Mississippi’s health care crisis.  Scores of rural hospitals across the state are on the verge of closing or significantly cutting back health services, and numerous Mississippians do not have health insurance. One potential solution that legislative leaders might consider is the expansion of Medicaid coverage to more people under the Affordable Care Act, as 40 other states have done. White, the likely new speaker, has previously said he is open to at least considering the expansion of Medicaid and studying health care issues closely during the session. Hosemann also has voiced support for at least the consideration of Medicaid expansion.  Reeves has been a staunch opponent of Medicaid expansion. EDITOR’S NOTE:  A Mississippi Today report.

By Bob Garver Not every week brings a shiny new blockbuster for me to review. Sometimes I need to look to the holdovers. Sadly, I’m not referring to “The Holdovers,” one of the best films of 2023 that you should definitely check out if it’s playing in your area. I’m referring to whichever movie did the best at the weekend box office that I haven’t already reviewed, even if it isn’t that new and didn’t do that well. This week that movie is “Anyone but You,” which came in fifth place at the domestic box office in its sixth weekend. While much better Christmas releases like “The Color Purple” have slid down the chart since the holiday season, this one has managed to stay in the top five. It has actually made more money than any movie to open in 2024, but that’s with a multi-week head start. However else I feel about the movie, I can understand its consistent performance, as its tone is a light and agreeable one that makes it a good compromise movie for couples and groups of friends. The movie, based on Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing,” follows attractive singles Ben (Glen Powell) and Bea (Sydney Sweeney) as they have an adorably awkward meetup in a coffee shop that turns into a date. Clearly they both want a romantic relationship, but the prospect scares them, so they sabotage what they have. They try to forget about each other until Ben’s friend Claudia (Alexandra Shipp) gets engaged to Bea’s sister Halle (Hadley Robinson) and they’re forced to be around each other for the wedding in Australia. And yes, it’s the kind of lavish movie wedding that will make everyone in the audience feel insecure about their own ceremony, or lack of one. Since even the other characters can see that Ben and Bea are perfect for each other, most of them spend the weekend trying to play matchmaker. The two get so annoyed that they reach a truce and agree to pretend to be nauseatingly enamored just to get everyone off their backs. Even if you’re not familiar with the play, you’ve probably seen enough romantic comedies to know where this is going: their pretend banter will turn into real banter, which will lead to real feelings, which will lead to a real relationship, which they may or may not sabotage all over again. With the story so predictable, it’s up to the film’s humor to save it, with mixed results. Powell and Sweeney have undeniable chemistry and charm. I see bright futures for both of their careers, which hopefully means getting smarter scripts than this. The film makes the curious decision to take an R-rated route that I think makes it less endearing. I’m not saying that light, romantic comedies can’t be R-rated (off the top of my head, “When Harry Met Sally…” and Judd Apatow’s late-2000’s hot streak come to mind, and I don’t see those movies working without some R-rated elements), but this movie’s crudest jokes aren’t its best. With a PG-13 rating, it could have reached a wider audience that I don’t think was worth sacrificing for some ill-advised “edginess.” “Anyone but You” is bland and corny and the characters are idiots. Yet I have to admit that I was somewhat sucked into the movie by its end, largely owing to its absolutely correct assertion that “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield is a perfect singalong song. Just don’t mistake this begrudging affection for the real affection I have for much better movies like “The Holdovers.” See that one instead if you can. Grade (for “Anyone but You”): C And while I’m here, Grade for “The Holdovers: A- “Anyone but You” is rated R for language throughout, sexual content and brief graphic nudity. Its running time is 103 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

Mrs. Lanelle Wusterbarth of Brookhaven (left) accepts quilt she won in Wesson Friends of the Library (FOL) raffle to raise funds for library projects.  FOL member Violet Carrales, who sold her the winning ticket, offers congratulations.  Mrs. Bobbie McCaffrey of Bogue Chitto donated the beautiful fan quilt to FOL to for the raffle prize.  The Friends of the Library appreciated the support of those who donated money through the raffle and encourages the public to use the resources of Wesson Public Library.

