The little preschool-age girl, living on the farm with her siblings and parents, lived in constant fear of going outside to play. The reason for her terror? Their male goose (called a gander for those who are not up to snuff on geese) thought it great fun to chase the child whenever she dared to step outside. The louder she screamed and ran away, the more he delighted in the chase, wings flapping and honking stridently with every step. Older siblings had attempted to encourage her, but nothing worked. She learned to ‘prefer’ to play with her dolls in the house, while all the other kids rode bicycles, walked on stilts, and played tag. Finally, one evening her dad, who was usually in the fields till dark and therefore never heard the loud racket of honking gander and screaming child, was told about the problem. So, the next morning he asked her to go outside to do a small chore for him. When she refused and nervously admitted her fear, he did like everyone else before him…he attempted to convince her that the goose was just a bully having fun. Needless to say, the girl didn’t buy into his explanation. So he proceeded to do something about it. He took a large butcher knife out of the kitchen drawer and placed it in her tiny hand. He then told her to “Go outside and when that goose starts chasing you, just chop off his head.” I can only imagine the horrified reaction from the mom, who nevertheless never said a word of protest. And yes, I can hear the gasps of horror from parents who are reading this. Your reaction is like many of us, “He put a huge sharp knife in a toddler’s hand and told her to CHASE a goose with it??!! That’s crazy, didn’t he realize the danger to that little girl?” Probably. But he also had seen in her eyes the actual terror she was living under. And he evidently decided that it was worth the risk, to rid her of the fear that kept her inside day after day after day. As the now-all-grownup-version of that baby girl, I still remember what happened that fateful day. Grasping that weapon of power in my little hand, I fearfully opened the kitchen door and moved cautiously onto the porch. Immediately, just like he did every time before, the gander knew it was Play Time! He came flapping as quickly as possible, honking his threats with every step. I was still terribly frightened, but I had to obey my dad. I held that enormous knife in front of me and tentatively took a step toward the onslaught. Of course, we all know what happened next. The bully sensed the change in his favorite game and stopped, then turned to high-tail it away to safer ground behind the lilac bush. Remember folks, face that threat head-on, ‘cuz usually, it can’t be as bad as living in fear.

By Kara Kimbrough It’s 2023 – a new year filled with a dizzying array of food and beverage trends filtering down from the “experts.” A few I simply can’t wrap my head around are kelp-based burgers and sauces, climate-conscious food production, pasta made with sweet potatoes and greens and soft drinks infused with medicine. No…just no. However, there are more than a few trends that actually make sense and that I’m willing to try: 1. Plant-based protein –I pray I don’t get a warning from the Mississippi Beef Council. Disclaimer: I love a good rib-eye on the grill as much as the next person. However, replacing a few meat-based meals with protein-rich beans, grains and nuts might not be a bad thing. 2. Immersive dining experience – Enjoying an entertaining dinner courtesy of live theatre performances, dinner theatre and tableside service is making a comeback from the 1940’s and 50’s. I’m on board for tableside service, a byone practice in which waiters serve diners from a rolling trolley or nearby sideboard. The last time I remember this happening was at Jackson’s LeFleur’s Restaurant in the 1980’s. A server rolled a massive 5-tier cart filled to the brim with cakes, pies and other decadent desserts around the room in order for diners to make a selection. Yes, it’s definitely a practice that needs reviving. 3. Dairy-alternative milks – I’m already a fan of almond milk and other flavors, but now pistachio nut milk and other flavors are coming soon to a dairy case near you. These milk-alternatives are a great choice for dairy-intolerant consumers and those like me who don’t really care for the taste of milk. 4. Chocolate charcuterie boards – These popular boards filled with everything imaginable are set to become even more popular in 2023. The newest craze is piling chocolate-covered strawberries, chocolate bark instead of boring crackers, chocolate truffles and other favorites on a board along with favorite fruits and cheeses. 5. Tinned fish – Supposedly the pandemic caused a scarcity of some fresh fish, causing more Americans to rely on tinned fish like tuna, salmon and other small species. Not sure I can get on board with the suggested “sea-cuterie" snack boards and "tinned fish date nights." But I’m fine with opening a tin or two of water-based tuna and healthy salmon whenever I need to eat healthier. 