Employees of Merit Health hospitals are now eligible for new and enhanced benefits designed as pathways to help them eliminate existing student debt faster, pursue additional professional education, and advance their careers. The goal in offering Merit Health Pathways benefits is to support and retain employees and attract a strong workforce, especially frontline nurses, technicians, therapists and other clinicians and caregivers, along with support personnel. Benefits include a new student loan repayment program that enables employees with outstanding student debt to consolidate their loans, reduce interest rates, and benefit from employer sponsored payments. For most clinical employees, Merit Health will directly pay a portion of loan premiums as long as the employee remains current with payments, offsetting student loan balances up to $20,000 per employee. A new employee reimbursement program has been established for licensure or certification renewals required for all job classifications and can be used for any license or certification testing or renewal not already offered for free by the hospital. In addition, a long-standing tuition reimbursement program that provides employees up to $5,000 in tax-free reimbursement annually is being expanded and can now be used for continuing education related to any role within the hospital. Previously, employees could only use the tuition reimbursement program toward studies in their current field of work. “We appreciate our employees in all they do and want to support them,” says Mandy Dean Blackwell, a Human Resources executive for Merit Health. “Through these benefits, we hope Merit Health Pathways will ease the burden of student debt and allow employees to focus on achieving their goals and career success. These benefits also appeal to new healthcare talent.” To learn more about career opportunities, visit MyMeritHealth.com.

While visiting for a few days on a beautiful farm in the mountains recently, we always went walking every day. Those eight hundred acres were covered in large trees, meadows, and had a briskly rolling gorgeous little creek within a ten-minute stroll of the farmhouse. The family had carefully cleared roads and paths among all the trees, bushes and flowers that grew everywhere on their land. So, as long as we stayed on one of those paths or roads, and kept our eyes peeled for a stray bear or panther, we were good. We were free to wander anywhere and everywhere, and that’s exactly what we did. But I mentioned there were wild flowers everywhere? Among the different varieties was a deep dark purple bloom the farmer called wild violet, and it quickly became one of our favorites. So much so, that Renie asked the farmer if she could uproot a few to transplant into her garden at our house. He readily agreed, so the last day there we ventured off the beaten path to dig up a few clumps. Upon arriving home, after wandering among that tall grass and trees to dig up those flowers, we found that an extremely unwanted guest had hitched a ride to our house. Yep, Terry the Tiny Tick had evidently decided he would become a guest of Andy’s. Just think about it from Terry’s viewpoint. A man’s thigh would give him an endless supply of blood to feast upon and make a nice warm home. All it had to do to become a permanent guest in Andy’s body was to hide itself from being detected. So it had quickly burrowed its body so deeply it was barely discernable. So deep Renie wouldn’t even attempt to remove it. Andy met some nice people at the local Emergency Care that day. Ticks really do have a lot in common with something else that hides deep. Those beautiful trees and bushes that we loved and admired among all that grass hid an enemy. And Andy walked out into that tick-infested meadow, not even giving a millisecond of thought to what was most probably lying in wait for him. That enemy moved silently, quickly and subtly into Andy’s life, and if left there would likely have become a big problem. Sound familiar? It will. The only safe place for a disease-carrying tick is wherever ticks go when they have been removed and squashed to death. And the same goes for that unwanted guest called sin that you unwittingly pick up and host in your mind and body while it burrows deeper and deeper into your daily life. Dangerous stuff that can only get worse. Oh yeah, I know, “It’s just a small innocent little habit, or lie, or bad behavior. No one is truly affected by it, in fact in many cases, nobody but me even knows about it. So how can it become such a big deal?” Tell that to Terry.

Parents of area students are encouraged to take advantage of a free two-week science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) camp being offered this summer. The camp will be held July 18-29 at the Mississippi E-Center on Raymond Road in Jackson. It will start at 9 a.m. and end at 1 p.m., and lunch is provided. Grade levels first through twelfth are eligible. Transportation to and from camp is not provided. Space is limited, and enrollment in the camp will be on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information or to register, parents should email their name, their child’s name, a contact phone number and the name of the school the child attends to PreferredChoice44@yahoo.com.

