The Mississippi Senate today approved a new legislative redistricting map which secures 36 strong Republican seats moving into the 2023 election cycle. Four of the Senate’s 52 seats which elected Democrats in the past 10 years now solidly favor conservatives. Redistricting is required by law every 10 years after U.S. Census numbers are released. The Mississippi Senate’s map was last redrawn in 2012. “We are grateful for the leadership of Senator Dean Kirby and members of the committee in the redistricting process on the Senate side. The outcome of his hard work is a fair Senate map providing a conservative majority reflective of the Mississippi citizenry,” Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann said. The Senate side of the Joint Committee on Legislative Reapportionment includes 10 members, seven of which are Republicans. This is the same political make-up in the Senate as the 2012 committee appointed by the previous Lieutenant Governor. In August, the committee held nine public hearings all over the state. Senator Kirby coordinated the process of drawing the new Senate map over the next several months. The proposed Senate map can be viewed here. For more information on Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann, visit www.ltgovhosemann.ms.gov.

By Kara Kimbrough Spring, wonderful spring...the official start of vacation season. Before you pack the car or book a flight, consider an alternate plan. Don't wreck the budget with a long sojourn to an expensive out-of-state resort area filled with pricey restaurants. Instead, look no further than our own Gulf Coast. Besides festivals held almost every weekend, beach walking, shopping, casino hopping, sightseeing and shopping – another great reason to head south is the plethora of authentic Coast restaurants. I regularly receive emails from readers asking for restaurant recommendations and favorite things to do while visiting our state’s crown jewel. Always on the list are the Mississippi Aquarium, riverboat and schooner cruises and walking over the Biloxi Bay and Bay St. Louis bridges. Food picks range from elaborate fine-dining establishments to local family-owned restaurants. Note: many restaurants are closed early in the week, so check websites or call for hours of operation before heading south. First things first, though: The Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau website contains a wealth of information on lodging, RV parks and campgrounds. Also included is a list of things to do, including attending weekly festivals, many centered around local cuisine. Find out more at www.gulfcoast.org. Here's a small sample of some of my favorite restaurants (email me if you'd like more choices): 1. Once you arrive at the beach, choose from among several above-average restaurants on or near the beach. One of my favorites is Shaggy’s in Biloxi. Don't let the brightly-covered exterior fool you. Shaggy's serves surprisingly good seafood, sandwiches, burgers and pasta dishes. An outdoor patio overlooking the beach is a bonus. 2. No trip to the Coast is complete without a stop at the Beau Rivage. Even if you’re not an overnight guest, walking through the Beau is a treat - and it's free. Filled with thousands of flowers, shopping opportunities and a range of dining spots, the Beau is always on my itinerary. If you’re hungry, the daily buffet, Terrace Café and Roasted Bean for coffee and a snack won’t disappoint. However, if your budget allows (check the menu before you book), schedule a special dinner at BR Prime. The well-appointed restaurant's outstanding steaks, seafood and ambiance are worth every penny. 3. Many tourists and residents head over the bridge to Ocean Springs and drop into The Shed Barbecue & Blues Joint for barbecue. It’s a loud, rustic place; in short, probably not the best choice for those seeking a quiet, refined dining experience. However, The Shed’s smoked ribs and brisket more than compensate for the noise level. 4. My favorite ‘que restaurant (and in my Top 5 of all Coast restaurants in general) is Murky Waters BBQ in downtown Gulfport. The casual dining restaurant’s smoky ribs, wings and burnt ends are among the best I’ve ever tasted. Even the sides are delicious, a rarity in an eatery where meat is the star. There are newer locations in Ocean Springs, Bay St. Louis and Hattiesburg, but the original remains my favorite. 5. Last, if you haven’t visited Mary Mahoney’s, it’s an oversight that needs correcting. The classic Biloxi restaurant has weathered three hurricanes and is still serving its famous gumbo, bread pudding and a multitude of seafood dishes. It’s a little pricey (lunch is less expensive) but the food is always consistent. If you’re a history buff, you’ll enjoy exploring the building lined with photos of famous diners, including a U.S. President or two. The structure dates to the 1700’s when the Coast was discovered. The oak tree in the courtyard is supposedly even older, originating, some say, thousands of years ago. In next week’s column, I’ll take you over the bridge to explore the many dining options and attractions in Bay St. Louis. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

The Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum is hosting two day camps this summer for students around the state. Any child entering first through the sixth grade is eligible to register. “I’m excited to announce the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum is hosting summer camps this June and July for our younger students,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson. “I encourage parents to take advantage of this opportunity to allow their children to learn the importance of agriculture and farmstead living in a fun and stimulating environment.” The ‘Grow a Farm’ camp is for students entering first through third grade and will be held on Monday, June 27, through Thursday, June 30, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day. Over these four days, campers will learn about the various aspects of designing and managing farmland, such as the importance of water quality, soil stability and both crop and livestock management. The registration fee is $125 per student. The ‘Field to Market’ camp is for students entering fourth through the sixth grade and will be held on Monday, July 18, through Thursday, July 21, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day. Over these four days, campers will discover creative ways to run a successful farm, including how to sell products at a farmers market. The registration fee is $125 per student. Breakfast and lunch will not be included; students are encouraged to bring a lunch. Availability is limited, so contact the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum to secure your child’s entry as soon as possible. For more information about the summer day camps, contact Rachel Bone at rachel@mdac.ms.gov or 601-432-4500. The Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum, located at 1150 Lakeland Drive in Jackson, is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information about the Museum, call 601-432-4500 or 1-800-844-8687, visit www.msagmuseum.org or visit the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum on Facebook. The Ag Museum is a division of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce.

By Bob Garver “The Lost City” is the kind of movie that looks like it was a lot more fun for the actors to film than it is for the audience to watch. Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum got to spend time in each other’s company, goofing around in a comedy in the jungle that was probably closer to a nice beach than the movie makes it seem. That fun should have translated to me enjoying the actors’ company right along with them, but it’s more like being subjected to lengthy footage of a friend’s vacation rather than the immersive experience that this movie wanted to be. Recently-widowed romance novelist Loretta Sage (Bullock) goes on a book tour to promote her latest novel, a lazily-assembled tome that combines her barely-addressed expertise in ancient history with the kind of trashy romance that sells paperbacks. She’s forced to share the stage with Alan Caprison (Tatum), her cover model and public face of protagonist Dash McMahon, brought in to play to audiences that don’t share Loretta’s passion for dead languages. The two don’t like each other, with her thinking he’s nothing more than a handsome face and him thinking she needs to lighten up. But wait, there is one person that shares Loretta’s interest in the historical aspects of her novel. Unfortunately, it’s someone worse than all the airheaded Dash fans combined. Eccentric billionaire Abigail Fairfax (Daniel Radcliffe) notices that the book contains allusions to an actual dead language, one that could lead him to a legitimate lost city full of treasure. He abducts Loretta and flies her to his private island, where he’s confident the city is hidden, to do more translations. Alan witnesses the abduction and decides to rescue Loretta himself to prove that he’s not brainless. He enlists adventurous friend Jack Trainer (Brad Pitt) and the two go to the island. Trainer easily rescues Loretta from Fairfax’s clutches, but the getaway… doesn’t go so well. By which I mean that we are subjected to one of the most gruesome scenes of violence I’ve ever seen in a PG-13 movie. Even most R-rated action movies have nothing on what we get here. All the relative innocuousness of the movie is gone in a flash for a scene that nobody is going to remember fondly. Loretta and Alan spend the rest of the movie trying to get off the island and evade Fairfax, with a possibility that they could find the lost city for themselves. Along the way they squabble and bond and take turns saving each other. It’s not hard to draw the conclusion that they’ll wind up together in the end. There’s also a subplot about Loretta’s publisher Beth (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) launching a simultaneous rescue effort, but it could have been cut entirely (my vote says in favor of more of Radcliffe as the scene-stealing villain) and it would barely affect the rest of the movie. For an adventure-comedy, “The Lost City” only works in its dramatic scenes. Loretta’s grieving, Alan’s empathy for Dash fans, and Beth’s desperation are the best things about this movie. It certainly doesn’t work on the level of adventure (Loretta is stuck wearing a sequined jumpsuit so the movie can insert an obvious stunt double, and the less said about a leech attack the better) or comedy (once again, I get the impression that the directors were too afraid to tell the big-name actors that their improvised dialogue wasn’t funny). I was all ready to embrace this movie because theaters haven’t had a potential blockbuster since “The Batman” three weeks ago, but this is not a blockbuster of an effort. Grade: C- “The Lost City” is rated PG-13 for violence and some bloody images, suggestive material, partial nudity and language. Its running time is 112 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

