By: Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson With inflation at its highest levels since 1981 and drivers getting squeezed at the pump by high gas prices, consumers are not just paying more for goods and services, they’re also paying more attention. We see that at the Department of Agriculture and Commerce as our consumer protection inspectors receive more requests for investigations at stores, and our petroleum inspectors field more complaints about questionable fuel. We want customers to get what they pay for, and we want businesses to succeed. Both of those depend on a fair market and that’s just good business. The state legislature designated MDAC’s Consumer Protection Division to enforce retail food safety and sanitation laws in grocery and convenience stores, to ensure businesses adhere to weights and measure standards, to require compliance with food labeling requirements, and to verify UPC bar codes so customers are charged at the register the same as the price on the shelf. MDAC inspectors routinely examine meat market sanitation, ensure food is stored at proper temperatures, confirm the availability of hot water and soap in restrooms, monitor stores for insects and rodents, and seek to keep spoiled or expired meat off the shelves. In the 2022 fiscal year, the Consumer Protection Division conducted 4,517 total inspections of businesses which included 5,842 retail scale inspections; 4,517 retail food sanitation inspections; 34,827 items for net weight; 2,762 disposition of garbage inspections; and 1,354 UPC price verification inspections. MDAC performs these inspections routinely. As consumers feel the cost pressure of inflation, they are more aware of the prices on the shelves. When prices go up, complaints – especially about prices at the register not matching prices on the shelves (UPC) – go up as well. Once we receive a complaint, the inspector investigates and, if a violation is found, works to get the business into compliance. If the complaint is not a violation, the inspection serves as an educational opportunity for the business and the customer. The same goes for our Petroleum Products Inspection Division which regulates 2.3 billion gallons of fuel consumed from Mississippi locations a year. All retail motor fuel – including gasoline, ethanol blended fuel, diesel, biodiesel, and kerosene – fall under this division which has samples analyzed at the Mississippi State Chemical Laboratory. The Mississippi State Chemical Lab checks for octane number, alcohol content, diesel flash point, biodiesel content, and whether water is present in the fuel. On site, inspectors check calibration as well as confirm signage to ensure the proper price is displayed and the proper fuel matches the advertised claim. The Petroleum Products Inspection Division conducts annual inspections of all fuel pumps (Retail Motor Fuel Dispensers) in the state. Last fiscal year, that included 57,745 registered devices at 2,657 stations. In addition to the routine inspections, there were 223 consumer complaints all of which were investigated within 24 hours. About 32 percent of the complaints required corrective action for noncompliance. Between the routine inspections and consumer complaints, the Department enforced 997 “stop sales.” While the Department of Agriculture and Commerce cannot do anything about the price of gas, we can make sure you get what you pay for, and the product is what it claims. As gas prices go up, complaints increase, but the violation rate stays about the same. I suspect you’re keeping an eye on costs, too. If you’re in a retail grocery store and see a discrepancy between the cost on the shelf and the price at the register, or notice spoiled or unsanitary food, please reach out to the MDAC Consumer Protection Division at 601-359-1148. Likewise, if you have problems at the pump and suspect you’re not getting the right fuel, the correct amount of fuel, there is water in the fuel, or you’re being charged incorrectly, please contact the Petroleum Products Inspection Division at 601-359-1101. Most businesses in Mississippi in violation of our fair market laws do so inadvertently. They want to treat their customers – their neighbors – fairly, and, when we point out noncompliance, they work quickly to remedy the situation. So, be sure to look for the “seal of approval” on all scales and pumps where you shop. You, our inspectors and Mississippi businesses working together can continue the fair standards that make our free market work.