6. Filipino food – This cuisine is gaining momentum across the country, including in some areas of Mississippi. One of the most well-known Filipino dishes is adobo, regarded as the national dish. A popular version of adobo features chicken or pork stewed with soy sauce, vinegar, peppercorns and garlic. Other versions include fish, shrimp, or lamb for the protein and coconut milk or turmeric to flavor the sauce. Elvie’s in Ridgeland is a good option for Filipino dishes prepared by its talented chef. 7. Low and No-Alcohol Drinks –Increasing in popularity are restaurants and “bars” serving only drinks with a low (or no) alcohol content. “No-ABV bars,” as they’re called, are perfect for those who can’t or prefer not to consume alcohol, but still enjoy socializing over a cool beverage. Last, “Retro food Reminiscent of Childhood” is finally making a comeback. Many restaurants, in an effort to attract baby boomers, serve dishes like mac and cheese and pizza bites as appetizers. They’re even adding old-school cereals like Captain Crunch to the breakfast menu. Sadly, one of my favorite childhood/teenage breakfast foods, Welch’s Jelly Doughnuts, has been discontinued. I’ve read that jelly doughnuts are “still available in the freezer case,” but I’ve never seen them. If you’ve spotted any, please drop me an email so I can stock up. In the spirit of retro, I'm sharing recipe for an old-school dessert that’s still one of my favorites. Served on many family Sunday dinner tables, it was simply called “strawberry dessert.” I loved (and still do) the pecan-filled shortbread-type crust, creamy filling and thick layer of strawberries on top. Today, you’ll find it listed as blueberry delight (you can use either fruit flavor), yum-yum dessert and other cute names. Cans of pie filling are often used for the topping instead of a homemade fruit topping. Whatever you call it, it translates well to modern-day dessert tables and is just as good as I remembered. Now, if only I can find those frozen jelly doughnuts…Welch’s, if you’re listening... Strawberry Dessert Crust: 2 sticks butter, melted 1 cup chopped pecans 2 cups all-purpose flour Mix together and press into 9x11-inch Pyrex dish. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Let cool. Filling: 8-ounce cream cheese 1 cup confectioner’s sugar 2 packages Dream Whip-follow package directions (can substitute Cool Whip if you want) Mix cream cheese and sugar. Fold into Dream Whip. Spread over crust Topping: 2-15.5 ounce containers of frozen slice strawberries with sugar, thawed ½ cup sugar 4 tablespoons cornstarch Mix together and cook slightly over low heat until thick. Cool and spread on frosting. Chill before serving. Note: Strawberry, blueberry or cherry pie filling may be used for topping. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

By Bob Arnold Co-Lin, which has significantly broadened its role in economic development in recent years beyond preparing students to enter the workforce, will participate in two new statewide initiatives this year to lure new industry to Mississippi. Today the college focuses on the future economy as well as the here and now, and in the coming year will support and implement programs to advance the goals of the Mississippi Economic Council’s Accelerate Mississippi and Woodward Hines Education Foundation’s “Ascent to 55,” Co-Lin Workforce Education Director Luke Laird reports. Accelerate Mississippi is a state-managed effort that seeks to promote and deliver workforce education and advance economic development through localized assistance in eight distinct regional “ecosystems” to organize customized programs that share best practices, improve communication and enhance collaboration to address the particulars of the market data, supply chain needs, available educational resources and regional/community assets. “Ascent to 55’ defines a goal that 55 percent of the state’s working adults earn a degree, credential or certification beyond a high school diploma. Co-Lin, Laird says, is spending $1.5 million provide for Accelerate Mississippi to improve Workforce Education programs in commercial truck driving, welding, fiber splicing, and power line repair. “We’re investing the money to improve and expand training in areas that will produce workers for new and expanding industry in southwest Mississippi, which include Accelerate Mississippi’s Ecosystems 5 and 7,” says Laird. “The region will need more commercial truck drivers with experience in different vehicles as it becomes a major transportation hub with more shipping in and out of Gulf ports and the importance of the Mississippi River, our railroads and the interstate highway infrastructure increases. The need for welders who can meet changing requirements of maintenance operations in new and existing industries as new technologies are introduced is a constant. With the push nationally to bring broadband to rural areas and to power new vehicles with electricity, the need for skilled workers who can install fiber optic cable and lineman who can maintain the electrical grid is growing.” The college’s purchases for classes will assure students are exposed to the most up-to-date technologies and tools in their field, Laird points out. Students will handle vehicles equipped with computerized systems that automate driving. In power