By Guest Columnist Bonnie Coblentz Mississippi high school juniors have a summer opportunity to learn about medical and science careers while earning 3 hours of college credit at Mississippi State University.             The Rural Medical and Science Scholars (RMSS), program will be held in Starkville June 8-20 this year. It is designed to introduce academically qualified students to careers in health or science/technology/engineering/math (STEM) fields. Students must apply by April 14.  Only Mississippi residents are eligible.            Jasmine Harris-Speight, RMSS director, said the residential program allows students to take a college-level health science course, tour the University of Mississippi Medical Center and make friends with peers who have similar career interests and goals.           “This unique program is designed to help students explore health-related careers and STEM fields,” Harris-Speight said. “They will hear robust lectures and attend engaging workshops exploring public health and its connection to careers in health or science. “They will have opportunities to network with peers and professionals as part of this experience that prepares them for their future academic and career goals.” Since the RMSS program began in 1998, 515 students have participated in the program and 70% of participants have pursued STEM-related careers. This has helped address Mississippi’s need for more health care providers in rural areas of the state          “Our goal is to give students the tools they need to explore, innovate and make a difference in the world,” Harris-Speight said.            The $2,600 fee for the program includes the $100 application fee. Scholarships up to 100% of the cost are available on an as-needed basis. The cost covers tuition, housing, textbooks, workshop materials and some food during the program.             Find more information and the application form at  http://extension.msstate.edu/content/application-form .            MSU is an equal opportunity institution. For disability accommodation or other information, contact Harris-Speight at 662-325-6640 or  jrh667@msstate.edu .   EDITOR’S NOTE:  Bonnie Coblentz writes for the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

By: Kara Kimbrough One-Pan Jambalaya is filled with meat, seafood, vegetables and rice. It's the perfect hearty winter (and Mardi Gras!) dinner. A sure sign that Mardi Gras season is near are the stacks of packaged King Cakes in supermarkets. Decorated with a thick purple, green and gold sugary icing and filled with fruit or cream fillings, they’re as close as many will come to actually celebrating Mardi Gras. Lucky for me, the highlight last week at an otherwise serious business meeting was a variety of freshly-baked King Cakes delivered from a Biloxi bakery. Filled with strawberry, praline and Bavarian cream fillings and lightly brushed with sugar, they were some of the best King Cakes I’d ever tasted. The only thing missing were my favorite Cajun and Creole dishes. That'll be an easy fix this weekend. But first, a little more about King Cakes and where to find them. No offense to supermarkets, but I can’t in good conscience recommend the boxed versions as the place to sample an “authentic” King Cake. Paul’s Pastry Shop in Picayune is famous for its original fruit and cream cheese fillings added to the thousands of King Cakes sold from the south Mississippi shop and shipped around the world year-round. I can also recommend Le Bakery in Biloxi after sampling their cakes last week. And, there are numerous other bakeries throughout the Gulf Coast area and beyond that serve up innovative (and delicious) versions. King Cakes were brought to New Orleans by French and Spanish settlers when they settled in the area during the 12th century. I enjoy a slice (or two) of a good King Cake, but it’s the main dishes brought by the French, Acadian, Spanish and West African settlers to the region that are at the top of my favorites list. After all, most are composed of some of the best ingredients in the world: fresh seafood, including shrimp prepared at least 100 ways; fresh tomatoes and other vegetables; smoked sausage, roasted chicken and fragrant rice, to name a few. And a side of crusty, garlic and butter-laden French bread is definitely the crowning touch to any meal. A few of my favorite Cajun/Creole (I won’t attempt to describe the differences between the two; it only leads to arguments) dishes are: seafood gumbo, shrimp Creole (and etouffee); jambalaya; fried shrimp po’boy with remoulade sauce; muffaletta; grillades and grits; shrimp remoulade salad; shrimp and corn bisque and as mentioned, New Orleans-style French bread. My list is a small sample of the hundreds, possibly thousands of Cajun/Creole dishes that've withstood the test of time and remain staples on restaurant menus and dinner tables since they entered the U.S. centuries ago. New Orleans and Gulf Coast region cooks then put their own spin on the original recipes, adding American ingredients and cooking methods while maintaining the delicious flavors and ideas brought to America from a number of different countries. Here are two of my favorite Cajun/Creole recipes; email me and I’ll send you a few more you’ll enjoy during Mardi Gras season – and well beyond. Easy Shrimp Etouffee   1 stick butter 1 onion, chopped 3 stalks celery, chopped 1 medium bell pepper, chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and cleaned Salt, pepper and cayenne pepper to taste 1 cup water mixed with 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1 tablespoon tomato paste (for color) Cooked rice Melt butter in large skillet, then add next 4 ingredients until limp. Stir in tomato paste, then shrimp; simmer, stirring for 1-2 minutes. Stir in water/cornstarch mixture; simmer, stirring for 8-10 minutes or until shrimp are pink and mixture is thickened. Season to taste and serve over hot rice. One-Pan Jambalaya 6 slices bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 cup chopped celery 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped 1 onion, chopped ½ pound cubed cooked ham ½ pound cubed cooked chicken ½ pound cubed smoked sausage 2 (14.5 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes, with liquid 2 cups beef broth 2 cups chicken broth 1 teaspoon dried thyme 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning 2 cups uncooked white rice ½ pound small shrimp Shrimp boil or seasoning Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add bacon and cook until crisp. Remove bacon pieces with a slotted spoon, and set aside. Add celery, bell pepper, and onion to the bacon drippings, and cook until tender. Add the ham, chicken and sausage to the pot, and pour in the tomatoes, beef broth and chicken broth. Season with thyme and Cajun seasoning. Bring to a boil, and add the rice. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes, until the rice is tender. While mixture is cooking, boil shrimp separately in water and 1 teaspoon of shrimp boil or Cajun seasoning until shrimp is pink; about 5 minutes. Drain and set aside. Stir in the shrimp and bacon just before serving and heat through. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at  kkprco@yahoo.com .