Ever wonder why goofballs walk this earth? You know them, not a serious thought in their head for more than fifty-eight seconds at a time. They believe that life is a playground, and they need to enjoy each and every ride that exists. And taking on a serious role, where they have to act the part of the heavy? “Not happening, dude! That’s not the way I roll!” But we absolutely love having them in our lives, anyway. They have the ability to bring light and laughter wherever they go. Why are they here? When there is so much at stake? When children are being abused, nations are being plundered, and countless people are losing everything they have worked for years to acquire. What is their contribution to help this hurting world? Well, first of all, ain’t none of our business why God decided to make that particular version of His creation. I do believe He knows what He is doing, and He can make sense of it all. But, if I had to hazard a guess, and believe me it is only a guess, it would be this: What if everyone on earth were exactly like you or me in personality? Oh my. Just the thought makes me cringe. What if all of us were absent-minded, or serious to a fault, or perfectionists that drive everyone to want to drink, or legalists, or complainers, or any other personality we see. We would quickly drive each other up the wall, or life would get very boring, and a lot of work would never get done. We need each other. Warts and all. Every kind of person is essential to our life on earth. (Well, excepting homicidal sociopaths, I refuse to believe those kinds of traits are essential.) There is the Sanguine – who rarely meets a stranger. Fun and outgoing, but can be impulsive and spontaneous at the worst possible time. The Melancholy – a creative type, but also prone to worry and angst. Then the Phlegmatic – agreeable, steady minded, considerate, warm, but with a tendency be a wee bit dramatic. And the Choleric – brave and ambitious, but also can be bossy, deceitful, irritable and a tad violent. The Supine – sweet and quiet, but gets their feelings hurt very easily. And then there is all the rest of us, a mixture and blend of these major temperaments. Together we are a big ol’ melting pot of people, with every trait, ability, strength, fault and need you can imagine. Every person is needed. Just the way the Creator intended, I have to believe. So, what do you do when the one next to you is being irritating? Just sigh, hold your tongue and take a moment to try to imagine everyone approaching life just like you. (That’s enough to make you work a little harder to appreciate that co-worker whose stomping on your last nerve.)

Posted in Mississippi August 08, 2022 by Daniella DiRienzo There’s no doubt about it; Brookhaven is one of the best towns to visit in Mississippi. Touted as a “small, Southern town with a big personality,” it’s got lots to offer, including great food, history, things to do, and lots of charm, of course. Brookhaven is often referred to as a “home seekers paradise.” That's not its only claim to fame, though. It's also one of the best towns to visit in Mississippi. Visitors will find plenty to do in Brookhaven, which is located about 50 miles south of Jackson. And visitors can learn all about that history by visiting Brookhaven’s museums. In addition to the Lincoln County Historical and Jewish Heritage Museum, the town is home to the Military Memorial Museum. Historic structures also help to keep Brookhaven’s history alive. Buildings from yesteryear are scattered throughout the town, many of which are accompanied by informative signage. Elegant 19th-century homes are also abundant. A majority of the homes are nestled along Brookhaven’s Jackson Street, earning it the nickname “Mississippi's Most Victorian Street.” History meets the arts at Brookhaven Little Theatre. One of the longest continually running community theatres in the state, it’s been entertaining audiences for more than 50 years. Of course, Brookhaven isn't completely stuck in the past. Downtown boasts a bevy of shops and restaurants. And with Lake Lincoln State Park just a short drive from Brookhaven, recreational opportunities are also plentiful. Well, are you ready to experience Brookhaven firsthand? We thought so! Start planning your trip by checking out the Visit Brookhaven website. So, do you agree? Is Brookhaven one of the best towns to visit in Mississippi? Ever been to Brookhaven? If so, what’d you think? Tell us!