By Kara Kimbrough Headed south for a long Memorial Day weekend at the beach? Take the Hattiesburg exit and drop in the bustling city of Hattiesburg to stretch your legs, enjoy a delicious meal and take incredible selfies in a wonderland of beautiful roses. Slightly twisting Shakespeare’s words, a rose by any other name, or color, would look and smell as sweet on the scenic campus at The University of Southern Mississippi. Right now, the university’s All-American Rose Garden, located at the front entrance of the campus on Hardy Street, is at its peak. Over 800 rose bushes in vivid colors of red, pink, coral and other vivid hues are causing motorists to slow down and view as much of the stunning beauty as possible. The rose garden attracts visitors from around the state and country. Planted in 1973 by the Hattiesburg Area Rose Society and maintained year-round by Southern Miss, the All-American Rose Garden was named an accredited Public Rose Garden by All-American Rose Selections. The semicircular garden consists of 32 separate beds, each containing its own unique hybrid of roses. The renowned garden is visited by photographers, roses aficionados and those simply looking for a picturesque setting for photos. Right now, before summer’s heat descends, is the perfect opportunity to stop, shoot photos and quite literally smell the roses. Southern Miss’ Rose Garden is open to the general public free of charge, seven days a week. Walking around to admire the blooms and shoot photos is perfectly fine. But here’s a friendly reminder: anyone caught cutting a blossom faces a monetary fine. When you’ve had your fill of beauty, venture across the street to a relatively new development, The District at Midtown. It’s a thriving complex filled with restaurants, shops, condominiums and a hotel. Developers were successful at creating an “eat-play-stay” center; a vast improvement from a decades-old men’s dorm and assorted parking lots. One of my favorite restaurants at The District, or anywhere in Hattiesburg, really, is The Midtowner. The brainchild of Hattiesburg restaurateur Robert St. John, the restaurant serves breakfast and lunch in a nostalgic setting. When you enter The Midtowner anchoring the end of the brick center, you quickly realize St. John went “way back in time” to create his newest space. How far back? Picture a "1948's diner.” He wasn’t around in the ‘40’s, but even so, St. John always admired the aesthetics and “visceral connection” of old-school diners. His vision was so strong that tile-layers purposely pulled up small patches of octagonal tile near the doors and booths to resemble a worn floor. Wood paneling from a bygone era lines the cozy booths. Black and white historic photos from 20th century Hattiesburg, Camp Shelby and Southern Miss’ early days line the walls. St. John accomplished his goal of creating a “neighborhood diner,” and once the food arrives, it’s evident his dedication to detail extends to the menu. Spoiler alert: The Midtowner serves some of the best fried chicken and chicken and dumplings I’ve ever tasted. Many line up for lunches, but almost any breakfast dish imaginable is on the menu. Portions are hearty and prices are reasonable, making it the perfect spot for hungry students and coffee clubs. There’s not enough space to list the multitude of breakfast item, but when it comes to the classics, The Midtowner has it covered. French toast, waffles, pancakes, bacon, sausage, ham, grits, biscuits and other classics share space with healthier fare like avocado toast, acai bowls and fruit. The lunch menu is filled with almost every “old school diner” dish you can imagine…and then some. Back to the fried chicken. It’s tender and juicy on the inside, crispy and golden on the outside. Picture your grandmother’s fried chicken or a platter at a church dinner on the grounds and you’ll have a close comparison. Lunch plates include your choice of meat with one, two or three vegetables and four vegetable plate. Meat choices include Mam-Maw St. John’s fried chicken, country-fried steak with brown gravy, Midtowner meatloaf, fried catfish, chopped steak and gravy, fried chicken tenders and chicken and dumplings. Vegetables like skillet corn, fried okra, turnips, butter beans, mashed potatoes and black-eyed peas perfectly with any main dish. A variety of salads is on the menu, along with creative sandwiches like the Hattiesburger and meatloaf sandwich. The Midtowner is located at 3000 Hardy St., Suite 10 in The District in Midtown. Daily hours of operation are 7 a.m. – 2 p.m., seven days a week. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