As a parent, we fear so many things while raising our children. We understand the underlying risks in most of our daily adventures, but we always think “not us” and we choose to live. We all do our best to teach our children to be safe in a world where bad and dangerous exists; it comes with the parental roles: protect, teach, nurture, love and support. When your child has a disability or multiple disabilities, the fear grows. A nonvocal and/or nonverbal child, for example, can’t always share needed information to locate a family and they can’t yell “help”. They may not even understand that help is needed. When a child or an adult with a cognitive disability is lost or wanders too far, even if verbal and/or vocal, they may not be able to share needed information and will likely appear anxious from stimming. Stimming is also known as self-stimulating behaviors. Stimming is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as the repetitive performance of certain physical movements or vocalizations, as a form of behavior by persons with autism or other neurodevelopmental conditions; self-stimulation. This behavior is thought to serve a variety of functions, such as calming and expression of feelings. Children and adults with special needs, especially with Down syndrome or autism, have a high risk of wandering or elopement. Sometimes referred to as bolting. It is said that wandering is extremely typical in toddlers with Down syndrome, but may continue as they age, particularly if a dual diagnosis exists of both Down syndrome and autism together. Hudson has been dual diagnosed with both. Half of children with autism are wanderers, so this is very common. Noise levels can be triggering and the child may try to get away from it. It could be that they see something and they are determined to get closer. It could be that the child is spooked by something like the night sky, this happens to Hudson all the time. No matter the reason, half of the children with autism can easily become lost. Hudson is a runner, really a bolter, and Hudson is a seeker of water. He is also nonverbal. When a child becomes lost the risk of sever danger is great: drowning, running into a busy street, unable to hydrate, weather elements, and/or possible encounters with strangers or animals. If you live in areas with snakes, that’s a risk, too. Every second matters. As Hudson’s mom, it is my job to be as prepared as possible. Our home is safe and we have alarms and locks on every door. Our neighbors know Hudson. I take new photos almost daily. I work with him on swimming, but I’m unsure how he would be without me there. Even with all of these measures in place at home, well, they don’t apply in public spaces or even at friends homes. Daily living and travel have a new level of fear. Many families use GPS trackers to provide a sense of peace over their runners, but even GPS trackers in shoes won’t work if different shoes or no shoes are worn. Some use bracelets, but kids with sensory issues may not be able to tolerate wearing them. Even rain or a shower can feel like needles on the skin to some. Recently, Kayla, a 17 year old in Pennsylvania was dropped at school by her special needs bus… and the school was closed due to a smell reported the day before. She was missing for over 8 hours. Kayla even went in convenient stores with no help offered that was seen on surveillance cameras. She was found in downtown Pittsburg in cold temperatures, but she was reported to be okay. Yesterday, I was sent an article about a 4 year old with autism that went missing on January 12th. Phenix was missing for more than 24 hours. He was found because of over 100 volunteers who wouldn’t stop looking. The public knowing was everything in this search. I have a friend here locally who has several locks on their doors at home, but her son still gets out and has been found several miles from home. This has happened multiple times. She has locks high up, he gets a chair or a broom handle. She has GPS trackers, but he has to be wearing his belt or shoes. Her constant fear is heavy. I know a buddy in Jackson that has gotten out of his front door and his fence. He has gone missing several times. Luckily, neighbors know him and have helped. The panic can be heard in his mommas sweet voice. In Florida, another little buddy got out. Luckily, he ran the opposite direction of the pond and was found 8 houses down in the entry of a strangers home. Mom started swim lessons that week. She threw up for hours after he was found… she ran to the pond first and couldn’t stop thinking the worst. I have a friend that said she was in the ocean on vacation when she asked about her son… he was a mile down the beach in under 10 minutes time. After they loaded him, he was so frightened that he didn’t talk for hours. See, even a child that can speak, won’t always. At dinner the other evening, a stranger shared that his best friends son always gets away at Cruising the Coast. He knows several people and always finds a face that can help. What if he didn’t? There are 100,000 faces. However, he loves going and should be able to have fun. It is such a balance, that is why we, all families like mine” weigh the risk-benefit in everything we do. Sadly, a buddy up north, was found drowned in a pond. He was at his grandfathers house and no alarms told them he went outside. When they realized a back glass door was slimily cracked, they ran to find him. It was a family Christmas gathering a few years ago. Lastly, I have been on a cruise when a buddy got away from his family. I know the 600 people on board stop vacationing to help… they were Buddy Cruisers. No judgment, just complete understanding and determination to find him quickly. Blasts went out and everyone had this family… he was found safe. Over and over, this happens often. 