Special to Wesson News   Kim Whittington (left) and daughter Jessica Breazeale from Wesson inside the state capitol at Jackson advocate for those in the Medicaid coverage gap on Patient Advocacy Day. Nearly 100 cancer patients, survivors and caregivers from across the state traveled to the State Capitol in Jackson last month to tell Mississippi lawmakers to make fighting cancer a priority by expanding Medicaid.   In Mississippi, 18,000 people are expected to be diagnosed with cancer this year, and nearly 8,000 will die from the disease, they explained in linking cancer-fighting steps to Medicaid expansion as a priority.  Their visit was part of the annual American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Cancer Action Day event.   “As a cancer advocate, I let my lawmakers know if we’re going to eliminate cancer as a major health problem in Mississippi, Medicaid expansion must be their priority goal,” said Jessica Breazeale of Wesson. “By making Medicaid expansion a priority, we can ensure ongoing progress in reducing suffering and death from cancer. Our elected leaders must understand they are representatives of each one of the 18,000 people who are estimated to be diagnosed with cancer this year in Mississippi.” The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) advocates for evidence-based public policies to reduce the cancer burden for everyone .  The network engages volunteers across the country to make their voices heard by policymakers at every level of government. ACS CAN believes everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.   Since 2001, as the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care and advanced proven tobacco control measures. Its volunteers work to make cancer a top priority for policymakers in cities, states and the nation’s capital. Join the fight by visiting  www.fightcancer.org .

Mississippi now has a fully handicapped accessible camp facility designed to meet the needs of children and adults with special needs.  Located on 426 acres in Copiah County, this beautiful, multi-million-dollar campground is now welcoming campers to enjoy fishing, boating, basketball, tennis, baseball, and campfires.  Our multi-purpose activity building offers ceramics, woodworking, music, arts and crafts, hands-on kitchen, dance hall, and library.  The sensory room, designed by Beyond Therapy, is a very special part of the building.   Please join us April 4, 2025, 2:00-4:00 for the Grand Opening .  There will be a short video showing our progress since we started building in 2018 and a welcome from our Director Andrew Vincent. You’ll hear brief talks on the importance of Camp Kamassa by Bridgette Iupe the camp director of the RAD (Radically Against Dystrophy) camp, and a parent, JT Cooper whose child Arlie will be a camper.  After the dedication of an American flag donated by Woodman of the World, you’ll be invited to tour the facilities which includes duplex and family cabins, a cafeteria, an infirmary, a chapel, a maintenance barn, a lakeside building, an open-air recreation building, and probably, best of all, a large zero entry swimming pool. We are located at 4002 Sumrall Road, Crystal Springs, MS.  You can call our office at 601-892-1117 for more information.