A group of former Jackson Mets players and staff will be holding a reunion in Jackson on April 1st and 2nd. The late Bill Hetrick along with Kerry Kendall-Hrabstock planned the event for 2020 but had to postpone due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Many of the former players have also been involved in the planning. Some of the former players that are tentatively planning to attend include Barry Lyons, Calvin Schiraldi, Billy Beane, Darryl Strawberry, Randy Myers, DeWayne Vaughn and two-time Texas League manager of the year, Sam Perlozzo. Over 40 players and staff will be attending. Friday, April 1st players will participate in a golf outing and that evening there will be a dinner held at the Jackson Hilton. Saturday morning the group will gather at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum to greet fans and friends from the time they spent with the Double A team of the New York Mets. Doors will open at 10am and the meet and greet will go until noon. Regular museum admission will be charged. The Public is invited to attend the Saturday morning gathering. There will be players from the Mets tenure in Jackson which ran from 1975 through 1990. During that time the Mets were one of the top producers of talent in the Minor Leagues. Over 100 players during that time played in the major leagues.

After securing unanimous support in the Mississippi House and Senate, Gov. Tate Reeves signed House Bill 1486, Tuesday, March 22. The bill revises Mississippi’s commercial driver’s license qualification standards requiring the Commission of Public Safety to implement test waivers for currently serving military members and military veterans who have established training and experience operating heavy military vehicles. “This legislation offers streamlined job opportunities to our Soldiers and Airmen serving in the Mississippi National Guard. It allows our service members to use their military training and experience to advance their civilian career. This is a great news story for our service members and our military families,” said Maj. Gen. Janson D. Boyles, the adjutant general of Mississippi. Lt. Col. Lawrence Austin, director of operations at Camp McCain Training Center in Grenada, was initially contacted by Will White, MS Freight Company in Grenada, seeking to employ up to 20 new employees to his company. He knew the trained professionals of the Mississippi National Guard would be the perfect fit to enhance his team of drivers and mechanics. After the job announcement closed, Lt. Col. Austin found that no Soldiers applied because they did not have the required CDL, even though they were qualified military transportation specialists. Lt. Col. Austin researched the requirements to obtain a CDL in Mississippi, reaching out to Rep. Karl Oliver, who serves on the Mississippi Committee of Military Affairs, and Col. Allen McDaniel, executive director of the National Guard Association of Mississippi, for assistance. Together they drafted a proposal that ultimately became House Bill 1486. Mississippi’s Commercial Driver’s license, or CDL, qualification standards are found in Miss. Code §63-1-208. Those standards include certain testing requirements. House Bill 1486 amends those standards adding waivers to some of its testing. These waivers are limited in application to service members and veterans who received training during their military career, reducing the time and cost of obtaining the license, and serve as an incentive to service members stationed in Mississippi to continue their military service and become a part of Mississippi’s transportation industry. “This is a great day for Mississippi veterans and our brave men and women serving in the military. Our nation needs approximately 80,000 truck drivers just to keep up with current transportation needs,” said Gov. Reeves. “This bill offers more job opportunities for military service members, provides a resolution for our transportation demands, and strengthens our supply chain.” The guidance for establishing the qualification standards for a CDL is found in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) regulations. States are required to follow these regulations when enacting their qualification standards for issuance of CDLs. Within these regulations, the FMCSA established certain waivers which recognize the value of the training received by military members serving in certain military occupational specialties. Several organizations have worked diligently to research and draft this bill for consideration – including the Department of Public Safety, Mississippi National Guard, the National Guard Association of Mississippi, the Mississippi Trucking Association, and Mississippi Veterans Affairs. Their accomplishments were made possible through the support of our legislative officials and the direct involvement and support of Gov. Reeves. “We applaud our Mississippi Legislature and Gov. Reeves on their constant support of our Mississippi National Guard,” said retired Col. Bill Murphy, current president of the National Guard Association of Mississippi. The Mississippi National Guard engaged several platforms to inform and educate trained service members on the new opportunities the legislation offers. This united effort will harness the value of military training and translate military expertise to careers in the civilian workforce. Programs such as the Mississippi National Guard Outreach Services, Employment Outreach, Work for Warriors Program, and Education Office have already begun the process of assisting our military service members to connect them with industry partners in their local areas for civilian job opportunities. “Programs like this are made possible by our communities recognizing the training and skills that our service members bring to the workforce,” said Sarah Frey, director