line repair classes, a new bucket truck will expose linemen in training to equipment they will find when they go to work in the field. Fiber optics splicing tools will prepare students to readily work on building modern internet networks. “A cost-saver for the college that will also broaden exposure of students to equipment and technology will be simulators that provide augmented reality and virtual reality experiences,” Laird says. “Welding students, for example, will put on helmets that place them in simulated work situations that provide training not available in the classroom.” Historically, the Career and Technical and Workforce Education divisions of Co-Lin have produced the region’s workers by training people for existing and new jobs and assuring they are equipped with the knowledge and skills for changing work requirements throughout its service area encompassing Adams, Copiah, Franklin, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lincoln and Simpson Counties. The college’s Career and Technical Division continues to offer two-year degree programs so students can take their place in the area labor force and its Workforce Training Division continues to respond to business needs for ongoing and special training so workers have current skills and knowledge to do their jobs safely and productively. Every year, more than 700 students take courses that are part of Co-Lin Technical and Career programs, more than 5,000 first-time students enroll in Workforce Education classes for job-specific training, and more than 17,000 students return for additional Workforce Education classes. In addition to the programs that are the focus this year’s Accelerate Mississippi spending, the college’s certificate and Associate Degree programs include construction equipment operation, cosmetology, diesel equipment technology, food production and management technology, HVAC technology, practical nursing, precision machine technology, Business and Marketing Management Technology, Business and Office Technology, Computer Networking Technology, Drafting and Design Technology/Architectural Engineering Technology, Early Childhood Education Technology, Electronics Technology, Hotel and Restaurant Management Technology, Medical Laboratory Technology, Medical Radiological Technology, Military Technology and Respiratory Care Technology. The focus this year on preparing workers for the future economy continues Co-Lin’s orientation in recent years to go the extra mile and leave a bigger footprint in economic development. Among other things, it is partnering with Southwest Community College in Summit to bring together economic development leaders from the region they serve to explore strategic planning and cooperative efforts in recruiting new employers. The college has also sought to assist entrepreneurs in advancing business concepts and supports the ACT Work Ready program in the seven Co-Lin district counties by administering the WorkKeys Assessment to certify their emerging, existing and transitional workforces as “Work Ready.” This year will again see Co-Lin and Southwest Community College (SCC) hosting meetings of the Southwest Council on economic development. Two representatives from each of the 11 participating counties will attend meetings where they will conduct a SWOT (Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats) analysis towards delineating objectives, goals, strategies and tactics in a strategic plan to guide cooperative economic development activities in southwest Mississippi. There will be at least two meetings, with the representatives coming from Co-Lin’s district counties and the SCC district, including Amite, Walthall, Pike and Wilkinson Counties. The idea is to cultivate a mindset that there is strength numbers, and a regional voice can recruit new business, support business expansion and create jobs similar to what is happening on the Gulf Coast, in the Hinds-Madison Counties area, around DeSoto County and in the Golden Triangle area around Tupelo. One possibility is identifying a super site as a location for a major employer and jointly market it. Another highlight of Co-Lin’s economic development activity this year comes early with its long-standing Pathway Job Fair. On March 23 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., some 100 employers will be on hand at the Thames Center on the college’s Wesson campus to meet job-seekers. Today, prospective employees and hiring organizations alike use Handshake, an online service on which they can complete and then engage, connecting before the event to make appointments for serious conversations. Job-seekers discover jobs and internships, receive direct messages from employers about jobs and events, connect with employees at organizations and get an inside look at employers and jobs. Although it has been held annually for more than two decades, the job fair is a dramatic visible illustration of Co-Lin’s work in economic development grounded in building partnerships and relationships with movers and shakers in the economy. Its continuing growth highlights college’s growing engagement with economic issues and advancing economic development.