By Bob Arnold Back in the 1950s and 1960s when he was growing up in Brookhaven, Shaw Furlow really didn't have the skills to go far in sports, which he loved, nor did he enjoy the work his studies in school required. But from the sixth grade on, when he started playing the baritone horn (euphonium) and learning to be part of a band, music has been his passion. "My father used to say he couldn't easily rouse me from bed to go to school, but when the band director called, I would jump and run," he says. For 41years, Furlow taught music and directed bands at schools across Mississippi and Co-Lin. In retirement, he has turned a hobby of writing songs and playing them on his guitar into career of sorts, promotes his fellow musicians, and even finds time to write a column covering the arts world for the Wesson News. Born in Alexandria, Louisiana, Furlow settled in Brookhaven at age 5 with his parents and siblings when his father returned to his hometown to build a retail business and play golf, which was his passion. He grew up with two brothers and later a sister and played baseball, football, golf and tennis before discovering band and music. In the ninth grade, he played on the football team, but "I decided I would rather sit in the back of the bus with girls as a band member than sweat at the bottom of a pile under a bunch of boys on the football field," he jokes. Furlow graduated from Brookhaven High School in 1969 and attended Co-Lin, giving up plans to attend Mississippi State University after his father died in his senior years to be near his mother, left on her own at 45 years old. Following two years at Co-Lin, where he studied music education, he headed off to Delta State -- a school he didn't even know existed until Co-Lin professors told him it was the place for budding musicians and band directors to go. "I drove there, referring to a roadmap throughout the trip, and left two years later with a BA in music education to start a career teaching music and directing bands," he says. He would later return to Delta State to earn a Master's Degree in music education after deciding that graduate studies in guidance counseling and secondary education to become a school principal didn't lead to careers he wanted to pursue. "That would have been hard work," he notes. Although Furlow says his dream job was being the ring master for the Barnum & Bailey Circus, his career before retirement revolved around teaching music and directing bands -- first at Crystal Springs High School, where he rebuilt a band that had 13 students from sixth grade through high school when he came into one with 75 students at the high school level alone when he left five years later. He subsequently spent one year in Newton, Mississippi, seven years at Yazoo City High School and 13 years at Jackson Preparatory School before coming to Co-Lin, where he served as band director for 16 years. "People will tell you the best part of being a band director is working with your students and their parents, getting to know the people," Furlow says. "All that is true, but I also enjoyed the events -- traveling on a bus and directing the Yazoo City jazz band at the All American Jazz Festival in Mobile, Alabama, going with the Co-Lin band to a football bowl game. "At Jackson Prep, I directed a band from a school with a reputation for being aloof and snotty," he recalls. "At one stadium appearance, we were booed. When we returned the following year, we were greeted with a standing ovation. That was a great feeling'" When he retired from Co-Lin in 2015, Furlow recalls facing two options: "Sitting on a deck chair, drinking beer on my back porch or doing something productive." Furlow chose the latter. For a brief a period, he directed and managed the Mississippi Music Hall of Fame. He worked part time with area high school bands for Brookhaven Music and Sound. In 2010, Furlow had started to become more serious about his songwriting and performing, and he intensified his work in retirement, turning what was once a hobby into a job. "My music has a country flare and it tells stories," he says. "I'm not a poet -- I wish I was, but I try to write clever lyrics. My music isn't about beer, trucks or mama." Trips to singer-songwriter festivals throughout the region connected him to "great people with real jobs who also want to share their music and help each other," inspiring him to start his own -- the annual Overbrook Singer-Songwriter Festival at Brookhaven, which brought 29 of them from throughout the southeast to five local venues this past weekend to perform and tell their stories for the third year since 2019. "In contrast to other festivals which charge musicians, we pay our artists," he says proudly. In retirement, Furlow also started working in video production, hosting his own show that promotes local musicians, co-hosting one with local singer-songwriter Charlie Hewitt and helping produce a documentary on Brookstock, the annual summer Brookhaven rock festival. Among his many accomplishments, Furlow cites rearing his son Cole as his most rewarding and satisfying. An accomplished musician in his own right, Cole writes and produces music and operates a recording studio, where Furlow has worked with him on projects. A few years ago, Furlow traveled with his son in Europe when he was on tour. What are your hobbies? Since writing songs and playing them became a job, playing with my dog Flint has been my chief