Search Results

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com If I was still a teen in high school, I would love AI. I could have my writing assignments for English done in a flash and be out the door. And have a lot better grades to show my parents than I did years ago. And later on, with those gnarly issues at work when I became an adult? “No problem, boss. I’ll just let my trusty friend who lives somewhere out there in NeverNeverLand figure it all out for me. I’ll get back to you on that in a little while.” But for the professional writer to use AI? Mostly, no way. For research? Great. Technique? Oh sure, there’d be great technique , “Hey Gemini, I need this column on ‘KIDS HAVING CELLPHONES’ written from a sarcastic humorous viewpoint. And, oh yeah, it needs to be no longer than five hundred and twenty words, please.” And presto, print it out and I would have a masterpiece worthy of my own puny plastic Pulitzer. But for creativity? There’s the real issue. There is no way you could really know how I feel about that subject. The real ME would be absent from that column on kids and cellphones. It’s not going to reflect the individual spark within that causes me to have my own feelings and thoughts. And after a few months of that kind of writing, the real me would be dealing with guilt, resentment, and very likely a stomach that keeps asking for more Pepto Bismol. Why guilt? Simply put, because I think it’s cheating to claim something as your own, when it’s not. Why resentment? There would be no outlet for the God-gifted creativeness that lies within. No doubt it would be great stuff, but just not my stuff. And great stuff is a poor substitution for personal satisfaction. Just like in any other field.  The carpenter who loves the feel of wood in his hands and takes great pride in his final product knows the satisfaction of creativity. A person born with a love of music and has a beautiful God-given voice would shrivel up inside if denied the satisfaction of singing. The naturally-gifted athlete feels compelled to move, and God help the people around him if he doesn’t get to use that gift. People denied the opportunity to use their natural gifts can get a mite testy. Now, if you’re a meteorologist with the safety of thousands at stake? By all means, use AI to your heart’s content. A construction engineer working on building plans for skyscrapers that will house thousands? The banker dealing daily with millions of dollars? Definitely. You people should use every tool available to you to do those types of jobs that affects the safety and wellbeing of so many. But writers? Unless your book, magazine article or column is vital to the safety of the human race, I believe AI has no business taking your place. Your own thoughts, research, tears of frustration, and hours spent pecking away at your keyboard should be the only contributors to your work.

By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB “Wuthering Heights” is based on a classic novel by Emily Brontë. I’ve never read the novel, which is probably for the best. Reports of the movie differing from the novel are actually quite relieving to me. They’re relieving in the sense that I do not have to lose respect for people who like the novel, which I would do if this movie were any indication of its quality. I’m fine with not judging a book by its movie, especially when the movie is this terrible. Young Catherine Earnshaw (Charlotte Mellington) grows up in the Wuthering Heights estate in 18 th -century England, under the care of her rich, cruel, drunken father (Martin Clunes). Servants include same-aged companion Nelly (Vy Nguyen) and rescued street urchin Heathcliff (Owen Cooper). Cathy initially sees Heathcliff as her “toy,” but eventually comes to see him as a friend. As the two get older and Cathy turns into Margot Robbie and Heathcliff turns into Jacob Elordi, they both begin to think that they might become more than friends. It’s hard for me to buy Robbie, who played Leonardo DiCaprio’s wife in “The Wolf of Wall Street” back in 2013, as someone who is just now going through a sexual awakening, but sure, Cathy and Heathcliff are in love, but neither of them will admit it or make the first move. The problem with such a relationship would be the financial aspect. Cathy’s father has gambled away the family’s fortune, leaving them both “near-poverty,” and Heathcliff, as a servant, has practically nothing. Cathy confides in Nelly (now played by Hong Chau), with Heathcliff overhearing, that she needs to marry someone with money, like wealthy neighbor Edgar (Shazad Latif). She goes on to admit that she’d rather marry the broke Heathcliff, but he misses that part. Heathcliff abandons Wuthering Heights the next day and Cathy goes on to marry Edgar. At first, Cathy loves all the material trappings of her marriage (this portion of the film does some impressive things with the “wealth porn” element, with fine foods and flowers everywhere), but she just can’t bring herself to reciprocate Edgar’s love. A pregnancy makes her feel even more trapped. Soon after, Heathcliff returns, a wealthy man. He and Cathy could be together if it weren’t for that pesky lifetime commitment she made. Their workaround is to have an affair. When Cathy wants to cut things off (due to her pregnancy, not fidelity), Heathcliff gets revenge by marrying Edgar’s naïve ward Isabella (Alison Oliver) and treating her horribly. This is supposed to entice Cathy to come back to him… somehow. Can Cathy and Heathcliff’s game of sexual chess end well for either of them? That’s the question I think we’re supposed to be asking. I was much more concerned about how things would end for well-meaning pawns Edgar and Isabella. Cathy and Heathcliff turn each other into monsters by the end, and not in a tragic, understandable way – more like they’re locked in a contest to see who can be the bigger spoiled brat. Cathy grew up a spoiled brat, but Heathcliff watched her and learned from the best. Speaking of “brat,” I liked the snippets of Charli XCX songs that played throughout the film, usually in scenes of heavy fog that seemed to match the singer’s breathy voice. Maybe she should have played Cathy. “Wuthering Heights” is a movie about two people who deserve each other. At first, this can be said with positive connotations that slowly turn to negative. Because there are so many erotic scenes with the main characters in fancy costumes, this movie is supposedly “romantic.” I’m worried about what young romantics will take away from this movie, considering how many of them came out of last year’s “Nosferatu” with a crush on Count Orlok. I walked away from this film wanting both main characters to fall from a height – Wuthering or otherwise. Grade: C- “Wuthering Heights” is rated R for sexual content, some violent content, and language. Its running time is 136 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at  rrg251@nyu.edu .