70-90% of tragic deaths are caused by drowning when a special needs child wanders away. If you see us out, you’ll often see Hudson in his wheelchair. He can walk really well, but it is for his protection in public places. He doesn’t really walk, he runs. He does not look back to see if you’re with him. He won’t turn to his name being called. He is fast and he loves water. I know I am repeating myself, but it is important that you know many of our loved ones with Down syndrome, autism or are dual diagnosed are very similar the love for water… 70-90%!!! I share all of this, and I could share 100’s of stories about this, to say that there is something we can do to help families like mine. It is called a “PURPLE Alert”. You know about the “AMBER”, the “SILVER” and even the “BLUE”, now, it’s time to add the “PURPLE”. Florida already has the “PURPLE Alert” and it is written like this: PURPLE: For adults with mental or cognitive disabilities. I want to take Mississippi’s “PURPLE Alert” to the next level: As a single alert or can be in combination with “AMBER” or “SILVER”. Ours simply states: “Purple Alert; Establish as additional means to aid search of persons with cognitive disabilities.” When time matters, information received is everything. Cognitive disablities effect newborns to elders and this alert should be used to provide law enforcement and the public with needed vital information in the quickest manner. Saving our loved ones from the tragic outcomes comes down to time… and not much of it. What is a cognitive disability? “Cognitive disabilities” is a term that refers to a broad range of conditions that include intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders, severe, persistent mental illness, brain injury, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. If Hudson was kidnapped, he takes food by a g-tube, he has daily medications and other life saving measures…. The abductor could not provide what my son needs. In an “AMBER” situation, the “PURPLE” added would be useful information. The same goes for a senior citizen with a cognitive disability… they can be abducted, especially for sexual abuse. These are all very hard conversations, but a “PURPLE Alert” is easy. It’s not reinventing the wheel, it’s adding a needed color to the wheel to provide information to help if needed. Pennsylvania is trying to get this alert now after what happened to Kayla. We should not wait for something to happen, because it already happens daily, you just don’t know about it. I have proudly teamed up with Representative Clay Mansell to drop a bill to add this to our alert system here in the great state of Mississippi. I, also, personally asked our governor (during his campaign stop here) to continue to help and support us as we make good needed changes for our friends with disabilities. Mississippi is a wonderful and safe home for ALL, and this simple change will bring some relief for families and it could save lives. This addition is a beautiful step to protecting our citizens, being a voice for those with no voice and protecting those who cannot understand the dangers out there.  EXTRA alerts can provide extra needed peace as we live our lives and do our best. EXTRA alerts will need YOU, should one be issued. Join me in getting the PURPLE Alert added to our Mississippi Alert System; we can easily add in protections like this to make Mississippi the gold standard for our loved ones and neighbors with cognitive disabilities. Call your local legislators and ask them to say YES! Community has the word “unity” in it,  and unity means joined as a whole.

Have you ever watched a volleyball game and witnessed an entire team suddenly duck under the net and join the other team? Gasping for a breath of hope that isn’t there, they had finally thrown up their hands in despair and crossed to the other side of the net. Just gave up, gave in, and joined the enemy. As much volleyball as I have watched and played through the years, no matter how badly one team is trouncing the other – and that has been witnessed, believe me – I have never seen that happen. Oh yes, there were some individual players that began pouting and dragging their feet, with a “What’s the use, this is just stupid!” look on their face. But an entire team? Never. Because there were always a few stubborn leaders who insisted that their team fight to the bitter end, even though it seemed pretty obvious that said end was going to be pretty bitter. Why? Why are there certain people in life who just refuse to quit the race when the going gets rocky and uphill? Stubborn pride? Tenacity? Parents who bothered to instill ‘stick-to-itiveness’ in their child, “Sweetie, you don’t give up just because things get difficult?” Probably a combination of many things, I would imagine. But if you are not one of those who were gifted with parents who pushed you to finish what you started, or you simply do not have a built-in stubbornness that refuses to ever toss in the towel, think about this. Giving in means you will definitely lose, because there is absolutely no chance of winning, if you won’t try for yourself. So at least keep trying, because laying down and pouting guarantees YOU WILL LOSE. But if you can’t bring yourself to stubbornly and relentlessly work for yourself, at least have enough gumption to not begin working for the other side. Because without a doubt, the score will end up World:2   You:0. My advice? Your overwhelmed feeling could easily be caused by a combination of emotional, mental and physical exhaustion. And exhaustion is a pathway that can lead to depression, fear and hopelessness. That lethal combination of emotions can dump you into a black hole of despair and just giving up. So, take a break from it all, as much as is possible. Pray for help. Go for walks, take naps, talk with someone who will listen and who cares about you. Seek advice and counsel from the closest thing to a professional that you can afford. Mr. Winston Churchill, former Prime Minister of England during the years of WWII is quoted as saying, “Never ever, ever, ever give in.” Pretty appropriate for anyone whose heart is beating– if you want a flea’s breath of a chance to be successful in your life. Do not give up on YOU. The end result is total loss, and you are worth more than that.