diversion from work. Whether it's in work or play, I do enjoy working with words -- not only as a songwriter, but as a columnist for Wesson News on the overall arts scene as well. Are you a reader? I am into fiction mainly, particularly murder mysteries, like the Greg Iles books. I also enjoy reading the late Larry Brown, a gritty Southern writer, the author of Dirty Works. Do you enjoy movies or theater? Like my reading, I enjoy shoot-em-up and crime stories, although I have directed and acted in musicals -- several as part of Brookhaven Little Theater. I have written plays that have never been produced. One takes place in an elevator. I called it "Going Up." I've always wanted to play Cervantes in "Man from La Mancha" and wanted to write something like "Chorus Line." I am also very much a television fan because I enjoy stories. Do you enjoy any music beyond your own? I am eclectic -- from Texas Blues guitarist Stevey Ray Vaughn to Beethoven, whose melodies can change any mood I am in. When I was in Yazoo City, I got into jazz, meeting and working with Allen Vizautti and Ray Poazy there. What would you do with lottery winnings if you were so lucky? I would redo my backyard, building a new garage, hire a full-time housekeeper, use it to live happily ever after and give away the rest, mostly for scholarships. How would you change the world? I would make sure everyone is properly fed and housed.

Assistance from citizens and a Co-Lin maintenance worker in helping labor-short town crews repair a water main drew special praise from Wesson Mayor Alton Shaw at the July Board of Aldermen meeting. On July 4, the Wesson water department was caught short-handed when an eight-inch water main buried 12-feet underground ruptured disrupted service near Highway 51. "People who didn't need to be there came out to help in the midst of a major storm and assisted until midnight," Shaw said. The Mayor singled out citizen Mark Kirton, Co-Lin maintenance worker Dale Rushing and Chad Hester, husband of Town Clerk Angela Hester, for their service in the emergency in helping town worker Jonathan Hutt.

By Bob Arnold Mayor Alton Shaw, Town Clerk Angela Hester, Public Works Director Brad Turner and town Aldermen Jarred Ashley, Billy Ellison, Larry Hall and Michael King returned from the 91st annual conference of the Mississippi Municipal League (MML) at the convention center in Biloxi newly-prepared for their individual leadership roles and to work better as a team. They joined some 3,000 municipal elected officials, municipal employees, state agency representatives, legislators, exhibitors, among others at the annual event. Representatives from state and federal agencies as featured speakers and leaders of educational sessions brought them the insights, knowledge and perspectives the Wesson officials need for their jobs and the locals polished their team-playing mindset and skills in a deep sea fishing experience they found at the coastal Mississippi conference site. The MML annual conference is the largest association event held in the state each year. "Blast Off to Municipal Excellence" framed an array of topics as the conference theme, including state laws, grant opportunities, medical marijuana, municipal liability, community and economic development, infrastructure funding, disaster recovery, and water and sewer issues. Every year, the Wesson contingent finds a special team-building experience when they attend the conference, says Town Clerk Hester. This year, it was a deep sea fishing adventure provided by Silver Dollar Three. "We pick experiences that are not only fun and relaxing activities, but are also group exercises in which we learn about each other -- our strengths and weaknesses," explains Hester. "We come out of them a stronger team that can work together better." Other highlights of the conference were presentation of 2022 Municipal Excellence Awards, an induction ceremony for the 2022 Municipal Hall of Fame and an expo show, showcasing more than 150 businesses, state agencies and other organizations. The Certified Municipal Official program graduated more than 100 municipal leaders. This year’s conference also welcomed Municipal Court Clerks into the event for the first time. Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch spoke to them about victims of human trafficking and the state's new Commercial Sexual Exploitation Fund that will be partially funded by fines that have been increased to $1,000 on persons convicted of simple and aggravated assault, including aggravated domestic violence; human trafficking, statutory rape, including forcible sexual intercourse; sexual battery, offenses affecting children and procuring prostitution. Going forward, the Court Clerks will be training alongside other MML members at the conference. “This conference allows municipal elected officials from across the state to participate in educational sessions taught by subject matter experts on topics critical to the operation of municipal government," 2021-22 MML President Errick D. Simmons, Mayor of Greenville, Mississippi, said.. "As we continue to work to strengthen Mississippi, we also have the opportunity to network and share ideas with each other to move our communities and our state forward together. The educational programs and networking opportunities were second to none. The sessions provided excellent resources for all of us as we face the various challenges and opportunities."

