Wesson Police are looking at novel ways to improve recruiting and reduce costs of training. Town Aldermen approved a request by Police Chief Chad O’Quinn to spend $350 on a virtual program and learned about his vision of a police exploration program for youth. O’Quinn reports that training that meets ongoing requirements for police officers in now available 24/7 online through a Tennessee company. The training conducted by highly qualified law enforcement instructors is wide-ranging, covering general patrols, administration, Constitutional and criminal law and procedure, corrections, leadership, investigation, corrections and school safety, among other areas in which police officers must build their skills and knowledge. “Through this training, which officers can take in their offices, we can drastically reduce expenses for travel and lodging and training fees at on-site facilities,” O’Quinn points out. While the virtual training will be immediately available, the police exploration program for youth is a long way off, and very much in the exploratory stages, O’Quinn says. “It’s not a done deal,” O’Quinn stressed. “Many of the programs are in big cities, and we want to see if it’s feasible in a small town setting. By getting youth interested in police work, we pave the way for recruiting future officers.” A model program is an outgrowth of the Boy Scouts of America and Learning For Life open to boys and girls between the ages of 14 and 21. The program seeks to educate youth about police work, whether or not they want to pursue a law enforcement career. Some local programs have an Explorer Academy, which adapts the curriculum of a real police academy to the youth. Courses may cover the history of law enforcement, contemporary law enforcement, juvenile law and protection, criminal law, criminal investigation, narcotics, criminalistics and forensics, and communication. Explorer cadets' duties vary from program to program, but for the most part they perform a wide variety of community service and volunteer duties within police departments. Many provide extra help for large gatherings such as fairs and festivals, as well as in traffic control details. They also assist in clerical duties related to police records and report writing. Explorer cadets may participate in dispatching centers and patrol ride-a-longs. Some departments involve Explorers in searches for missing children, finding evidence in major crimes, and assisting at disaster scenes. Some are even used as undercover agents in under-age alcohol and tobacco sting operations

While electronics make common gifts this holiday season, Waste Management reminds the community that lithium batteries pose a serious problem when disposed of improperly. Lithium batteries are increasingly causing fires in the waste and recycling stream. These batteries can be embedded in electronics such as cell phones, laptops, games and toys, Bluetooth headphones, power tools and e-cigarettes. They can be stand-alone batteries that resemble standard alkaline batteries such as AA, AAA, and D cell batteries. Presently, all lithium batteries can cause fires when damaged, even if they can no longer hold a charge. "Waste Management requests that the community please remove lithium batteries from toys, tools, electronics, etc. and seek a recycling outlet before placing these items in curbside bins or in their container for refuse pickup. We urge the community to check their local government for recycling options," said Tony Franco, area safety manager. Waste Management makes safety a priority when handling community waste. By working with our customers and exercising additional vigilance around battery disposal, we hope to reduce the risk of fires in our trucks, machinery, and disposal / recycling facilities.