of the Work for Warriors Program, Mississippi National Guard. “We hope to be a conduit for our industry and community partners for resources and military engagement in order to better identify, understand, and utilize the military talent across the state.” According to the Mississippi National Guard Education Officer, Maj. Heath Morgigno, approximately 450 Mississippi National Guard Soldiers and Airmen have completed the required transportation training and are serving in military transportation jobs that would make them eligible to obtain a Mississippi CDL under House Bill 1486. For the driving skills test waiver, a service member must be or must have been assigned a position that requires them to operate heavy military vehicles. This waiver will be available to members with at least 2 years of safe vehicle operation. The knowledge test waiver will be available to those service members with one these specialties: Army – Motor Transport Operator (88M), Patriot Launching Station Operator (14T), Petroleum Supply Specialist (92F) Air Force – Ground Transportation Specialist (2T1), Fuels Specialist (2F0), Pavement and Construction Equipment Operator (3E2) Marine Corps – Motor Vehicle Operator (3531) Navy – Equipment Operator (EO) Service members will need to provide official documentation of their military-skills specialty designation to qualify for the waiver. In addition to the driving skills and knowledge tests, the bill directs the Commission to provide waivers for certain endorsement tests. By providing appropriate documentation, service members will be able to take advantage of test waivers for the hazardous materials, tanker vehicle, and passenger vehicle endorsements. Military service members obtaining their CDL through these waivers will not be required to obtain a commercial driver learner’s permit. In addition, service members will not be required to meet the requirements of the FMCSA’s Entry Level Drivers Training (ELDT) regulations. The Administration will determine the military training, testing, and procedures meet or exceed the requirements of the ELDT rule. Members of the Mississippi National Guard, Reserve, and Active-Duty branches of service will be included in the military service members who qualify for the waivers. The waivers will also be available to separated service members for up to one year following their departure from service. The Department of Public Safety will be adopting rules and regulations necessary to implement these test waivers as soon as practical after July 1, 2022, but no later than July 1, 2023. More updates will be provided as the rules and regulations are implemented. The Mississippi National Guard Soldiers and Airmen continue to serve with honor and integrity in diverse missions throughout our state and nation. We are Always Ready and Always There. * A special thanks to Lt. Col. Lawrence Austin for providing the above cited information on the details of the new law. Photographed Left to Right: Representative Bill Pigott, Committee on Appropriations; Representative Lester “Bubba” Carpenter, Chairman of House Military Affairs; Lt. Col. Stacey Pickering, Executive Director of Mississippi Veterans Affairs; Hal Miller, Executive Director of Mississippi Trucking Association; Lt. Col. Lawrence Austin, Director of Operations, Camp McCain Training Center, MSNG; Representative Karl Oliver, Committee on Military Affairs; Senator Joseph “Mike” Seymour, Chairman of the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs, and Maj. Gen. Janson D. Boyles, the Adjutant General of Mississippi. Seated: Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is working with multiple counties to assess damage after severe weather, tornadoes, hail, damaging winds, and flash flooding impacted the state on March 22, 2022. Currently, two injuries (Holmes, Copiah) have been reported due to yesterday’s storms. Multiple fallen trees/limbs were reported across the state, impacting roads and creating power outages. For a look at current outages, click here. As assessments continue today, 12 counties are reporting damage to homes. We anticipate that number to change through the damage assessment process. Those counties are: Adams Attala Clay Copiah Hinds Holmes Jefferson Kemper Madison Smith Warren Yazoo We encourage residents that sustained damage to their homes to report it to their counties using MEMA’s self-report tool. As a reminder, this is not an application for financial assistance but information-gathering purposes. MEMA is providing tarps and UAS (drone) assistance to requesting counties. For residents who are currently without power, remember: Keep freezers and refrigerators closed Only use generators outdoors and away from windows Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges Have alternate plans to refrigerate medicines or use power-dependent medical devices To see storm damage in Edwards: https://youtu.be/kU5qU3mxoms

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency will open a Call Center for those citizens needing assistance following the severe weather on March 22. The Call Center will be open for business starting today March 23, 2022 at 1:00 PM. If assistance is needed call 1-888-445-6362 Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Sundays Closed

The Bolton-Edwards School Family would like to join us in celebrating Dr. Patsy Nash! In May of 2020, Dr. Nash completed all requirements for Ed.D (Doctorate in Education) with an emphasis in Reading & Literacy from Capella University. Due to Covid-19 Pandemic, the graduation ceremony was delayed until recently but held over spring break. CONGRATULATIONS DR. NASH!

The Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit National Tour Will Make a Stop in Jackson and Madison. This unique museum on wheels is free to the community and helps honor local veterans. Wreaths Across America (WAA) and Jackson Regents Council Chapters of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) as Hosts, are proud to announce a local stop for the WAA Mobile Education Exhibit (MEE) nationwide tour. The MEE started its tour at the WAA Headquarters in Maine and will be in Jackson on Friday, March 25, 2022, for a scheduled private event at Jackson Academy, 4908 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, Mississippi beginning with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 8:15 a.m. to include recognition of our Vietnam Veterans. The WAA/MEE will make another local stop on Saturday, March 26, 2022, for a scheduled event both free and open to the public at Liberty Park, 810 Madison Avenue, Madison, Mississippi. The hours of the event are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and at 1 p.m. recognition of Vietnam Veterans. “The goal of the Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit is to bring community together and teach patriotism while remembering the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes,” said Karen Worcester, executive director, Wreaths Across America. “Over the last two years we feel this exhibit has taken on even more meaning by providing the opportunity for people to safely participate in something that is both educational and inspiring, while supporting and giving back to the communities it visits.” The MEE achieves this goal by bringing the local community, veterans, active-duty military, and their families together through interactive exhibits, short films, and shared stories. The exhibit serves as a mobile museum, educating visitors about the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes as well as to serve as an official ‘welcome home’ station for our nation’s Vietnam Veterans. Learn more Wreaths Across America's Mobile Education Exhibit - YouTube and to donate or to sign up to volunteer, please visit www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org/ Magnolia State/MS0068. All veterans, active-duty military, their families, and the local community members are invited and encouraged to visit, take a tour, and speak with WAA representatives and volunteers. They can also share more about the national nonprofit, and the work its volunteers do to support our heroes and their communities year-round. The public tours for the MEE are free and open to the public with social distancing, sanitation, and safety procedures in place to protect the health of all visitors in accordance with the CDCs recommendation for large gatherings stemming from concerns surrounding the pandemic. Members of the media, dignitaries, veterans, and other interested groups are urged to come, ask questions, share stories and experience this one-of-a-kind exhibit. Wreaths Across America is the non-profit organization best known for placing wreaths on veteran’s headstones at Arlington National Cemetery. However, in 2021, the organization placed more than 2.4 million sponsored veterans’ wreaths at more than 3,100 participating locations nationwide. Throughout the calendar year you can tune in to Wreaths Across America Radio, (http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/radio) 24/7, to learn more about the mission and those who support it across the country, as well as the hundreds of local charitable efforts nationwide that are funded through the Group Sponsorship Program. You can sponsor a veteran’s wreath anytime for $15 at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org. Each sponsorship goes toward a live, balsam wreath that will be placed on the headstone of an American hero as we endeavor to honor all veterans laid to rest at noon on Saturday, December 17, 2022, as part of National Wreaths across America Day. Go to https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/search?searchType=location find a local participating cemetery near you to support go to and type in your town and/or state.