By Bob Garver I suppose it’s appropriate that movies starring Ant-Man aka Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) have always been rather “small” in the scheme of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Yes, he showed up for Captain America in 2016’s “Civil War” and played a role in saving the universe in 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame,” but those were parts of a team effort. In movies where he’s been the lead, the character’s contributions to the MCU have mostly been self-contained, with action localized to San Francisco and villains like the miserable Yellowjacket (Corey Stoll) never getting off the ground to affect other heroes. New installment “Quantumania” throws that small scale out the window in favor of a whole new world to explore and a villain with long-term ramifications. I liked the smaller movies better, because even with the deceptive strength of an ant, the character isn’t cut out for this sort of heavy lifting. The film sees Lang, his daughter Cassie (Kathryn Newton), girlfriend Hope van Dyne aka The Wasp (Evangeline Lilly), and her parents Hank (Michael Douglas) and Janet (Michelle Pfeiffer) all shrunken down and sent to the mysterious Quantum Realm. Yes, it’s technically infinitesimally small, but to the characters, it’s a big mysterious world. The crew meet some new characters, like hole-obsessed gelatinous blob Veb (David Dastmalchian), exasperated psychic Quaz (William Jackson Harper), smarmy former freedom fighter Krylar (Bill Murray), and a repackaged old character that I believe now holds the title of Worst in the MCU. One look at this character, and the entire movie became instantly irredeemable. I like the actor, but this role is going to haunt him for the rest of his career. In trying to escape the Realm, Scott and company encounter villain Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors). Advance word for this movie has told me that the MCU has big plans for Kang down the line, so this is just our first taste of him. I can’t say I’m terribly impressed – not with his character development, not with his ability to carry out a plan, and not with his track record. I suppose he’s intimidating and dangerous enough, but his motivations go little beyond a need to “Conquer” everything, he twice gets sloppy in concealing his megalomaniacal nature, which twice leads to his twice taking losses that will hurt his perception as a threat going forward. Then again, I will say that he’s off to a better start than Thanos, who spent six years as a vague grimacing presence dependent on underlings to do his bidding before he became a decent character. The special effects are unusually subpar for a movie of this importance. Of course, they’re at their worst when is comes to a certain henchman, but they’re unconvincing elsewhere too. There’s an overreliance on greenscreens, especially when characters are running away from falling rubble. Maybe it’s just that the Quantum Realm environment is so phony that the characters wouldn’t look like they’re in danger anyway. No wonder everyone wants to get out of the place so badly, it’s not worth staying or even Conquering. “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” shows early promise with Rudd’s effortless charm and Newton (of the surprisingly-heartfelt horror movie “Freaky”) as the new-and-improved activist version of his daughter, now grown-up thanks to surviving the Snap/Blip. But once the movie stops taking place in a recognizable plane of existence, it loses its relatability. Its legacy in the MCU will be that it marked the first big-screen appearance of Kang, but I’m waiting for the movie that marks the first “good” appearance of Kang. Grade: C- “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” is rated PG-13 for violence/action, and language. Its running time is 125 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

The Town of Wesson is spending $300,000 it received from the State of Mississippi to repair and update the Old School Community Center and plans to focus on increasing it use for municipal events and intensify its efforts to get community organizations use the facility. “We want it to be used as it was intended to be used – as a community center,” Wesson Alderman Mike King told the audience at the Chamber of Commerce awards program last month. Two ways the money is being spent reflect the focus on increasing its use: creating a preparation area for caterers with kitchen equipment and renovating and updating the second floor for users. “The lack of catering space and the second floor functionality are two of the biggest problems potential users of the facility cite,” King said. King pointed out that the comprehensive renovation is addressing both exterior and interior needs – repairing columns on the porch and floors, outdoor and indoor painting, updating the HVAC system and creating a bigger and better parking area. At the same, the new police department building is just about ready for occupancy, King said. Because of delays in deliveries of computers and other equipment, the move-in date has been pushed back several times, he explained. One-half of the new building will house the police department and the other half provides space for the municipal court. On the police side of the building, there will an area for the dispatcher and varied rooms for the diverse functions of the department. “All and all, the Aldermen are working hard to make Wesson a better place to live,” King said.