By Bob Arnold With the Wesson police and fire departments, library and city hall on the western stretch of Spring Street off Highway 51 in the downtown area, the roadway is turning into a government and municipal services thorofare, and Wesson Alderman have taken two more steps to advance the progress. At their July meeting, the Alderman moved to purchase the property and small cottage-like house between the library and new police department headquarters and approved repairs and aesthetic changes for the fire department building. The goal is to house all government and municipal functions on Spring Street and make the building architecturally compatible, officials says. In other actions, the Aldermen: Delayed adoption of water ordinance changes pending customer notifications. Approved closures of 17th, 18th Streets and a portion of West Street in compliance with state law on property Larry Ashley intends to develop on the west of Highway 51. The abandoned streets are shown on town documents, but do not physically exist. Granted Wesson Volunteer Fire Department permission to purchase equipment funded by a CenterPoint Energy Community Partnership grant. Moved Police Officers Garrett Starkey from a full-time to part-time position. Set a public hearing on the proposed 2022-23 town budget for the August 2 Board of Aldermen meeting at 6 p.m. prior to a vote to approve it in September. Passed a resolution recommended by the Mississippi Municipal League on use of federal water infrastructure funds.

By Kara Kimbrough Following up on my promise to share new “must try” restaurant dishes, it’s time to move a little further north from the Gulf Coast to the Pine Belt. Filled with close to 20 cities and towns offering a plethora of great restaurants, ranging from family-owned diners to fine dining, it’s hard to narrow down my favorites. However, it must be done and if your eatery didn’t make the list, drop me an email and I’ll include it in future columns. As I mentioned last week, call first before heading out to a new place. With labor and food shortages still causing problems, many restaurants adjust hours at a moment’s notice. 1. Collins…it’s one of those places people sometimes describe with the words, “Oh yeah…I pass by it all the time when I’m traveling on Highway 49.” One of the best reasons for a detour is Deli Diner, a somewhat humble-looking establishment housed in a renovated Sonic frequented by me and high school friends. Fast forward to today, when regional and national publications are describing the fresh, innovative cuisine of the family-owned restaurant. Sandwiches, paninis, burgers and an impressively-long list of salads are on the menu. So far, my favorite pick is the grilled redfish sandwich; running a close second is Deli Diner’s shrimp po’boy. 704 S. Fir Ave., Collins; 601-765-4359. 2. Further west in Columbia, Magnolia Grille is known as one of the best places to dine when in search of a sumptuous Southern buffet, steak dinner or healthy salad bar. And that’s the short list. Each dish is worth a try, but I gravitate to one outstanding dish: Mardi Gras pasta. Pasta is tossed with chicken, shrimp, sausage, peppers and onions and seasonings, then topped with a creamy Cajun sauce. Who needs New Orleans when this dish is on the menu? 115 R A Johnson Dr., Columbia; 601-736-2222. 3. One of valuable perks of working for Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson was discovering restaurants in nearby Brookhaven. A co-worker treated me to lunch at Broma’s Deli on my first day and I’ve been hooked ever since. As a creature of habit, the French Dip sandwich with the restaurant’s famous homemade chips is my regular order. It’s a shame, too, since I’ve never sampled anything else on the menu, including burgers, salads, soups, loaded potatoes and much more. 1203 Hampton Dr., Brookhaven; 601-823-2224. 4. In the eastern part of the Pine Belt, Laurel is quickly becoming the destination of choice for tourists from around the U.S. and even the world. One of my favorite things about Laurel is the transformation of old downtown buildings into shops and restaurants that retain the charm of yesteryear. Lee’s Coffee & Tea, housed in a Sears store from a bygone era, is a charming place to enjoy the aforementioned beverages, order a bountiful breakfast or stop by for lunch. At my Laurel friend’s urging, I ordered founder Aunt Lee’s pimento cheese sandwich. It’s a unique combination of a BLT and homemade pimento cheese. Skeptical at first, I was a quick convert to the unique sandwich. Stop by for this treat and so much more. 409 W. Oak St., Laurel; 601-649-4161. 