On Saturday, February 17, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Clinton will host a special musical performance by Mississippi virtuoso trumpeter Kimble Funchess. Funchess, a gifted musician and music educator, has performed with some of the nation’s greatest musical giants in jazz, gospel, blues and R&B, including B.B. King, Charley Pride, the O’Jays, Bobby Rush, Johnny Taylor, Dorothy Moore, Brandy, Wilson Pickett, Mavis Staples, The Spinners, The Temptations, The Four Tops and Eddie Cotton. He has led and been a part of numerous orchestras and music festivals, including the Natchez Festival of Music. He played trumpet in the 2014 James Brown biopic, Get On Up!, and has also performed as part of the orchestra for the first Mississippi Grammy Event and arranged horns and recorded with three International Blues Challenge winners. Funchess’ enthusiasm for music led to a professional career in music as a performing artist and music educator, and he has performed at many local churches and been director of bands at numerous schools in Mississippi. Funchess was the recipient of the Mississippi Jazz Foundation 2021 Music Education Award for commitment to musicianship and creativity in education in schools. His wife, Julia, is also an educator, and she serves as a travel advisor with McGehee Cruise and Vacation in Jackson. Funchess will present a program that will include gospel, several styles of jazz, as well as contemporary selections. He will perform with his guitarist. The community is invited to the free concert, which will begin at 6 p.m. and be followed by light finger foods. No tickets or reservations are necessary. Our Redeemer Lutheran Church is located at 1799 Clinton Raymond Road. For more information, call 601-924-9999.

By Kara Kimbrough Delivering dinner at the end of 2023 to friends who’ve helped me with various needs throughout the year proved to be more challenging than anticipated. Upon asking about the favorite foods of the male in the equation, I was told, “No chicken.” OK, there went my idea for chicken spaghetti. Also on the list was “anything with tomatoes” (scratch spaghetti, lasagna and other Italian dishes). But it was the last directive that really got me: “No casseroles.” It hit me that casseroles get no respect and that’s just not right. After all, what would Thanksgiving dinner be without a classic green bean casserole, sprinkled liberally with crispy French-fried onions? And who doesn’t love the classic baked chicken and rice dish doused liberally with not one, but two “cream of” soups? If you grew up in the 1970’s, 80’s or even the 60’s as this picky eater friend did, you undoubtedly had at least one Pyrex dish of some type of casserole placed on the dinner table each week. Maybe my friend got sick of them as a child, thus his aversion to the “one dish includes all” meals. As for me, I still have fond members of casseroles filled with ground beef, noodles and tomatoes and and my absolute favorite to this day, fried pork chops and brown rice casserole. Tuna casserole aside, what’s not to like about this familiar dish that has provided so much comfort and security over the years? To quell any lingering bad memories of casserole-centric meals, I’ve tweaked the ingredients and changed the names to protect the innocent of these three dishes. It’s unlikely my friend will recognize them as anything but delicious meals that bear no resemblance to the ones that scarred him for life. By the way, he and his wife seemed to enjoy the basic roast, potatoes, carrots, mashed potatoes and gravy dinner I delivered, but who knows, I might spring a pseudo-casserole on him in 2024. Cheeseburger & Fries in a Pyrex Dish 2 pounds ground beef, browned and drained 10-3/4 ounce can golden mushroom soup 10-3/4 ounce can Cheddar cheese soup 20-ounce package frozen crinkle-cut French fries Pickles, chopped tomatoes and ketchup for toppings (optional) Combine ground beef and soup. Spread in a greased 13” x 9” inch baking pan. Arrange French fries on top. Bake, uncovered at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes or until fries are golden brown. Top with pickles, vegetables, ketchup if desired. Shoepeg Corn and Green Bean Bake 2 (7 ounce) cans shoepeg corn, drained 14-1/2 ounce can green beans, drained 10-3/4 ounce can cream of celery soup 1 cup sour cream 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese 1 cup crushed round buttery crackers (about 15) ¼ cup butter or margarine, melted Stir together corn, beans, soup, sour cream and cheese; spread in a greased 2-quart baking dish. Top with cracker crumbs; drizzle with melted butter. Baked, uncovered, at 350 degrees for one hour or until golden. Sausage and Wild Rice Combo 1 pound pork sausage, sliced 1/2 onion, chopped 1 stalk celery, chopped 1 green bell pepper, chopped 1/2 cup uncooked long grain white rice 1 (4.5 ounce) package chicken noodle soup mix 2 cups hot water 1/2 cup slivered almonds Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large skillet over medium high heat, combine the sausage, onion, celery and green bell pepper and sauté for 5 minutes. Drain any excess fat. Stir the dry rice in with the sausage and vegetables, then add the water and the soup mix. Transfer this mixture to a lightly greased 2-quart casserole dish and top with the almonds. Bake, covered, at 350 degrees for 90 minutes. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer and travel agent from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