The Rhonda Posey and Don Smith Technology Scholarship was recently endowed with the Co-Lin Foundation by long-time instructors Rhonda Posey and Don Smith, both of Brookhaven. The scholarship was established to benefit a student majoring in Cybersecurity and Computer Networking Technology who has at least a 3.0 GPA on the Wesson campus. Posey (‘85) and Smith (’80) both graduated from Co-Lin, taught for many years until retirement and then once again returned as part time cybersecurity and computer networking instructors. After graduating from Co-Lin, Posey continued her education at Mississippi State University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in business and office education and a master’s degree in technology education. She is a Cisco Certified Network Associate and Instructor. She and her husband, Kevin, have two sons and a granddaughter. Following Co-Lin, Smith continued his education at the University of Southern Mississippi where he received a bachelor’s degree in computer science. He has Internet and Computing Core Certification, and is a Cisco Certified Network Associate, Certified Internet Webmaster and Certified Novell Administrator. He is a member of Ramah Baptist Church in McCall Creek. Posey and Smith decided to establish the Co-Lin scholarship to pay for everything that the college has given to them -- from an education and rewarding careers to life-long friendships. “I am at my best, while at Co-Lin,” Smith says. “It is truly the place to be!” Posey agrees, adding that as a Wesson native, many of her childhood memories include countless hours on Co-Lin’s campus at ballgames, camps, and many other events. “To me, Co-Lin is home,” she says. “The people past and present are like family to me. My co-workers became my best friends, so Co-Lin is the best part of me.” Posey and Smith benefitted from scholarships during their time as students, but it was as teachers that they began to better understand the struggle many students have paying for college. “I would like to ensure that deserving students have an opportunity to be taught skills which will lead to a rewarding career,” Smith says. Cybersecurity and computer technology both serve as high impact fields both professionally and personally, and the demand for these careers is expected to continue to grow. “Every area of our world today is affected by computers and networks,” Posey notes. “Understanding how these networks work is important to our nation’s economy and future endeavors.” Smith agrees and adds: “Our identities are increasingly online. It is critical to keep computer networks and the data they maintain secure, accurate, and confidential.” In addition to helping students, Posey also hopes their actions inspire others to give back to the college. “I hope it will encourage other Co-Lin employees and retirees to consider funding a scholarship,” she says. “Helping others is what education is all about.” Contributions to the Rhonda Posey and Don Smith Technology Scholarship, or any other scholarship, can be mailed to the Co-Lin Foundation at P.O. Box 649, Wesson, MS 39191, or online at https://www.colin.edu/alumni-foundation/give-now/.

The Mississippi School of the Arts (MSA) has received a $100,000 matching grant from the Pittman Family Foundation to help MSA prepare its students, who come from across the state of Mississippi, to be productive citizens in society through career readiness, and allow MSA to continue and expand its program. The matching grant calls on donors to match 1:1 by December 2023, with the goal of building a substantial base of support to enhance the programming of the school. The Pittmans hope the donation will encourage others to financially support the state’s only residential art school, which is celebrating its twentieth year of operations this year. MSA is one of only a handful of residential high school art schools in the country, and has contributed to the growth of the Brookhaven downtown area through more than 50 performances, events, and guest artists residencies annually. The Pittman brothers, Bob and Tom, were raised in Brookhaven and graduated from Brookhaven High School. Bob went on to be a visionary in the world of technology, arts, and entertainment as the CEO and co-founder of MTV: Music Television, the former President and Chief Operating Officer of America Online, Inc. (AOL), co-founder, Chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia, Chairman of the Board of the New York Public Theater and board member of the New York City Ballet. Tom was President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi, chaired the Mississippi Association of Grantmakers and serves on Entergy Mississippi’s advisory board and as a Director of Mississippi Today. He was a charter board member for the DeSoto Arts Council. "Brookhaven gave us many opportunities and a supportive environment for growing up during our critical high school years,” say the Pittmans. “We appreciate the creativity and vibrancy that the Mississippi School of Arts has brought to downtown Brookhaven, and the uplifting influences that its students have on the community.” Dr. Suzanne Hirsch, MSA’s Executive Director, says “MSA creates artists who are confident in their own voices. Through this support, we will enhance our offerings that prepare these young artists to contribute to the rich artistic legacy for which Mississippi is known. Through career readiness seminars, guest artist residencies, and college preparatory programming, our students will leave high school ready for the arts industry as well as the workforce.” Students are provided a multitude of opportunities to build a future for themselves through MSA programming. MSA consistently ranks in the top 3 ACT scores in the state and is presently #2. The accomplishments of its students, not only on the ACT but also in the national and state recognition they receive in their art areas, translates into scholarship money for college, with more than 80% of MSA graduates receiving callege scholarships. Hirsch attributes the high ACT scores and scholarship offers to several factors, including the total staff commitment and the emphasis MSA puts into preparation for the ACT, college, and career through its arts training, rigorous academic programs, and Junior/Senior Seminar classes. To contribute toward the match, visit the school store at www.msabrookhaven.org or mail a check payable to the MSA Foundation at PO Box 229, Brookhaven, MS 39602-0229.