Special to Wesson News   Mississippi residents are becoming increasingly wary of buying eggs and poultry products since the detection of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the state during December.   The presence of the virus has raised concerns for consumers across the state as more and more cases are reported and egg prices skyrocket.   Is poultry safe to eat?   Yes, poultry and eggs available for retail sale in Mississippi remain safe to consume. The Mississippi Board of Animal Safety assures consumers that eggs and poultry are safe to eat when handled and cooked properly.  Birds are inspected for signs of illness before being processed, and only healthy birds enter the food supply chain.   Consumers should opt for pasteurized dairy products, as pasteurization is proven to kill harmful bacteria and viruses, including highly pathogenic avian influenza. Cook all poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165°F. Why are prices of eggs and chicken going up?   Josh Maples, an agricultural economist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service says “fewer laying hens has led to fewer eggs produced and tighter supplies for egg consumers.” The USDA also reports 94 confirmed cases nationwide in the past month, affecting over 11 million birds. Increased demand, coupled with reduced supply, is putting additional pressure on prices. Some retailers may implement purchase limits on eggs due to shortages. High demand for processed food products also stretched the egg supply.   The Mississippi Board of Animal Health (MBAH) has taken several measures to address the recent outbreak: The affected areas where the disease was detected are quarantined. State officials have depopulated some of the chickens in the affected flock. The Mississippi State Veterinary Research & Diagnostic Laboratory is conducting tests on samples from suspected cases. The state is maintaining an up-to-date website with the latest information on the avian influenza situation in Mississippi.   While the risk to public health is low, it is important for consumers to take precautions: Continue to cook poultry products thoroughly. Stay informed about any food recalls. Be aware that egg prices may fluctuate due to the outbreak. Mississippi’s poultry industry is a cornerstone of the state’s economy, contributing significantly to both local and global markets, so instances of cross-contamination could prove detrimental in many ways.

By: Daniel H. Sparks, MS State Senator, District 5 State Sen. Daniel Sparks speaks in the Chamber at the Mississippi Capitol in Jackson, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) Trying to solve problems is a large part of the job of being the Mississippi Legislature. Sometimes we overthink it and the product we produce isn’t what is needed or at least reasonable people can disagree if the choice is the best path forward. I serve as a public defender in Tishomingo County and witness the absolute devastation the scourge of methamphetamine inflicts on our communities, families, schools and public safety. No one uses methamphetamine socially or occasionally; any belief otherwise is a lie. I have listened to the meth lies from hundreds of clients who are addicted and hopeless, but they will hold on to the lie. The truth is if you use meth, you will eventually lose everything. You will steal from anyone, including your families and friends and you will ultimately ravage your body and brain to the point of death or a zombie like existence. Your life will be lonely and bleak; but lie of meth will still be with you. Arrests for small felony amounts of meth legally require a crime lab report which can take over a year to secure before a presentation to the grand jury for indictment, stretching the limited resources of the law enforcement agency, crime lab and district attorney’s office. While the meth user awaits their day in court, the lie of meth is still with them and they continue to use, steal and live in a manner that no one can envision for themselves. This life most likely includes additional arrests for possession or property crimes as the lie of meth continues its domination of a once reasonable citizen. After witnessing this routine repeat itself for years and following numerous conversations with judges, law enforcement, prosecutors and recovery specialists I dropped a bill in 2020 to try something different. We did not pass the bill that year, but I continued these conversations and this year I dropped SB 2347. This bill was publicly available for many days, assigned to the Judiciary B Committee, taken up for discussion in committee and passed to be considered on the floor. Two weeks later the bill was taken up on the floor and passed with 45 votes. Up to this point, I had not heard a single objection from anyone on the merits of the bill and what we were trying to accomplish. For those who might have actually read the bill they would see it addresses the smallest amount of methamphetamine possession (.1 to 2 grams) a felony that currently carries a maximum three-year sentence. The bill we passed  INCREASED  the felony penalty for possession of over 1 gram to 2 grams to a five-year sentence and  DECREASED  the felony to a misdemeanor for amounts from .1 gram to 1 gram. The purpose of the legislation is to get the meth user and his life of lies in front of a judge  FASTER  than the current two-year pace. Our justice and municipal courts meet at least monthly and do not require an indictment to proceed. A first-time offender is subject to a fine, 30 days in jail and is required to have an assessment to combat the meth use and lies. A second offense within 5 years subjects the offender to no less than 5 days and up to 6 months in jail and requires a minimum of 30 days of treatment. A third offense in 5 years would be a felony and subject to the 5-year maximum sentence. This approach is untested and may not be the best way to proceed, therefore we put a three-year repealer in the bill so the law will go back to what it is today if these changes do not help improve the outcomes. A couple days ago, for the first time, members of the law enforcement community began to comment on the bill and how stupid it is. I’ll take responsibility for the bill and if it is stupid; I own it, not my colleagues. They put faith in me that I am trying to do what is best for the State of Mississippi in this bill. I respect my friends in law enforcement and my voting record reflects my commitment to combating illegal drugs and supporting public safety. Each year I draft and carry bills at the request of law enforcement, including this year’s SB 2314 that removes the intoxicating Hemp products currently available to children directly from our convenience stores shelves. The future of SB 2347 may be one of defeat and if so, that is the will of the legislature and their respective constituency.  The intent of the legislation is faster delivery to the court of a defendant for judgment, assessment, and potential treatment to try and break the cycle of methamphetamine addiction and re-arrest. If there are better ideas, I am willing to listen, bring them forward. Doing nothing is letting the lie of methamphetamine continue to live and that is not an option I am willing to accept. Senator Daniel H. Sparks