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com Old and slow-moving, nevertheless, Grace faithfully carried her blind rider on the snow-covered, lonely, and seemingly endless journey. There was no real visibility, due to the heavy clouds that hid the moon and stars.  But even if the moon had been as bright as the sun during that long night, the old man with his sightless eyes still would not have seen a thing. If left up to him, He could easily have wandered around endlessly, trying  to find the right path to his log cabin. Yet Grace instinctively knew. She had a horse’s unerring sense of direction, and she knew which path would take her rider home. Grace evaded a lot of dead ends that lead nowhere that night. And that horse also sidestepped dangerous holes in the ground that could have easily caused the old man riding on her back to plunge to the ground.  Hazardous ledges and crevices were all cautiously avoided, which undoubtedly made for a much longer and arduous journey, but also saved her rider from possible harm or death. Finally, the scent of the burning logs in the fire place of his old cabin scented the frozen air as horse and rider drew closer to the old homestead. Grace ambled slowly up to the ancient barn, then stopped and nickered  softly. The old man slowly raised his heavy head, and breathed a deep sigh of relief as he sensed that only steps away, his beloved daughter waited patiently just inside the door of his old house. In just a few more  minutes, love, warmth, security, and safety would wrap their arms around his shaking old body. Barely able to move, he stiffly leaned forward over the frost-covered mane of Grace and gratefully patted her neck,  murmuring his thanks and undying love for his faithful old horse. Reminds me of another faithful bearer of an equally blind and helpless rider. Only this faithful companion thru a long, dark and cold journey is not a horse named Grace. It is Grace. And that blind and helpless rider is every man, woman and child who has ever lived on this danger-ridden and evil-minded earth. Because when it comes to finally entering our Home in heaven, without the help of  Grace, it is impossible. The grace of our God is the only way we are able to eventually enter those gates. There are way too many pitfalls, dangerously wrong paths, and pure evil stalking us through our dark nights for  us to ever find our road home…without Grace. Always there for us. Always knowing the right road that we need to take. Always guiding us toward it. Faithful, perfect-sighted, older than time itself… Grace.

Special to The Bolton News Bolton City Hall will open its doors on Saturday, February 21, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for in‑person absentee voting only in the Ward 2 Special Election. This additional voting session provides registered Ward 2 voters the chance to cast their ballots ahead of Election Day without needing to meet specific absentee‑by‑mail requirements. In‑person absentee voting remains a critical option for eligible voters who may be unable to vote at their regular precinct on Election Day. According to Mississippi’s election procedures, eligible voters must meet state criteria to cast an absentee ballot in person; typical qualifying reasons include work obligations, school attendance outside the county, being out of town on Election Day, age‑related limitations, or temporary or permanent disability. It’s essential for voters to confirm their eligibility and bring valid photo identification when they arrive to vote. This Saturday voting session at City Hall is specifically for absentee ballots and not for Election Day precinct voting. Voters who do not vote absentee during this period will still have the opportunity to cast their ballot at their Ward 2 polling location on Election Day itself. For more information about absentee voting rules and eligibility in Mississippi, contacting your local municipal clerk or visiting the Mississippi Secretary of State’s voter resources is recommended.