By Kara Kimbrough As the year draws to a close, the word “inflation” is on everyone’s lips. A quick spin around the supermarket will convince you prices are a little crazy. It’s hard to believe I paid $6 for a dozen eggs this week, but that’s where we’re at for the foreseeable future. Grumbling aside, shopping locally, including at small supermarkets, is still the best way to go. The same goes for local, family-owned restaurants. More money stays within our local communities when we support these businesses than if we send it off to parts unknown. So, let’s do our part to dine and shop locally for food whenever possible in 2023. Without further ado, here’s my annual list of favorite new supermarket products and memorable restaurant meals of 2022 to get you started: 1. Dave's Killer Bread Epic Everything Organic Breakfast Bread – Dave’s bread is not a new addition to my annual favorites list. I love just about every product, but his latest creation filled with 9 grams of whole grains per serving just moved to the top of the list. 2. Mario’s Chicken Parmesan – I’ve already extolled the many virtues of this Hattiesburg eatery, but have since found a dish that surpasses the spaghetti and meatballs. I sampled a similar dish of chicken parm at Carmine’s in New York City that I thought couldn't be replicated. Mario’s version comes close – and in fact, may equal – Carmine’s world-famous version. Mario’s creation consists of a massive crispy chicken breast smothered with delicious red sauce and cheese on an equally impressive bed of pasta. With their famous homemade garlic rolls and a salad topped with Comeback-style dressing, it’s easily one of the best meals in Mississippi. 3. Eggo Grab & Go Liége-Style Waffles– I can’t count the number of times I’ve attempted to drive while eating a toasted waffle topped with “just a little” syrup only to end up at my destination and smelling like syrup. Eggo has come up with a genius – and delicious – way to diffuse the problem. This new waffle, designed like the Belgian variety, was baked with maple syrup in the dough, eliminating the need for syrup. Genius! 4. Taranto’s Fried Shrimp Po’boy – Like Mario’s, I’ve written about this Biloxi eatery tucked away in the Woolmarket community. Offering old-Coast ambiance and similarly-prepared dishes, I’ve never had a bad meal anytime I’ve stopped by. The ribeye po’boy comes close, but doesn't surpass the perfectly-prepared shrimp po’boy with a side of delicious gumbo. 5. Dolly Parton's Southern Style Coconut Cake Mix – You just know anything created by Dolly is going to be good. Duncan Hines’ cake mix with the flamboyant singer’s face and name on the box doesn’t disappoint. A light and fluffy cake is the end result – and even if it’s not “exactly” homemade, who can resist a Dolly cake? 6. Happy Steak at Jose’s Restaurant and Grill – I’ve been open about the fact that Mexican is far from my favorite cuisine. However, all reservations disappear anytime I order this dish at the bustling eatery near Walmart in Magee. Tangy bites of grilled steak are tossed with sautéed onions, peppers and other vegetables and served over Spanish rice with a light white cheese sauce. Coming in a close second is Jose’s shrimp and grits. 7. Country Crock Plant Cream – I recommend this vegan product, but not for the obvious reasons. Yes, it’s perfect for the lactose-intolerant among us, but finding heavy cream in the dairy case to thicken soups and sauces can sometimes be challenging. It’s the perfect substitute and unlike some vegan products, passes the taste test. 8. New England Shrimp Roll at Shaggy's on the Rez - Disclaimer: this amazing sandwich was part of Shaggy's limited World Tour menu this summer. I'm hoping it makes a return in 2023, but in the meantime, you won't go wrong by ordering anything at this multi-story restaurant offering stunning view of the Barnett Reservoir. Favorites include the shrimp po'boy, snapper platter, royal reds with sausage and potatoes and Shaggy's famous cheeseburger. 9. Rao's Homemade Bolognese Tomato Sauce - So far, I've only been able to find this variety of Rao's line of jarred pasta sauces at Fresh Market at Ridgeland. Served over Garofalo bucatini pasta (also found at Fresh Market), it's one of my favorite comfort meals on all time. 10. Philadelphia Whipped Cream Cheese Garlic & Herb – The charcuterie board craze doesn't appear to be disappearing anytime soon. Most contain some type of spread, usually cream cheese, but that can be a little boring. Taking things up a notch is this tangy product, perfect for spreading on bagels, crackers and using as a sandwich filling. As we close out 2022, I send my thanks to each of you for reading and responding to my columns with positive words, suggestions and an email here and there to say hello. Please continue to stay in touch and share your ideas and discoveries throughout the year. Although I don’t believe in “luck,” it’s fun to eat this dish filled with black-eyed peas and rice – just two of the items Southerners believe will get the New Year off to a great start. With sides of pork and cabbage, it can’t hurt – right? Happy New Year! ‘Lucky’ 2023 Hoppin’ John Two cups black-eyed peas, cooked Two cups rice, cooked Two tablespoons butter Small onion, chopped Small red or green bell pepper, chopped ¼ teaspoon garlic powder Salt and pepper to taste. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic powder and cook for five minutes. Add cooked peas and rice and cook an additional 10 to 15 minutes, stirring to thoroughly combine all ingredients. Note: This is a great way to recycle leftover black-eyed peas on Jan. 2! Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