The concert will be held in the Stanley Stewart Auditorium in the Maggie Flowers Ewing Fine Arts Building on the Co-Lin Campus in Wesson. It will feature the Mississippi Boychoir, Copiah-Lincoln Concert Choir, and the Ambassadors of Co-Lin as they celebrate the music of black composers.

Kids, even the adult versions, display the effects of the greatest influences in life…their parents. It can show up in being a mirror image of a parent, becoming similar in actions and reactions. Or it can have the opposite effect. Sometimes, a person may decide that mom or dad’s life was not one they want to mimic, and they deliberately turn the other way. But either way, parents have an enormous influence on their adult child. And parents need to realize that fact. While substituting for a few days as the receptionist at a local funeral home, I had the opportunity to be introduced to several people whom I had never met before. Family members who had lost their loved one would come in, many times as a family group, to grieve together and make arrangements. And as an unobtrusive receptionist sitting at the desk, I noticed a few things. Things like; there is usually an instinctive leader in the family, and many times it is not a spouse, nor is it necessarily the oldest sibling. But there would be one who just naturally spoke for the group. I also noticed that families have their own personality as a group, and no two families are alike. Although every sibling had their own personality, each family would invariably display a certain amount of group reaction to the loss. Some families were all loners in their grief, displaying a certain amount of isolation from each other. Other families seemed to draw strength from being with each other. Another notable; when it was a parent who had died, that parent’s outlook on life was often reflected in the very reaction of the ‘grownup baby children.’ One morning a family came in that truly stood out. All the adult children of the man who had died were respectful, kind, and softspoken. Tender care for the mom was obvious in everything they said and did. Later, someone who knew that family for many years told me those same traits were evident in the entire life of the dad. That father’s attitude thru the years was definitely imprinted on his kids as adults. Dads have the power to teach their child to view the world as a place of endless possibilities. Where there are disappointments and pain certainly, but also a place of love, forgiveness, acceptance, and new beginnings. Dad has the responsibility to give his son or daughter a sense of unconditional love and a positive self-image. That gives them the internal fortitude to face life at its hardest, and keep going. Yes, readers, Dads actually have that power within them. Can they create a child who will grow up to be exactly what dad had in mind? No, only God has that awesome power of influence. But a dad plays a huge part in how well his child believes in himself. Unfortunately, they also have the power to create just the opposite in their kids.