By Guest Columnist Dr. Stephanie Duguid The mental health of children and teenagers is at a crossroads in Mississippi, with alarming statistics highlighting the urgency of the situation.   According to the U.S. Surgeon General, the number of adolescents reporting at least one major depressive episode in the past year has increased by nearly 90%. Shockingly, three million young people nationwide have had serious thoughts of suicide, and nearly three-quarters of youth in distress are not receiving the care they need. These numbers are a wake-up call for families, educators, and communities to act.   Canopy Children’s Solutions talked to Mississippi Health Ambassadors Initiative last month about the state’s challenges, which it is stepping up to address.  A nonprofit organization with over 110 years of service, Canopy provides innovative  behavioral health, educational, and family support solutions.   Among Mississippi’s challenges is a severe shortage of school-based mental health professionals. For example, the current ratio of social workers to students in Mississippi is 1:4,956 -- 20 times higher than the recommended 1:250.  Addressing this gap alone would require over $223 million in additional funding for staffing and training.  Canopy programs, however, provide scalable, cost-effective solutions that make a difference right now.    Each year, Canopy reaches nearly 8,000 children and their families across all 82 counties of Mississippi.  Their programs, such as CARES Schools and Behavioral Health Clinics, aim to meet children where they are and provide crucial support.   Canopy Anywhere, a tech-enabled mental health solution, is one of the organization’s standout programs that screens, educates, and engages youth and families based on specific needs, offering a pathway to hope.  Hope, as Canopy emphasizes, is the belief that the future can be better and that individuals have the power to make it so. It has been shown to be a critical factor in academic success, emotional well-being, and recovery from mental illness.   Families can take simple steps to support their children’s mental health:   Open communication is vital -- listen without judgment and encourage children to share their feelings.   Create a structured yet flexible routine to reduce stress.   Familiarize yourself with local resources like Canopy Children’s Solutions, which offer counseling, crisis intervention, and other mental health services.   Together, we can make a brighter future for Mississippi’s youth.   EDITOR'S NOTE:  Dr. Stephanie Duguid is owner of Do Good ProHealth (CPR Classes) and Do Good Leadership (motivational speaking, and leadership and success coaching).  She is also a Mississippi Health Ambassador.

Flu numbers in Mississippi remain high and the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) wants you to know you can get tested and treated at your local County Health Department. Statewide, the latest surveillance numbers show a 7.9% rate of patients presenting at medical facilities with flu-like symptoms. That number is down from 9.1% the week prior. MSDH District III, which covers the Delta region, was the highest at 32.2%. District V, which includes the Jackson Metro, was second highest at 17.1%. Among age groups, the highest reports are in the 5-24 age range. You can see the full weekly respiratory report at Flu Surveillance Reports 2024-2025 - Mississippi State Department of Health. MSDH provides Test and Treat services for the Flu and Covid testing for those 13-years-old and up: You can make an appointment by calling the MSDH scheduling line at (855) 767-0170. Walk-Ins are also welcome. If you test positive for Flu within 48 hours of onset of symptoms, you can receive Tamiflu when clinically eligible. Vaccinations for Flu and COVID are available for ages 6 months to adults. RSV immunizations are available for infants. To find your nearest County Health Department, please visit County Health Departments - Mississippi State Department of Health. You can make an appointment on the new MSDH mobile app. Download it for free in Apple and Android stores under MSDH Healthy App. Stay up to date on news and updates on the MSDH Healthy Mobile App, on our website   www.msdh.ms.gov . , and on social media facebook.com/healthyms , twitter.com/msdh and Instagram.com/healthy.ms