Nowadays, identifying with a gender-and deciding to be that gender- rapidly seems to be becoming the norm. Some parents have decided, and actually encourage very impressionable young Juniors and Juniorettes to choose for themselves who and what they are. Nothing based on biological anatomy, but simply upon, “This is what I think and feel, therefore I am.” Sure, we all want to act on what we think and feel. That is a natural tendency, as self-absorbed human beings. But does that make it okay with the Creator? The Bible is full of examples of people wanting to behave a certain way that wasn’t in line with what God wanted. And later on, finding they didn’t like the consequences of acting on their impulses. Folks, think for a minute. Since when have we decided that we know more than the One who created us? Why would we let our emotions, our thoughts, and our situation determine how we live our life? Since when has our feelings become Truth? Just because someone decides to act upon a decision they have made, that doesn’t mean that their decision is based in truth. Just because a person states, “It’s my truth” doesn’t make it true. And it certainly doesn’t make the possible consequences of that decision any less negative. For example, if I decide that I identify with camels and therefore I can live without water for the next fourteen days, that does not mean that I can do that. The consequences of that decision will be negative, I assure you, no matter what I choose to believe. No matter how much water I do not drink during that time, I will not be a camel. Just a super-dehydrated, very ill at best, human being, in need of someone to help me understand that my decision to identify with camels, and not people, was ill-conceived. Oh, yes, we definitely are free to make choices. But we need to fully understand that when it is not a good choice in the eyes of our Creator, we will not like what happens in the aftermath. Just because someone makes a decision does not mean it’s right, plausible, possible, or allowable in the eyes of our Creator. Our Creator…. those very words carry all the weight. The weight is not in what you want to believe – contrary to what you want to believe. He gets to make all the choices, when it comes to gender. A person can make all the decisions for his life, according to what he believes. True statement. But another true statement? There will be consequences, good or painful, that will happen from those decisions. Because the Creator is alive and well, and He alone has the right and the ability to bring consequences that He knows fits our decisions.

Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Chaney hopes everyone will take precautions when shooting fireworks. “Fireworks cause thousands of injuries in the U.S. every year,” said Chaney. “Children are especially at risk for injury. Teach your child not to point or throw fireworks at people, animals, or buildings. Show children how to put fireworks in buckets of water and dispose of them properly so as not to start a fire.” The Mississippi State Fire Marshal recommends these additional safety tips: Observe local laws. Those wishing to purchase and use fireworks should first check with their fire protection officials to make sure that local laws are being followed. Some municipalities prohibit fireworks from being used within city limits. Use common sense: always read and follow the directions on each firework. Never point or throw fireworks at another person. Buy from reliable fireworks sellers. Store them in a cool, dry place. Always have an adult present when shooting fireworks. Put used fireworks in a bucket of water and have a hose ready. Only use fireworks outdoors, away from homes, dry grass, and trees. Light only one item at a time and keep a safe distance. Never experiment or attempt to make your own fireworks. Never re-ignite malfunctioning fireworks. Never give fireworks to small children. Never carry fireworks in your pocket. Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.

Betty Hartley Maeve Robinson Betty Hartley and Maeve Robinson were November Wesson Public Library books giveaway winners. Hartley received the adult category prize book – No Plan B by Lee Childs -- and Robinson received The Night Before Christmas, the children/youth category prize. Mary Hopson also won $50 for prolific reading the Library’s “Fall for Books” promotion during September, Octobers and early November. Hopson checked out 34 books from the library during the time frame to get the prize money. Friends of the Library (FOL) funds the prize books awarded in drawings every month and sponsored the special fall promotion. The goal is to bring people to the library to learn how it can meet their needs. During “Fall for Books,” FOL tracked book checkouts by library patrons to motivate readers. FOL is a support organization that conducts fundraisers for the library and assists in its programming through advice and counsel, volunteers, and donations.