By Kara Kimbrough They're hard to miss: purple, green and gold sugar-encrusted king cakes are piled high on supermarket displays and in bakeries. That can mean only one thing: Mardi Gras season is upon us. Mardi Gras is growing in popularity, with revelers flocking to parades or at the very least, celebrating with the iced pastry rings filled with cream cheese and other flavorings. Side note: I have a recipe for easy homemade King Cake, but realizing how easy it is to pick up one at the supermarket or bakery, I’m not sharing the recipe here. However, if your local store’s supply is running low or has been on the shelf a little longer than you’d like, drop me an email and I’ll share it with you. But back to Mardi Gras. Mississippi’s Gulf Coast has been hosting Mardi Gras celebrations for years, complete with a spectacular coronation ball at the Coast Coliseum and parties rivaling those in nearby New Orleans. And, family-friendly parades, including a children’s walking parade and Krewe of Barkloxi’s PAWrade for pets roll in every city and town along the beach until Fat Tuesday. Even better, the Coast’s family-friendly parades lack the craziness of NOLA. For a complete lineup of parades, check out the schedule at: https://www.gulfcoast.org/events/mardi-gras-events/ Additionally, a Mississippi-style Mardi Gras promises non-stop feasting. Personally, I enjoy Cajun and Creole food (and yes, I know they’re different, but equally delicious) 12 months of the year and Mardi Gras season is no exception. I rarely share family recipes given to me by my Coast friends, but in the spirit of Mardi Gras, I’ll make an exception. Here are a few of my favorites to make Mardi Gras ’23 one to remember. Last, I rarely share my family’s recipe from shrimp Creole with anyone except special friends, but I’ll send it to anyone that requests it. “Laissez les bons temps rouler!” Biloxi Barbecued Shrimp 3 pounds large shrimp, peeled 2 sticks butter or margarine, melted separately ½ cup olive oil Garlic salt Celery salt Lemon 1 cup barbecue sauce Black pepper ½ cup of tangy liquid: white grape juice, pineapple juice, apple juice or apple cider vinegar (optional) Turn oven to broil, high heat. Cover bottom of heavy ovenproof skillet with one stick of melted butter. Place unpeeled shrimp in pan. Pour remaining melted butter on shrimp. Sprinkle olive oil, garlic salt, celery salt, lemon and barbecue sauce on shrimp. Sprinkle liberally with black pepper. Place shrimp under broiler pan for about 5 minutes. Turn shrimp and broil other side for 5 more minutes, watching to make sure shrimp don’t burn. Remove from oven and sprinkle with your choice of tangy liquid (optional step). Put back under broiler for one more minute. Serve with plenty of crusty French bread – it’s delicious dipped in the butter sauce! Quick One-Pan Jambalaya 12-ounce package of favorite sausage 2 cups uncooked instant rice 2 cups water ½ cup frozen bell pepper, defrosted 16-ounce can stewed tomatoes 12-ounce package cleaned raw shrimp ¼ teaspoon thyme 2 tablespoons minced onion 2 teaspoons instant chicken bouillon or two cubes 1 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper ¼ teaspoon chili powder Cut sausage into 1-inch diagonal slices. Place in large skillet. Brown as directed on package. Add remaining ingredients. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat, simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Shrimp Remoulade 2-3 pounds shrimp ½ cup horseradish mustard 2-1/2 tablespoons paprika 1 teaspoon salt ½ vegetable oil ¼ cup finely minced celery 2 cloves garlic, finely minced 2 tablespoons ketchup ¾ teaspoon red pepper 1/3 cup tarragon vinegar Boil shrimp, peel and marinate in sauce made with remaining ingredients. Serve in a large boil with marinade, using toothpicks to spear the shrimp. Can be used as a dressing for salad. The flavor improves after marinating overnight. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

By Bob Arnold For 11 years, Arthur Lee (Pokey) Evans has applied the lessons he learned sitting on the bench of Crystal Springs High School basketball and track teams, working for this father’s trucking company and then managing his own, and serving as Mayor of Crystal Springs to the task of keeping Copiah Countians at work. Evans is Executive Director of the Copiah County Economic Development District (CCEDD), and in that job makes sure there are employers for the people in Copiah County who want jobs. “I learned the values of being all-in and giving 100 percent to the team whether or not you played as a starter, treating people with respect and responding readily to needs,” says Evans. People who want to live and work in Copiah County are glad he learned those lessons well. On the wall next to his desk, a wood plaque also guides Evans: “Be Still and know that I am God,” it says. “I’m often tempted shout and jump up and down if something goes wrong. I’m reminded that isn’t the answer.” Born and raised in Crystal Springs, Evans graduated from high school there in 1978, where he played basketball and participated in track and field events. “I never