Special to The Bolton News A special election has been scheduled for Tuesday, February 24, 2026, to fill the vacancy in the Ward 2 Alderman position in Bolton. The seat became vacant on December 25, 2025, following the death of Alderwoman Helen Harris. The election will be held at the Bolton Volunteer Fire Department, located at 117 W. Madison Street, where registered voters of Ward 2 can cast their ballots. Three candidates are seeking to fill the open seat: William Wood, Thomas Warren, and Lendell Mack, Jr. Voters will have the opportunity to select the candidate they believe is best suited to represent their ward and contribute to the governance of the city. This special election is a critical opportunity for residents to have a direct voice in their local government and ensure that Ward 2 continues to have representation on the Bolton Board of Aldermen. Registered voters are encouraged to review candidates’ positions and participate in shaping the future of their community. For more information about polling times, voter eligibility, and absentee voting, residents may contact the Bolton City Hall or visit the Mississippi Secretary of State’s voter resources.

Daphne Marie Watson November 21, 1953 - February 13, 2026 72 years of age Ms. Daphne Marie Watson was born on November 21, 1953, in Bolton, Hinds County, Mississippi, to the late John Wesley “J.W.” Watson, Sr. and the late Lula Mae Howard Watson. She departed this life on Friday, February 13, 2026. Service Details: Viewing: February 20, 2026, 3:00-6:00 PM, Bolton Funeral Home, 205 Bolton Brownsville Road, Bolton Cards may be sent to: Bolton Funeral Home, Attn: Family of Daphne Marie Watson, PO Box 67, Bolton, MS 39041 Funeral Service: February 21, 2026, 11:00 AM, Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, 6449 W. Northside Drive, Bolton Viewing will take place one hour before the start of the funeral service Interment: Hill of Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 1079 Annie Fortner Road, Bolton To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Daphne Marie Watson, please visit our flower store .

Special to The Bolton News The Mississippi Insurance Department (MID) has been made aware of contractors acting as unlicensed public adjusters by filing claims on behalf of insureds. This practice is illegal in the State of Mississippi. Any contractor caught filing claims for insureds without a signed contract and proper licensure as a public adjuster will be referred to the Attorney General and/or Board of Contractors for legal action. If you are aware of illegal activity or need other storm-related assistance, contact the MID Consumer Services Division by phone at 1-800-562-2957 or 601-359-2453.  You can also email  consumer@mid.ms.gov Keep the following tips in mind when hiring contractors: Check if a contractor is licensed with the Mississippi State Board of Contractors,  https://www.msboc.us/   Be cautious of door-to-door or phone solicitations, especially after storms. These contractors often rely on high-pressure sales tactics and unlicensed labor. Never pay in full before work is completed. Don't feel pressured to sign or decide immediately—take time to review all documents. If materials must be purchased upfront, pay the supplier directly. Request at least three references and proof of required licenses, permits, insurance, and bonding.  Record the contractor's license plate and driver's license number. If you were impacted by Winter Storm Fern, file an insurance claim as soon as possible. Your policy may require that you make the notification within a certain time period. Be sure you cooperate fully with the insurance company. Ask what documents, forms, and data you will need to file a claim. Keep a record of all conversations with insurance companies, creditors or relief agencies. Once you begin working with an adjuster, ask them for an itemized explanation of the claim settlement offer. Be patient and assist claims adjusters assigned to your case. Small losses may be settled quickly; extensive claims will take longer. Save all receipts, including those from the temporary repairs covered by your insurance policy.