By Bob Garver It’s the week after a big blockbuster in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” and you know that means: I’m going to review a movie that got absolutely stomped at the box office. There can be respectable runners-up in busy holiday seasons, but very rarely does something worthwhile open right after that first-weekend-in-May extravaganza, especially when the MCU is involved. Make no mistake, Universal sent this movie out to die, its only audience comprised of people who “have” to see a movie every week (people like me, come to think of it). And being sent out to die is exactly the kind of release this movie deserves. The film is based on a Stephen King novel about a girl with telekinetic powers that can cause deadly destruction when emotionally triggered. Not “Carrie,” a different one, though I can’t help but think that giving the main character a name that’s about two letters off isn’t going to make it seem less derivative. 11-year-old Charlie (Ryan Kiera Armstrong) can start fires with her mind whenever she wants, and sometimes when she doesn’t want. It’s basically the opposite problem as the main character from a certain kids’ movie, and yes, I did sarcastically sing “Let It Go” a few times while watching this garbage. The adults in Charlie’s life don’t know what to do with her. Her father Andy (Zac Efron), who himself has some limited powers of mind control, wants her to suppress her power. Her mother Vicky (Sydney Lemmon) wants her to learn to use it responsibly. Shady corporate type Hollister (Gloria Reuben) wants to weaponize her. Dr. Wanless (Kurtwood Smith) wants to kill her because she’s just too dangerous. All things considered, I think I agreed with Wanless the most. Are you happy movie? You convinced me that it’s best if the little girl dies. Hollister sends assassin Rainbird (Michael Greyeyes) to abduct Charlie, with the parents’ lives as a “secondary concern.” Soon Charlie and Andy are on the run, with Andy quickly realizing that suppression isn’t going to be an option anymore. They hitch a ride with reluctant farmer Irv (John Beasley) in a sequence that is supposed to be heartwarming, but really just makes me wonder why Andy used his mind control powers to get Irv to give them a ride instead of getting him to give them his truck. The whole thing ends in a top-secret facility where Charlie gleams completely the wrong lesson from an earlier story from a story Andy told her earlier about taking lives. Among the many, many things wrong with this movie is that the fires Charlie starts just aren’t scary. Explosions are one thing, but fires poofing into existence don’t have the same impact. It’s why I was so disappointed with that 2018 “Halloween” update when Jamie Lee Curtis chose to burn her house down instead of blowing it up. The fires in this movie do leave burns that are grotesque, but the makeup is so unconvincing that I doubt they’ll register as traumatic. It's hard to think of anything positive to say about “Firestarter,” from the acting to the script to the action to the movie’s need to exist. Ooh, I liked the score, with contributions from original “Halloween” director/composer John Carpenter. But this movie is terrible on pretty much every other level. If you really want to see it, it’s playing in theaters and streaming on Peacock. But it certainly isn’t worth your money, and even if you consider streaming “free,” it’s still not worth your time. Grade: D “Firestarter” is rated R for violent content. Its running time is 94 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

Robert J. Barnes, President and CEO, PriorityOne Bank, recently announced that plans have been approved and construction will soon begin on a new PriorityOne Bank branch in Gluckstadt, MS. The new branch, located on Calhoun Parkway, will be a full-service retail banking and lending establishment. The building, featuring a modern farmhouse design style will be approximately 4,100 square feet and feature 3 drive thru lanes, a commercial deposit lane, and an Interactive Teller Machine. Regarding the new branch Barnes stated, " We are very eager to open our doors and begin serving the Gluckstadt community. We look forward to being a good neighbor to all of the businesses and citizens in that area and working to meet all of their financial needs." PriorityOne Bank, based in Magee, Mississippi, currently operates fifteen offices in twelve Mississippi communities: Collins, Seminary, Sumrall, Hattiesburg, Magee, Mendenhall, Richland, Brandon, Ridgeland, Flowood, Pelahatchie, and Morton. The bank has assets of approximately $900 million.

The Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi “Just Have a Ball” program, which is sponsored by Continental Tires, recently gave each third and fourth grade student at Bolton-Edwards Elementary School a ball to take home and enjoy.

Each year on the 4th Sunday in May, a program is held that is called "Fun 'N' the Sun" in Bolton, MS. This year's event will be held on Sunday, May 22, 2022. Different groups are invited to come sing and fellowship together. Some of the groups included in this year's program include the New Gospel Keystones. There are also groups such as Reverend Joe Washington from Flora, MS and the Pure in Heart. There will be many groups from all over the state. Brownsville out of Bolton, MS and Bro. Greg Flowers from Jackson, MS will be performing. There will also be groups from Utica and Sallis. We invite all gospel groups to come out and be a part of this. We also invite politicians and pastors to take part in this program. The program will be held at the Jimmy Lewis Pavilion Park in Bolton. The pavilion is located on Martin L. King Drive near the intersection with Bolton-Raymond Road (across from Town Hall). The gates open at 12:00 PM and the program begins at 2:30 PM. We invite all to come out and be blessed and listen to some great gospel music and enjoy the fellowship. If you have any questions or would like to register to participate, give Albert "Country Boy" Lewis a call at 601-665-2069.