By: Bob Garver Poster Credit IMDB The Marvel Cinematic Universe at large got to take a break in 2024. Sure, “Deadpool & Wolverine” was one of the biggest hits of the year, but that was more about Disney showing off its newly-acquired 20th Century Fox toys than advancing the lore of its bread-and-butter franchise. But “Captain America: Brave New World” brings back the classics, invoking two characters that brought fans into the MCU in the first place: Captain America and The Incredible Hulk. Sure, it’s the Sam “Falcon” Wilson (Anthony Mackie) version of Captain America, and the Hulk connection doesn’t actually involve Bruce Banner, but a good movie can make audiences care about the evolution of these characters even without the more familiar faces. Unfortunately, this particular movie seems to be reminding people less of the glory days of the MCU and more of why it needed to take a break. It has been six years since Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers handed over his shield and moniker to protégé Sam Wilson. Before he was even comfortable calling himself Captain America, Wilson went through an adventure with the Winter Soldier on a Disney+ show I didn’t see, and now he spends his days on government-sanctioned missions with his own protégé, Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez), who seems to have been unofficially promoted to Falcon. The team performs so well in a mission to stop mercenary Sidewinder (Giancarlo Esposito), that they and mentor Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly) earn an invitation to the White House under old Hulk nemesis and newly-elected President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford, taking over the role from the late William Hurt). Ross is so happy with Wilson’s recent work that he offers to let him reform a sanctioned version of The Avengers. But the deal falls through when Bradley inexplicably tries to assassinate Ross, which leads to Bradley imprisoned and Cap wanting answers. Conducting an unauthorized investigation against the orders of Ross and security advisor Ruth Bat-Seraph (Shira Haas), Wilson discovers that Bradley was the victim of mind control. The goal was not to kill Ross, but to kill a peace treaty that he hoped would define his legacy. The next step is to cause a world war to kill the treaty, because the entity pulling the strings on the conspiracy just hates Ross that much. As if the possibility of war weren’t enough, the villain has another trick up their sleeve related to the Ross-turning-into-Red-Hulk imagery that’s been used in all the advertising. The popular complaints about this movie are legitimate. The evil plan at the center of the film is ridiculously complicated and requires multiple exposition dumps, and in addition to the multiple dumps about Ross’s ascension to the Presidency, there’s a whole lot of dumping going on in this movie. New characters like Torres, Bat-Seraph, and even Sidewinder add little to the story, the latter of which is especially disappointing considering how much I’ve liked Esposito in other roles. The villain is pathetic and their motivations are childish, even idiotic. And I’m not sure if this is the fault of Ford or the effects team, but Red Hulk looks silly, not threatening. All of this leads me to not recommend “Captain America: Brave New World.” There are things to like about this movie, namely the performances by Mackie and Ford (when Ross is in human form). Mackie’s passion proves that he is more than capable of carrying a Captain America movie, though hopefully he’ll get to carry better ones in the future. Ford conveys a real anguish with a character whose world is doomed to come crashing down at any moment, he just wants to achieve one goal for good before that moment comes. These two efforts, along with Lumbly as a traumatized veteran forced to live through all-new traumas, come close to saving the movie, they really do. But the MCU is the gold standard for blockbusters, and it needs to put out better complete packages than what we get here. Grade: C “Captain America: Brave New World” is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and some strong language. Its running time is 118 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at  rrg251@nyu.edu .