Special wreath-laying ceremonies will honor veterans buried in area cemeteries this weekend as part of a national program recognizing more than two million deceased veterans at grave sites in 2,100 cemeteries throughout the nation. Wreaths will be laid at the graves of veterans in Crystal Springs, Beauregard, Georgetown, Hazlehurst and Wesson town cemeteries and at Sylvarena Baptist Church and Stronghope Baptist Church cemeteries as part of Wreaths Across America (WAA). The Wesson ceremony will start at the American Legion hall on Main Street at 11 a.m. on December 17 with remarks about the sacrifices of war veterans and special comments by Alton Ricks followed by wreath-laying at grave sites in Wesson Cemetery where volunteers will say aloud the names of the memorialized veterans and offer prayers. The ceremonies and wreath-laying will be part of the worship service at Sylvanena Baptist Church and follow the worship service at Stronghope Baptist Church on December 18. The Georgetown event will be on December 19. Wesson-based Socks for Heroes (SFH) Cathy Stroud, Mamie Dubose, Dixie Thornton and Jean King coordinated the WAA events at Wesson and Georgetown town cemeteries and the Sylvarena and Stronghope churches. The number of grave sites exceeded the number wreaths SFH could purchase for the local ceremonies this year, but fundraising will be ongoing for the future, Stroud said. The wreaths cost $15 each, and contributions can be made to SFH through Stroud, Sharon Langley and Janet Currie. Call 601-695-4140 for information. "Our mission is to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and to teach our children the value of freedom," Stroud says. "We take time out to recognize the people that made the ultimate sacrifice." WAA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992 when his organization -- Worcester Wreath in Maine -- found itself with a surplus of wreaths nearing the end of the holiday season. Remembering a moving boyhood experience at Arlington National Cemetery, Worcester seized on it as an opportunity to honor the country’s veterans. With the aid of Maine Senator Olympia Snowe, Worcester arranged for the wreaths to be placed at Arlington in one of the older sections of the cemetery that had been receiving fewer visitors with each passing year. A number of other individuals and organizations stepped up to help, including a local trucking company that transported the wreaths to Virginia, volunteers from local American Legion and VFW Posts and members of the Maine State Society of Washington, D.C. who helped make wreaths and organized laying them. The event continued quietly each year until 2005, when a photo of gravestones at Arlington, adorned with wreaths and covered in snow, circulated around the internet. The event drew national attention and expanded to thousands of other locations where the Arlington ceremonies were emulated. The Arlington wreath-laying is still held annually, on the second or third Saturday of December. WAA's annual pilgrimage from Harrington, Maine, to Arlington National Cemetery has become known as the world’s largest veterans’ parade, stopping at schools, monuments, veterans’ homes and communities all along the way to remind people how important it is to remember, honor and teach about the contributions of those who served their country in war time.