5. Asking me to pick a favorite at one of Hattiesburg’s hundreds of restaurants in a near-impossible task. I’ll stop short of saying it’s “the best,” but the ‘que at Strick’s BBQ is pretty close. Another hard task is selecting one item as Strick’s star. Strick’s has been a Hattiesburg staple for 42 years so they've had plenty of time to perfect the menu. But, if I have to pick one, Strick's hickory-smoked wings are at the top of the list. 3802 W. 4th St., Hattiesburg; 601-264-2502. Moving further north to share culinary delights in the central part of the state is on tap for next week. Feel free to share your favorite places, along with top menu picks for an outstanding meal. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

The Mississippi Ag & Outdoor Expo, the State’s largest buying exhibition of everything for agriculture, the outdoors, and hunting and fishing, returns to the Trade Mart in Jackson August 5-7. The Ag and Outdoor Expo will be hosted by The Foundation for Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks and presented by Southern AgCredit. “This show will highlight the incredible hunting, fishing, agricultural and outdoor spirit of our great state,” said Don Brazil, CEO of The Foundation. “The Foundation is proud to be a part of this show and we look forward to the great time we will have together in August!” Mississippi’s premier outdoor show will fill the 60,000 square foot exhibit floor of the Trade Mart with displays of tractors, implements, power equipment, boats, UTVs, rods, reels, lures, game calls, outdoor clothing and more, all available at special Expo pricing. For the younger members of the family, an archery shoot will be hosted by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. The MDWFP Museum of Natural Science will have a special display featuring animals and interactive displays for children. Joining the Expo for a great August weekend of activities at the Fairgrounds will be the exciting Bulls, Bands, and Barrels event, scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 6 at Mississippi Coliseum. Featuring rising country music star, Chase Matthew along with Justin Champagne and Cole Jones, Bulls, Bands and Barrels promises to be an unforgettable experience. World renowned championship cowboy, Chris Shivers will be a featured guest/participant at the event as well. Ag and Outdoor Expo Dates and Ticket Info: Show Hours 12 to 7 p.m. – Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Sunday. Tickets Adults – 13 years & older … $12.00 Kids – 6-12 years old ………. $6.00 Kids – 5 years and under ….. Free

The man had a heart attack. His cardiologist then told him he had to walk at least forty-five minutes daily, the rest of his life. So off he went, just like the mailman – rain, sleet, snow, or burning sun. Walking became a regular part of his days. Then he began to notice discomfort in his foot, which developed into severe disabling pain. He went to the foot doctor, who diagnosed him with plantar fasciitis. She agreed with his cardiologist to keep on hoofing it, as walking would benefit healing the plantar fasciitis, while it also helped protect his heart. So, she sent him to a special shoe store to be fitted with walking shoes that would protect the foot problem area. Sure enough, the shoe doc knew what to do, and fitted him with special ‘Plantar Protect Shoes.’ Daily promenading through the neighborhood continued. Slight groaning and griping included. But then the day came when he began to notice pain somewhere else. Swelling on the outside of his foot. Told his foot therapist, who informed him he was compensating for the plantar pain by walking on the outside of his foot. By trying to protect himself from the original site of pain, he was now causing pain somewhere else. So, he had to purchase a different pair of shoes that will protect from both problems, keep walking, and make certain to ice his foot afterwards. Beginning to sense a pattern here, folks? Layer upon layer? Sounds exactly like some people who have emotional pain in their life. Someone grows up with a less-than-wonderful childhood. This leaves memories that create issues and difficulty living as an adult. Trying to avoid that