Yep, it’s been a really tough few years for everyone. In just about every possible conceivable way. Financially, physically, and emotionally, and it hasn’t really mattered how old or young you are – life has stunk in a lot of ways. And this horrible onslaught of stress and grief is definitely taking its toll. People are struggling to make sense of their lives and to carry on with some sense of normalcy. All this has had negative consequences for each of us. You may be reacting to all this pain by sinking into depression. While another is living in anger – striking out at anything and everyone in their path. Physical symptoms of stress are running rampant among adults, and each is doing their best to cope with the changes in their lives. With varying degrees of success. Little children have their own particular reactions that they are living. Confusion, anxiety, and fear are pretty common. Some kids have shown definite regression in their progress of learning how to deal confidently with life. Can’t blame ‘em, it’s been really rough on grown-ups – can you imagine trying to adjust to all these problems, as a little child? So, what do we do? How do we begin trying to take back what we’ve lost in our personal life? What can begin to heal us emotionally and even physically from all this stress? The following suggestions written below are certainly not intended as a cure-all – a miracle for our hurting world. But there are a few things that you need when you’re suffering. And remember, if you can benefit from these, so can your friends and family. Some things folks need when they’re hurting: Kind words spoken to them. And sometimes, this is difficult to do when the speaker is also hurting. Tender touch goes a long way. Just a simple pat on the arm or a loving hug can mean so much. Listening to the one in pain talk about their hurt is vital. You don’t have to have the answers – just listen, and let them know you care. Presence of someone who cares. Be there for that person who is sick or stressed – even a phone call showing your concern is so much better for them than enduring their problem all alone. Humor of the right kind, and used at the right time, can help. Just be sensitive to the situation. Only attempt to bring a smile to their face by using humor that is laced with grace and love. Patience with the one who is hurting. Living through a nightmare isn’t easy. Finding their way back from depression or illness is hard work, and takes time. You can encourage them to start on the path upward, but keep in mind – they are not liking where they are. And they’re not there by choice. They would like to get better, but they may be stuck in fear. Just care. For you and each other.

Nurses and respiratory therapists desiring to work for the state’s sole academic medical center and only hospital offering Level I trauma services can take advantage of walk-up interviews Monday, May 16 on the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s Jackson campus. No appointment is necessary for an interview convenient to applicants from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Kathy and Joe Sanderson Tower fronting Woodrow Wilson Avenue. Parking is available in Garage C next door to Sanderson Tower, which houses many services offered by Children’s of Mississippi. Interviews especially target new graduates of nursing schools. Registered nurses may apply for any of the Medical Center’s RN openings. It’s not required, but the process can be expedited by going to umc.edu/careers and filling out an application. UMMC was named “Best Place to Work” by the Jackson Free Press, most recently this year, and in 2021 was named “Best Hospital.” “That’s a testament to the strength of our organizational culture,” said Patrice Donald, UMMC’s registered nurse manager for clinical recruitment and retention. “We hope to be the new employer of choice for those who have a heart for service, and who want to consider a new path or a career in a supportive environment.” UMMC was registered respiratory therapist Jamie Everett’s top choice. “I originally chose to work here because as a mother to two asthmatic children, I wanted to work with children who have respiratory issues,” Everett said. “During my time here, I fell in love with the neonatal intensive care unit because I get to take care of the most critically ill newborns at the state’s only Level IV NICU.” Working at the state’s only children’s hospital was a deal-maker for Sara Hodges, also a registered respiratory therapist. “The opportunity to take part in the healing process of a child is the most rewarding gift,” she said. The interview opportunity is especially timely “in this season of new nurses who are graduating and looking to find just the right place to work,” said Molly Brasfield, UMMC’s chief human resources officer. “We think UMMC is an exceptional place to work. The work we do across all of our mission areas is unparalleled,” she said. “This event is structured to allow for flexibility for anyone to come in and find out what it will look like to become part of the ‘U.’ “ For those first applying online: New nurse graduates can specify they’re interested in adult patient care by searching for code R00019327. For those interested in pediatric nursing positions, search for code R00019328. Respiratory therapists can specify they’re interested in adult patient care by searching for code R00012848. For those interested in pediatric positions, search for code R00012566. Applicants are asked to bring a copy of their resume. A greeter will take them to the interview area. Applicants can bring their parking stubs for validation. For more information, contact UMMC’s Clinical Recruitment office at 601-213-7068. For a complete list of nursing and respiratory therapy job openings, go to umc.edu/careers.