started for the team, but I am proud that I never got cut,” he recalls. “I played as I was called upon to contribute to the team, giving my all. After high school, he decided he would work for his father at A.L. Evans Trucking Company and go to college the following year, but never returned to his studies. “I found the money good, and eventually started AL Evans, Jr., Trucking Company, which owned three trucks and several employees, Evans says. “The companies hauled gravel, asphalt, raw materials and anything else people needed to move.” In the process, Evans learned business success stemmed from dealing right with people – your customers, workers and everyone else upon which your company depended. “Treating people with respect made all the difference in the world.” Twenty years later while driving one of his trucks, Evans heard a voice tell him: “You need to do something else.” He followed the advice, ran for Mayor of Crystal Springs in 2001, lost, returned to his trucking business, but heeded the voice again four years later and won by two votes. “I was told later the job of Mayor is kissing babies and cutting ribbons, but shortly after taking office, I was faced with the major damage Hurricane Katrina did to Crystal Springs, the murder of a police officer and a traffic accident in which a fire truck was hit by a gravel truck,” Evans says. “I learned about public service in a hurry.” The voters of Crystal Spring re-elected Evans Mayor in 2009, but two years later when he could focus on babies and ribbons while addressing issues around improving the town’s infrastructure, he took the job as CCEDD Executive Director with its focus on the wider county and new service challenges. Evans cites two major challenges in the job that have defined his approach to it over the past 11 years: Advanced Auto Parts closure -- a crisis that threatened many job losses -- and the decision of McNeely Plastics to locate a plant in Copiah County -- an important economic development coup. In both cases, Evans drew on his skills as a team player and people person, working with Brenda Harper, his staff assistant; the CCEDD board, Copiah County Supervisors and state economic development officials to get Premier Transportation to take over the Advanced Auto Parts facility and to address the needs of McNeely Plastics that would bring it to Copiah County. And in both cases, the result was new job opportunities for Copiah Countians – the mission Evans sees for his work in the final analysis. Evans is married to Judy Hicks Evans, a lab technician at Copiah County Medical Center, and they have two grown children – Arthur Lee Evans III, 39, a business manager, and JaBrean Evans Hood, 25, a first grade teacher. What are your hobbies? My wife says it is work – answering phones 24/7, but I enjoy Alcorn and Jackson State football, particularly tailgating. Since 2001, I have served on the Copiah County School Board, when I was asked to serve out the term of a deceased member of the boardand was subsequently identified as the best replacement. I also find lawn and garden work therapeutic. I like being with my family, too. Are you a reader? I read newspapers to know what is going on, and to converse with people. I also read inspirational and motivational books. A favorite is Max Lucado’s It’s Not About Me. The Bible keeps me grounded Do you and favorite movies or plays? I watch Netflix. It may seem odd, but movies about the drug cartels fascinate me – their business sense and how they make things happen. Do you enjoy music? My wife, son and daughter sing and play, but I am just a listener, and eclectic, with my tastes ranging from gospel to rap to R&B and country. What would you do with lottery winnings if you were so lucky? After making sure my family, including a brother, sister and in-laws, were not in financial stress, I would help the school system meet the vocational and technical needs of students through a vo-tech center. How would you change the world? The world needs a big dose of common sense.

Wesson High School’s (WHS) starting quarterback will continue to represent in the colors of blue and white. Will Loy has signed a football scholarship to play with the Co-Lin Wolfpack. Loy had a host of family members, friends, coaches, and teammates on hand at a signing ceremony, which also celebrated his playing football at the next level. Loy finished his WHS career with impressive career stats: 10,156 career total yards, including 9,964 passing, 128 total touchdowns – 112 on passes. Off the field, Loy earned a composite score of 32 and super score of 33 on his ACT, and is Wesson's 2023 STAR Student. He is an honor roll student and a member of Beta Club, and has received numerous academic awards He was chosen by the WHS student body and staff as Mr. Wesson High School and as Most Athletic in the Senior Who's Who. Loy has been a member of the football team for six years, the baseball team for six years, and the golf team for three years. He was selected All-District for three years, District Offensive MVP, All-State Team, and received the 2022 3A State Offensive Player of the Year.