Co-Lin sophomores Galen, Gavriel, and Gary Clark Jr. of Brookhaven do things together. After all, they are triplets, sons of Teresa and Gary Clark, Sr., and have always done things together, but Co-Lin is also helping each of them open new doors unique to their own lives. At Brookhaven High School, they played together in the band.  They left together to continue to play together in the low brass section of Co-Lin’s Blue Wave Show Band -- all three of them on scholarship.  All three together have been inducted into the Eta Omega Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges.  They were also honored together as selections to Who’s Who at Co-Lin, which recognizes outstanding sophomores with at least a 3.0 GPA who are nominated by a faculty or professional staff member, actively serve the college and demonstrate leadership in extra-curricular activities as well as academics, citizenship and potential for future achievement. “The Clark triplets are three outstanding, hardworking students,” says Juanita Proffitt, Co-Lin Director of Bands and Fine Arts Division Chair.  “All three are on the band's leadership team.  Anytime we need something done, they are there and always have a positive attitude. Their presence has made an impact in their sections and on the rest of the band. We are extremely proud to have the Clark triplets at Co-Lin.” While continuing their achievements together at Co-Lin, the college has also helped them grow as individuals. Galen, for example, alone was inducted into Mu Alpha Theta, the mathematics honor society, and Sigma Kappa Delta, the English honor society. The brothers all have their own special memories of being involved on the Co-Lin Wesson campus. “So far, my favorite memory at Co-Lin has to be when the band traveled and played when our football team went to play in the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) championship game this year,” says Galen. “One of the reasons I came to Co-Lin was because of the really great band scholarship they offered me. It was much more affordable to come to a community college first instead of going straight to a university. I have absolutely been happy with my decision to come to Co-Lin.” For Gary, his experiences at Co-Lin, including being chosen as president of the band and elected “Mr. Co-Lin” by his peers, have helped him come out of a shell.  “Being elected as Mr. Co-Lin was a dream come true,” he relates.  “Growing up, I was a shy person. Then at Brookhaven High School, I encountered an environment that was all new to me -- the classes, people, student groups and clubs were more than I imagined they would be. Joining the band at BHS had the greatest influence on my personality. It increased my friendliness, discipline, and leadership. And now, I am president of the Co-Lin band and Mr. Co-Lin.  It feels amazing to be voted Mr. Co-Lin.” “I wasn’t concrete on what I wanted my career to be when I was in high school,” Gary also points out. “So, coming to Co-Lin helped me pinpoint what career I truly wanted to pursue.” Gavriel concurs with his brother and adds: “Co-Lin has done an amazing job at preparing me for Ole Miss. I’ve learned things and accomplished things I thought I would never be good at.  One of the classes that has helped me a lot was English Composition I and II taught by Ms. Glenda Silverii.  Knowing how to write papers is going to be very crucial for my next step. Another class that has prepared me is Human Anatomy I and II with Mrs. Anita Cliburn. I thank those two instructors and my academic advisor, Mrs. Stewart. The overall experience at Co-Lin has made me feel very confident in my future.  I feel like I can accomplish anything.” When the triplets leave Co-Lin, Gary and Gavriel, at least for the present, will go together to Oxford and the University of Mississippi, where they both plan to pursue dreams of becoming physical therapists.  Galen, however, wants to continue his education in cybersecurity and will head to the University of Southern Mississippi.  No longer triplets doing things together, but individuals who have made their own career decisions with the help of Co-Lin.