pain, they find ways to cope. Drinking, drugs, escapism by gambling or compulsive shopping…et cetera. Anything to find a way to deal with the pain and continue living. But that very coping skill can create a problem in itself. So now, there can be addiction, family issues, job loss, financial ruin, or whatever else, in addition to the original problem. Don’t do that. Don’t hurt yourself worse, by trying to handle your hurt. Now, I do recognize that too many times there are no easy pat answers to our physical or emotional pain. Anyone who tells you that there is - can be lying to your face. Aching and hurting are an ongoing part of living, especially the more of life we experience. But it’s smarter to do our dead-level best to notice and deal with the original pain as soon as possible. So hopefully it doesn’t develop into a bigger headache as time goes on. Like that small insignificant spider web on your porch that you ignore today – twenty-four hours later it can be this massive, disgusting, slimy mess that clings to your face and hair when you stumble through it on your way out of the house.

By Kara Kimbrough Last-blast-before-school trips and other reasons to hit the road in search of fun and sun caused readers to reach out asking for my favorite dishes around the state. Looking back, I realized the same places and their signature dishes are often on the list. I’m happy to share these tried-and-true places if you want to drop me an email. However, it’s time to branch out and include a few others. The list is so long I have to divide the list, focusing first on the state’s southern region. The remainder of my picks will be shared in future columns. In no particular order, here are a few can’t-miss dishes in the southern part of the state. As with any restaurant these days, it’s best to call before you go to check days and hours of operation. 1. Thorny Oyster in Bay St. Louis is perhaps better known for its fresh, innovative seafood dishes, but it’s the post-dinner peach-blueberry crisp that keeps calling me back. The crisp might sound like an ordinary dish, but when you taste the dish filled with fresh fruit with a brown sugar oat topping with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, you’ll understand why it made the list. 104 N. Beach Blvd., Bay St. Louis; 228-688-0401. 2. J’s in Waveland is a humble place tucked into a strip mall, but don’t let the exterior keep you from stopping in. I sampled J’s fried shrimp stuffed potato years ago during a media tour and have been going back for more ever since. Don’t expect gourmet food or fancy surroundings; instead, you’ll get friendly, down-home service from the twin sister servers and delicious, hearty dishes like grilled steaks, pasta and po’boys. 304 US-90, Waveland; 228-467-9176. 3. Burger Burger’s burgers…sounds like alliteration, but it’s actually a great culinary option when seeking an old-school Gulf Coast experience. Don’t expect a normal round bun with a similarly-shaped patty. Instead, expect grilled burger pieces topped with a secret sauce lining a po’boy bun. Make that a very long bun, freshly-baked and delivered straight to the restaurant. Enjoying this unusual treat while sitting on the veranda as ceiling fans twirl overhead and large oak trees provide additional shade creates an unforgettable meal. 1039 E. Howard Ave., Biloxi; 228-432-5183. 4. Downtown Bistro in, as the name suggests, downtown Gulfport, was new on my culinary radar when a friend and I stopped by recently to listen to live music and enjoy a meal. I gravitated to the appetizers on the menu and spotted the grilled cheese, blackberry jam and smoked bacon sandwich. Learning the accomplished chef considers it one of his signature dishes, I anticipated an above-average sandwich. My expectations were raised even higher when I tasted what I can easily call one of the best sandwiches of my life. 1307 25th Ave., Gulfport; 228-284-4531. 5. Finding great pizza on the Gulf Coast is not at hard as you might think. There are many locally-owned pizzerias from which to choose; one of my favorites remains Tony’s Brick Oven Pizzeria. I simply can’t get enough of the gumbo pizza topped with shrimp, crab meat, sausage, tomatoes, okra, cheese and spices. Running a close second is the spicy shrimp pizza. 2417 14th St., Gulfport; 228-868-9877. Next week, I’ll reveal some of my favorite dishes in central Mississippi before traveling to the state’s northern region. Speaking of traveling north, the 30th anniversary of NYC Restaurant Week is in full swing through Aug. 21 for those enjoy dining out – and who doesn’t in the culinary capital of the world? Meals are offered at the set price of $30, $45 or $60 at 600-plus restaurants. If you’re headed to NYC, take the opportunity to sample 60 cuisines in over 80 neighborhoods in the five boroughs during the special promotion. For detailed information, check out: nycgo.com. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