By Bob Garver We were first introduced to dashing animated feline Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) in “Shrek 2” all the way back in 2004. The character appeared in two more “Shrek” sequels before headlining his own self-titled movie in 2011. Now comes “The Last Wish,” a sequel that depends on audiences still caring about the character after more than a decade out of the limelight. The film’s disappointing box office over Christmas weekend ($17 million domestic, barely half of what the first solo film did on Halloween weekend in 2011) indicates that he no longer has his former drawing power. But having seen the film, I say that he should. The new film opens with a classic Puss in Boots adventure: Puss throws a party at the home of an uptight governor and saves a village from a rampaging cyclops. Things are going great until he gets killed. End of movie. Just kidding, he’s a cat, he has nine lives. Problem is, that was life number eight. If he gets killed one more time, he’ll die. After a close call with an apparently-bounty-hunting wolf (Wagner Moura), he decides to retire to the home of a cat hoarder (Da’Vine Joy Randolph). A life of pet food and litter boxes isn’t for him, and he’s further annoyed by an unsuccessful therapy dog (Harvey Guillen) hiding out among the cats. He’s soon clued-in to a race to steal the mythical Wishing Star, which grants a single wish to whoever can get to it first. He can wish for his nine lives back! He could also wish for unlimited lives, but the point is – magical quest! It’s a magical quest where he has to drag along the clingy therapy dog, but a quest nonetheless. Also in pursuit of the star are former lover and current rival Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek), pie magnate and magic collector Big Jack Horner (John Mulaney), and the Goldilocks and the Three Bears Crime Family, consisting of Goldilocks (Florence Pugh), Papa Bear (Ray Winstone), Mama Bear (Olivia Coleman), and Baby Bear (Samson Kayo). Goldilocks and the Three Bears have such a fun dynamic and chemistry that I’d like to see them get their own spinoff. Sadly that’s unlikely with this film’s underperformance, but what we get of them here is delightful. What we get of everyone here is delightful. The cast is filled with actors that are funny every time they open their mouths. This is especially true of Banderas, who exaggerates his voice so much that I was laughing even when he was delivering straight lines. The writing is funny too, with some endearingly dark humor. The highlight of the film is a montage of Puss’s deaths, handled in a family-friendly, “Haunted Mansion” sort of way. The therapy dog steals the show, with his unbridled positivity in the face of a lifetime of bullying. Real bullying isn’t funny, the character’s attitude in spite of bullying is. And it should go without saying in a movie about animated cats and dogs, but the film’s cuteness level is raging. “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” may not be the strongest of adventure movies. The characters’ motivations don’t always make sense (too many are frustratingly unambitious with their wishes), the story follows predictable beats of reluctant alliances, betrayals, and forgiveness, and the animation has a weird habit of turning into a cheap 2-D style during action sequences. But it works just fine as a comedy, and a family comedy at that. By all means take the kids and relatives to see it this holiday season. It’s implied that there’s a sequel with some familiar friends on the horizon, but this movie needs your business first. Grade: B “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” is rated PG for action/violence, rude humor/language, and some scary moments. Its running time is 100 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

Wesson Attendance Center (WAC) honored 41 veterans last months in conjunction with the national Veterans Day celebration. WAC feted the local veterans with a breakfast .Elementary students at WAC thanked each veteran for his or her contributions to the country in a reception line following the breakfast and a special program with music and readings in the old gymnasium spotlighted the service of veterans.

By Guest Columnist Gary R. Bachman My favorite definition of a horticulturist is paraphrased as “We make plants do what we want, when we want them to do it.” A couple of seasonal items found in garden centers that are perfect examples of forcing bulbs -- making plants do what we want and when we want it -- are amaryllis and paperwhite bulbs. These are fun and easy holiday plants, and it’s amazing to watch them grow. The amaryllis with its beautiful and big funnel-shaped flowers are so popular that the National Garden Bureau named 2022 the Year of the Amaryllis. You can buy the bulb by itself or pick up a kit that has everything you need. The planting and care instructions are easy. Use a good container mix, which is provided if you buy the kit. Plant with the top third of the bulb exposed. Water sparingly, as the amaryllis doesn’t require much. Place it in a bright window but not in direct sunlight when the flower stalk starts to grow, water as needed. Don’t allow the pot to dry out. Once the flower starts to fade, remove the stalk and allow the leaves to grow and store carbohydrates for next year. If you’re in south Mississippi, you can move these bulbs to the garden in the spring. I remember several years ago throwing out an amaryllis bulb into my back flower bed, and it came back on its own for several years, blooming in early summer. A new-to-me way to grow this plant for the holidays is to use waxed amaryllis bulbs. Believe it or not, everything that an amaryllis needs is in the bulb. A waxed bulb doesn’t need to be watered and will produce beautiful, care-free flowers. Paperwhite daffodil bulbs produce multiple flowers that are very fragrant. You grow these plants by following the same instructions as with the amaryllis bulbs. The downside of growing paperwhites is that the flower stalks and foliage tend to be quite leggy. Their abundant flower production makes them top heavy, so support is needed. An old technique that was proven in the lab by my old masters’ degree advisor is to water paperwhites using a dilute solution of cheap alcohol. The alcohol interferes with water uptake and results in shorter, more stable foliage and flower stalks. They grow about one-half to one-third shorter when you use this trick. Make the watering solution by diluting one part cheap alcohol to seven parts water. A friend of mine uses cheap gin, but I use cheap vodka because cheap gin is still too good to waste on a paperwhite. If you’d like more information on forcing bulbs, check out our Southern Gardening TV segment, http://extension.msstate.edu/southern-gardening/video/2016/forcing-bulbs. EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Gary Bachman is an Extension and research professor of horticulture at the Mississippi State University Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi. He is also the host of the popular Southern Gardening television and radio programs.