By Misty Strieff Prine “A river cuts through a rock - not because of its power but its persistence.” – Unknown I've always loved this saying. If you have ever stood on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River in Natchez, you realize the vastness and strength of that body of water. Just picture, for a moment, if there were huge rocks somewhere along the path of that river. Do you think it would stop it or do you think the power behind that river would make a way for that river to push through those rocks in order for it to make it through and go on about its way? Such is life. Life can be going so smooth and then, well, life happens. Troubles come. “Rocks” (as we will refer to them) fall as you may say, and things just happen one after another. It feels as though you just can’t catch a break. Now you can either let those “rocks” stop you from pushing through or you can rely on the true strength you have in you, the power and strength of Almighty God to help you be persistent and push through those rocks so you can keep going and glorify Him THROUGH your trials and come out the other side telling everyone “on down the river of life” how God brought you through it. I told you I like this quote above! It reminds us all that we have to push through the hard times in our lives with the promise of knowing that better days are coming. Perseverance pays off. Giving up doesn't. Giving up is the easy way out. Perseverance is not going to be easy but it's SO worth it in the end because you will have a mighty testimony and God will be glorified. So how do you do it? With the Lord's help and having the willingness to let Him fight your battles for you, you simply just surrender your problems over to Him and stay prayed up and have faith. Prayer is the key! You will soon find that a daily, consistent walk with Him changes everything. Life is too hard to handle on our own my friends. We have someone who wants to fight our battles until they are won. We just have to allow Him to. You see, not everyone can make a river cut through stone and rock...but God can. Guess what? He can and will get you through the difficulties you are facing right now. And when He does, you will look back and see how it was nothing that you did but EVERYTHING that HE did and you need to shout it from the rooftops saying, "Let me tell you what my God has done for me!" There is no situation that is impossible for God. NONE. So, hang in there my friend. God has got your back. He has amazing things in store for you. Just wait and see. **For daily devotionals, you can follow me on Facebook at The Upward Way or on Instagram at the_upward_way.

Special to Wesson News   Matt Riser Co-Lin kicked off the baseball season with a First Pitch Dinner last month (January 28) at the Thames Conference Center.    Players, parents and fans gathered to hear guest speaker Matt Riser, who heads the  University of Memphis baseball program.    Riser explained the recent and upcoming changes to the game as well as the challenges that accompany it. He said his team does not recruit on skill level alone, as most of the athletes they see are on the same "playing field" in terms of talent.    Riser said his staff looks at success on and off the field -- a well-rounded player that does well in class.    In his first season at the helm of the University of Memphis Tigers, Riser was recognized by Baseball America as one the nation's top coaches under the age of 40. He previously coached at Southeastern University at 29 years old – one of the youngest Division One baseball coaches in history.    "The most important principle I live by is my faith,” he said.  “My family has been so supportive, but there's no way I could get anywhere without my faith," said Riser.   Riser received his degree in biomedical engineering from Tulane University in 2007. He and his wife Jeanette are the parents of three sons, Xander, Jace and Jameson.    The Co-Lin Baseball Team is led again this year by returning coach Adam Chamblee of Winona. This marks his third year coaching the Wolfpack for Chamblee. He previously coached at Nicholls State University, Meridian Community College and East Central.

By Guest Cooking Columnist Charles Fortson, Jr. Shrimp season is almost here, and time to think about how to use these creature of the sea to turn almost anything you cook into a meal worthy of a culinary award..    Pasta and shrimp with creamy sauce prepared like you would make Southern gravy is favorite of mine.   Ingredients: 1 lb. of thin spaghetti (or rice if your prefer) 1 large onion (chopped) 1 green onion bunch (chopped) 2 tablespoons of minced garlic 2 tablespoons of parsley 2 pounds of small shrimp or crawfish 3 caps of crab oil 1 can Rotel tomatoes & pepper (drained) 1 quart Half & Half whipping cream White flour Salt and pepper Butter Olive oil Velveeta Cheese Shredded mild cheddar cheese   Directions:   1.       Pre-cook onions and garlic until tender in mix of one tablespoon of butter and one tablespoon of olive oil heated on medium to low fire. 2.       Pre-boil shrimp or crawfish to flavor it.  Boil one quart of water and three caps of crab oil with one tablespoon of butter and one tablespoon of salt in a two-quart sauce pan.  Add the shrimp or crawfish and bring to a boil again.  Drain and cool. 3.       Prepare spaghetti or your favorite pasta.  Boil two quarts of water with one tablespoon of butter and one tablespoon of salt in a large pot.  Add broken spaghetti, bring to a second boil, reduce heat and cook for 20 minutes or until tender.  Drain water and add Rotel tomatoes and pepper, pre-cooked onions and garlic, and parsley. 4.       Prepare creamy sauce.  Stir white flour into the whipping cream over low heat to make a thick gravy.  Add Velvetta Cheese and the shredded cheddar cheese until the gravy has the thickness your desire. 5.       Combine the prepared spaghetti, creamy sauce and shrimp or crawfish.  Keep warm and serve with garlic bread.  Serves eight.   EDITOR’S NOTE:  Charles Fortson, Jr., is proprietor-chef at Uncle Ray’s across from Lake Lincoln State Park.  He makes lunches and dinners to take out or for table service, while also operating a convenience store and bait shop at his Sunset Road location.  Follow his cooking tips on Uncle Ray’s Facebook page or call 601-643-0174 to check on his daily specials.