Mississippi’s foster care agency is failing to prevent abuse and neglect of children in state custody despite its commitments to do so as part of a long-running federal lawsuit. A Mississippi toddler named Olivia Y. weighed only 22 pounds when she entered state custody in 2003. Though she was obviously malnourished, she was not given a medical exam. Over the next three months, she was shuffled across five different foster homes. The lawsuit that bears her name was filed in 2004, when she was 3-and-a-half years old, on behalf of the thousands of children in the state foster care system. The state first agreed to a settlement requiring it to make systemic reforms in 2008, but has never fully complied with the terms of that and later settlement agreements. An independent monitor evaluated the department’s progress toward meeting its commitments in reports released in 2020 and 2021 that were never publicized, which documented about two percent of all children in department custody were subjected to abuse or neglect by their caregivers. The department acknowledged in June 2021 that it was not capable of achieving its targets and instead agreed to a “rebuilding period," and has been working toward reaching a smaller number of less stringent standards in areas such as worker caseloads and child safety by early 2023. The number of children in state custody has fallen 33% since 2017, from 5,872 to 3,888 in June 2022. Among the problems documented in the most recent reports were high rates of abuse and neglect and higher-than-allowable caseloads. In 2019, 87 kids were abused or neglected. In 2020, the figure was 117, nearly six times the agreed-upon rate. The department is supposed to ensure 90% of all caseworkers have a caseload that meets standards allowing them to provide adequate care and oversight. In 2019 and 2020, this figure ranged from 48% to 68%. According to the reports, adoption is the long-term goal for 39% of kids in state custody, and only 22% who left department care in 2020 were adopted. For half of kids in state custody, the long-term goal is reunification with their families. Caseworkers are supposed to meet monthly with the families of kids in that category to discuss progress and the child’s well-being. But the monitors found this happened less than half of the time. Mississippi advocates for children have witnessed other problems with the system beyond those discussed in the reports. Polly Tribble, who leads Disability Rights Mississippi, says foster children with a psychiatric diagnosis of some kind often languish in an inpatient residential facility long past when they should be released. Joy Hogge, executive director of Families as Allies, says one of the biggest problems facing the foster care system in Mississippi is a deeply ingrained sense that people who lose custody of their kids don’t really deserve to be parents. “There’s a lot of prejudice against the families, and assumptions made about them,” she notes. "It’s important to support children in seeing their families and siblings, and in helping biological families get what they need. There’s a philosophy that these are bad parents, we need to take these children from them." But there is good news. The reports document the department’s progress in several areas: The department licensed 357 new non-relative foster homes in 2020, exceeding the target of 351. The department ran a system of post-adoption services statewide, providing adoptive families access to counseling, mental health treatment and crisis intervention, peer support and respite services. At least 95% of children in custody were placed in the least restrictive setting (i.e., the one most similar to a family environment) that met their needs. The department’s caseworkers met educational qualifications and received adequate training. EDITOR'S NOTE: Excerpted from a Mississippi Today report.