Save the date May 14, 2022…Farm auction, including new building materials (close out) for remodeling etc. see brochure

By Kara Kimbrough After last week’s column about the upcoming start of grilling season, it’s only fitting that I share a few of my favorite burger sauces. Burger purists may recoil in horror when I mention dousing, dipping or sprinkling a grilled burger with anything. Disputing their belief that the flavor of the meat should be allowed to shine, adding a flavorful sauce can and is often needed to enhance what can sometimes be a banal burger experience. I’ve always enjoyed a close relationship with sauces, dips and the like. I love topping burgers, sandwiches and even a few cuts of steak with a tangy sauce like homemade sriracha. It’s made from chili peppers, vinegar, garlic, salt and sugar. Another favorite is Mississippi comeback sauce. Recipes for the ketchup-based sauce abound, depending on the region of the state and many other factors. Just as I prefer my burgers adorned with sauce, I can’t imagine enjoying fries or chips to the fullest without a bowl of my favorite dip nearby. It’s even better when a spread or dip can double as both a topping for a burger (or other type of grilled meat) and dip for chips, crackers or crudites. Side note: many scoff at the idea of making their own ketchup, mayo or barbecue sauce, but trust me when I say the extra effort is worth it. As with any homemade sauce, being able to control the taste and healthiness by using fresh vegetables, tomato sauce, sour cream and spices, to name a few ingredients, more than makes up for the time spent making your own. If you own a food process or blender, most sauces only take a few minutes to whip up. If grilling and blending sounds like too much work, there are several restaurants around the state that serve outstanding burgers with a side of “special sauce.” A few worth checking out include: 1. Zip’s in Magee, a long-time family eatery, is almost as famous for its “Zip Sauce” than for the signature burgers named “best in Mississippi” several times. Make sure to order the battered fries and an extra helping of Zip Sauce for dipping. 2. Tupelo’s Neon Pig serves an amazing lineup of food – check out their eclectic, fun menu to see what I mean – but the burgers and special sauces are hard to beat. Crowd favorites are the Smash burger served with a hearty side of Comeback sauce (named “best burger in America” at one point) and the Belvis with a spin-off name of Tupelo’s most famous son. Topped with bacon pimento cheese, jerky sauce and Creole mustard, it’s a creation of which Elvis would be proud. 3. The Gulf Coast is known for seafood, but that hasn’t stopped Biloxi’s old-school eatery, Burger Burger, from gaining national acclaim. Its namesake burger, the Burger Burger, of course, is juicy and delicious and encased in a crispy po’boy bun. But it’s the restaurant’s top-secret burger sauce on top that steals the show. While you’re in Biloxi, don’t forget to stop by the city’s beautiful welcome center. It’s the white antebellum style building across from the Biloxi Lighthouse. Besides offering above-average rest stop accommodations, the spacious center is filled with multiple rooms filled with artifacts and engaging displays depicting the history and progression of the city. Biloxi’s history dates to 1699, making it one of America’s oldest cities. Here is the recipe for one of my favorite sauces – it’s very similar to the famous sauce served at a national chain known more for its chicken tenders than burgers. However, its deliciousness translates, making it the perfect burger sauce and dip for my favorite chips. Perfect Burger Sauce and Chip ‘n Dip 1 cup real mayonnaise 4-5 tablespoons ketchup (add to taste) 5-6 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon hot sauce (substitute vinegar if you don’t like the heat) 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon ground black pepper Pinch of celery salt Blend all ingredients in a food processor or blender. Cover and chill overnight or at least six hours before serving. Recipe doubles easily. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com. Kara Kimbrough