The campus of Wesson Attendance Center has new landscapers on its grounds. A class of Journey students at WAC are planning and planting a flowerbed on the elementary playground. The Wesson Garden Club is assisting in leading the class taught by Susan Lee, but the students are doing the work. Their mission is simple: learning. How better to learn about nature and growing plants. The students (left to right) are Liam Hamilton, Zymiria Crawford, Riley Berch, Abby Brooks, Peck Newman and Cooper King.

By Guest Columnist Stephanie Duguid Strive to maintain your well-being this holiday season by making healthier choices. During this time of year, weight gain and increased stress are almost inevitable Make positive choices to minimize stress, and do your best to stick to healthy practices such as exercise to assure that you and your loved ones get the most out of this joyous time of year. Many think: ”So what's the harm in a little holiday weight gain, especially if it's just a pound?” According to researchers at the National Institutes of Health, most Americans never lose the weight they gain during the winter holidays. On average, Americans add one to five pounds during the holiday season. The pounds add up year after year, making holiday weight gain an important contributor to adult obesity. Here are some tips for activity and food consumption to make it through the season: Go with a plan: Make a point to be active 30 minutes a day and focus on your goals. Never arrive hungry: Before a party or large meal, munch on some raw vegetables or a piece of fruit to curb your appetite. Pace yourself: Eat slowly to give your stomach time to tell you it is full. Divert your attention: At holiday parties, stay away from the food table and mingle with others. Outsmart the buffet: Use the smallest plate available and don’t stack your food. Be sure to watch out for sauces and dips that quickly add on the extra calories. Limit alcohol: It’s not just about the calories, it is about the control. Be safe and take control of your choices. Stay active: Even in the hustle and bustle of the season, it is important to stay physically active. Take a walk after the meal. The holiday season also brings unwelcome guests -- stress and depression -- with a dizzying array of demands: parties, shopping, baking, cleaning and entertaining, to name just a few. If you let stress get the best of you, it can cause: Heart disease, including heart attacks. Skin conditions, including psoriasis and shingles. Digestive disorder flare-ups, such as symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease. Immune disorders, including flare-ups of multiple sclerosis and lupus. Anxiety and insomnia. Worsening pain, if you already have a pain disorder such as arthritis, back pain, and muscle spasms. However, you can minimize the stress that accompanies the holidays. You may even end up enjoying the holidays more than you thought you would. When stress is at its peak, it's hard to stop and regroup. Try to prevent stress and depression in the first place, especially if the holidays have taken an emotional toll on you in the past: 1. Acknowledge your feelings and reach out. If someone close to you has recently died or you can't be with loved ones, realize that it's normal to feel sadness and grief. If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious or social events. 2. Be realistic. The holidays don't have to be perfect or just like last year. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. 3. Set aside differences. Try to accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don't live up to all of your expectations. Chances are they're feeling the effects of holiday stress and depression, too. 4. Stick to a budget. Before you go gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget. Try these alternatives: Donate to a charity in someone's name. Give homemade gifts. Start a family gift exchange. Offer others the gift of wellness by giving subscriptions to health magazines, gym memberships, or gift certificates for yoga classes. 5. Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other activities. Plan your menus and then make your shopping list. 6. Learn to say no. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. 7. Don't abandon healthy habits. Don't let the holidays become a free-for-all. Overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt. 8. Take a breather. Make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm. Don't let the holidays become something you dread. Instead, take steps stay healthy, and prevent stress. Learn to recognize your holiday triggers, such as financial pressures or personal demands, so you can combat them before they lead to a meltdown. With a little planning and some positive thinking, you can find peace and joy during the holidays. EDITOR'S NOTE: Stephanie Duguid is Dean of Academic Instruction at Co-Lin. She is also an athletic trainer and nutrition specialist and has been teaching courses related to those two areas as well as practicing what she preaches for more than twenty years.