The vote on the conference report for HB 530 was 118 to 4. See the House vote. It now awaits Gov. Reeves' signature, the final step in this historic move to bring Mississippi teacher pay closer to the Southeastern average. The bill provides a $2,000 raise for assistant teachers and higher salaries for certified teachers at all experience levels and classifications, including: Minimum starting pay of $41,500 Average salary increase of $5,140 Annual step increases of $400 (A), $525 (AA), $550 (AAA), $600 (AAAA) Larger step increases at years 5, 10, 15, and 20: $1,200 (A) $1,250 (AA) $1,300 (AAA) $1,350 (AAAA) $2,500 increase at year 25 for all classifications The full pay raise will take effect July 1, 2022. See the new salary schedule.

By Kara Kimbrough Spring is finally here, which means it’s time to get back in touch with Mother Earth. More specifically, I’m referring to the transition from heavy soups and stews to lighter fare like salads. Often mischaracterized as boring “diet food,” salads are one of the healthiest, tastiest and yet most apologized-for meals on the planet. For example, does the phrase, “It’s just a salad…” sound familiar? It’s an often-uttered sentence many give when describing what they consider an uninteresting meal. But it really doesn’t have to be like that, especially when you take things up a notch with homemade dressings and the addition of unusual ingredients with plenty of crunch, color and taste. Full disclosure: I’m not a health nut. My love for pasta and other assorted carbs is well documented but incorporating at least “something green daily” in my diet has become a priority. This occurred after I read an article from a gerontologist listing this simple tip as one of the ways to prevent Alzheimer’s and dementia. Adding a green salad is not that hard to do, especially in the evening when the thought of a heavy meal can be oft putting. And if it will help – even a little – to ward off diseases on the mind – I’m all in. One thing that has made salad-making easier and even more fun is purchasing a new salad spinner. I splurged on a fancier model than the previous one I owned and let me just say, it’s taken salad-making to a new level. Purchased in the kitchen tools aisle at Kroger, the *model I purchased is the epitome of multi-purpose. First, soaking the lettuce and whatever vegetables I plan to add (carrots, celery, peppers, etc.) to remove all traces of dirt and grime is easy courtesy of the extra-large acrylic bowl. Next, the built-in strainer makes it easy to drain everything before spinning to remove excess water. Letting the vegetables chill in the strainer is the last step before creating a large salad. And last, tossing leftover lettuce and vegetables back into the large bowl with a built-in lid ensures that tomorrow’s salad with be crisp and fresh, alleviating the necessity of finding another storage bowl. OK, now that we’ve mastered how to prepare a healthy salad, what’s the best way to dress it up a little? I was shocked to learn my favorite name-brand Italian dressing is packed with sodium, so finding one that offered the same tangy flavor without the additives was imperative. I tweaked a homemade dressing recipe to include more of my favorite ingredients, resulting in a healthier substitute to the name-brand option. If you’d like the recipe, drop me an email and I’ll send it to you. Last, I don’t want to leave the impression that a green salad is the only option in this food category. Spring meals require lighter side dishes as well. Nothing’s better than salads made with pasta, potatoes, chopped vegetables like corn and tomatoes with a light dressing, to name just a few. Here’s a recipe for an old-school New York deli favorite that’s withstood the test of time – specifically, 100 years or more since the family-owned delicatessen opened its doors. It can be prepared with or without meat, but any way you serve it, it'll be the star of your spring table. Delicatessen-Style German Potato Salad ½ cup apple cider vinegar 2 tablespoons sugar ½ tablespoons salt 1 cup water ½ pound meat: corned beef, ham, cooked bacon or salami (or your favorite) Vegetable oil Pepper, to taste 2 tablespoons yellow mustard 1/2 cup chopped pickles (can substitute chopped lettuce or cabbage) 3 pounds cooked red potatoes, peeled and sliced Make a vinegar base by heating the vinegar in a small pan over medium heat with the sugar and salt. When the sugar is dissolved, add the water. Set aside. Put the meat in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade and chop or grind the meat. Transfer the mixture to a 2-quart pan with a little vegetable oil and a pinch or two of black pepper. Add the mustard, chopped pickles and potatoes. Then stir in the vinegar base. Dressing can be doubled or tripled if you prefer a moister salad. Refrigerate before serving. *My favorite salad spinner is a 5-quart OXO Good Grips Acrylic model. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.