Special to The Bolton News On Sunday, March 8 at 3:00 p.m., the quiet beauty of St. Mary's Episcopal Church will once again become a place of reflection and music as the congregation hosts its monthly Second Sundays service. Set in the heart of Bolton at 209 East Madison Street, the gathering offers the community an opportunity to pause, pray, and experience a meaningful presentation of The Way of the Cross. This month’s service will be led by lay readers Susan and Richard Price, whose thoughtful narration will guide those in attendance through the solemn and moving journey that recalls the final hours of Christ’s life. Their reading will be accompanied by a carefully chosen selection of hymns and incidental music, creating a reverent atmosphere that invites personal meditation as well as shared worship. Music will play a central role in the afternoon. Pianist Kyle Jones and violinist Leslie Wood will provide a program that complements the readings, blending familiar sacred melodies with expressive instrumental passages. Their performance is designed not as a concert, but as an extension of the service itself, offering moments of stillness and emotional depth between each station. Second Sundays at St. Mary’s has become known for its intimate setting and welcoming spirit. The service draws people from across the Bolton area and beyond, many of whom return month after month for the chance to step away from the pace of daily life and enter a space devoted to quiet reflection. The historic church, with its simple architecture and warm interior, provides an ideal backdrop for an observance centered on contemplation and faith. As the season of Lent begins, The Way of the Cross holds special significance for Christians, marking a time of remembrance, repentance, and renewed focus. The March 8 service offers an opportunity for individuals and families alike to prepare their hearts for Easter through scripture, music, and prayer. The public is invited to attend, and all are welcome to take part in this meaningful afternoon of worship and reflection.

By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB On the weekend of the biggest football game of the year, it was only natural that I saw a movie about basketball. Or rather “Roarball,” as the anthropomorphic animal characters call it – but it’s basketball. When he was just a kid (pun intended), young goat Will (Caleb McLaughlin) went to Roarball games to root for his hometown Vineland Thorns and cheer on his favorite player: panther Jett Fillmore (Gabrielle Union). Will’s mother (Jennifer Hudson) encouraged him to dream big, and he dreamed to be as big a Roarball player as Jett. Ten years later, Will is a struggling delivery boy, his mother has passed, Jett has never won the league’s championship, and the Thorns’ warthog owner (Jenifer Lewis) is too busy with mud baths to make any effort to improve the roster. Will can’t make a career for himself because he’s too obsessed with Roarball. And he can’t get ahead in Roarball because he’s too small. Actually, he’s more of a “medium” in a world that includes rodents and such, but every high-profile player is bigger than him, so he’s considered “small.” He answers an open challenge for a one-on-one game to three points laid out by visiting superstar Mane Attraction (Aaron Pierre), and the horse beats him 3-2, but everyone in Vineland is impressed that he was able to score two points Yes, his star rises because a heavily-memed video of his performance “goes viral.” Against the wishes of Jett, who wants a proper teammate for what will likely be her final season, he’s signed to the Thorns. Teammates on the Thorns include paternal pachyderm Archie (David Harbour), aging giraffe Lenny (Stephen Curry), self-doubting ostrich Olivia (Nicola Coughlin), and out-of-his-mind Komodo Dragon Modo (Nick Kroll), as well as put-upon monkey coach Dennis (Patton Oswalt). It’s not hard to see why the team is in last place, with all the neuroses in play, compounded by Jett’s constant frustration. At this rate the team will be out of contention before Will can even come off the bench. Despite a rocky start, Will soon proves himself useful, able to slip between large, lumbering players and make long-shots from far-off places on the court. Aside from his playing, his optimism is infectious, both with the fans, who drive up ticket sales, and his teammates, who start playing better with his inspiration. Even sour (literal) puss Jett has some of her best days in years around him. Then there’s an ugly chapter where business gets in the way and egos affect morale (every sports movie has one) and the team basically breaks up, but of course everybody rallies and puts in their best efforts for the big final game against Mane Attraction’s team. So the story isn’t going to redefine any (figurative, this time) playbooks. So the humor can be obnoxious at times with all the self-aggrandizing characters. So it’s obvious that the movie was written around the lazy premise of an athlete wanting to be the Greatest Of All Time… and he’s an actual goat. The movie is still a delight at a time when delightful movies are in short supply. Its biggest strength is its rapid-fire gag delivery, even if a joke misses, you can be as sure as there’s at least one played out screaming goat gag in this movie that there’s another one right around the corner. “GOAT” isn’t what I would call a “great” animated offering, but it’s not ba-a-a-a-a-ad. Apologies. Grade: B- “GOAT” is rated PG for some rude humor and brief mild language. Its running time is 100 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu .

By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB Did you know that getting stranded on a deserted island has a way of shaking up social hierarchies? I suppose that was a big part of the plot for recent Best Picture Oscar nominee “Triangle of Sadness.” As well as the literary classic “Lord of the Flies.” And it’s represented on television in everything from “Survivor” to “Lost” to “Gilligan’s Island.” And it was at the center of a play I did in high school called “The Admirable Crichton,” where I played a rich snob who gets taken down several pegs. Director Sam Raimi is hoping you’ve somehow avoided all of these precursors, plus others I’m sure I’m forgetting, because only then can you find originality in “Send Help.” Rachel McAdams stars as Linda Liddle, a doormat of an employee in the strategy and planning department of a financial consulting firm. She does great work, but she doesn’t have the best social skills, and her bro-y male colleagues take her work for granted while overlooking her as a person. This is especially true of her boss Bradley (Dylan O’Brien), who gives a college buddy a promotion over her and is ready to boot her from the office over the smell of her tuna-fish sandwich. But he needs her numbers skills for a conference in Bangkok, so he reluctantly lets her tag along on his private plane. Wouldn’t you know it, the plane goes down and only Linda and an injured Bradley make it to a nearby island. Linda is an adept survivalist, having read many books on the subject. She’s able to build a makeshift shelter, get a fire going, and round up some food and water for the passed-out Bradley, all before he even wakes up. When he does come around, he’s grateful for about ten seconds before chiding Linda for not making more of an effort to get the two of them rescued. She walks off, leaving him to the elements. He soon learns that he can’t survive on his own and has to sheepishly ask her to go back to caring for him. This establishes a pattern that continues for the rest of the movie: he’ll think that the power he wields in the office also applies to the island, and she keeps easily proving him wrong. Eventually she becomes the powerful one, and she insists she’s a better boss than he ever was, but… is she? Or is she destined to become the tyrant that Bradley was on the mainland? Could she even become something worse? It’s hard to imagine Bradley, even at his most piggish, making some of the decisions Linda makes. Speaking of piggishness, Raimi hopes that audiences are too distracted by select scenes of visual spectacle to notice that there’s nothing original about the story. One is a battle between Linda and a supposedly-scary CGI boar. Others include the plane crash, a dream sequence, a physical altercation, and a high-tension confrontation involving a poisonous octopus and a dead rat. I’d chide Raimi for relying too much on his old crutches of extreme violence and body horror, but it’s not like he was doing better with the non-gruesome elements of the movie. Basically, I spent the entirety of “Send Help” doing that “move it along” gesture with my hand because the story was so routine. Bradley was never going to learn his lesson, Linda was only going to get worse, and rescue wouldn’t come until much more blood (and possibly other innards) had been spilled. The film isn’t devoid of properly-built suspense, but it’s nothing that hasn’t been seen in other, better cat-and-mouse horror movies (“Misery,” from the late Rob Reiner, came to mind). Sometimes people like to debate which movies they wish they could have with them on a deserted island. I wouldn’t want “Send Help” even if I didn’t have to waste a pick on it. Grade: C- “Send Help” is rated R for strong/bloody violence and language. Its running time is 113 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at  rrg251@nyu.edu .

Send responses to:  andybowman839@gmail.com         You remember hearing and seeing the popular phrase, WWJD? ‘What Would Jesus Do.’ If you do, very likely you also remember often seeing the mocking curl of the lip of someone in the vicinity. That sentence  showed up everywhere and soon became trite and overused. And almost guaranteed to irritate anyone nearby. I can even remember hearing certain people as they would laugh and say, “WWJD….oh, yeah sure, me too. And I can give you a few ideas for your WWJD. But you probably ain’t gonna appreciate ‘em.” Because show up it certainly did…everywhere. Remember the wrist bands?? The t-shirts, license plates, coffee cups, plaques, business cards, and pictures that carried that phrase, WHAT WOULD JESUS DO? Talk  about overkill, and running a good thing straight into the ground. But honestly, was it the phrase that grated on the nerves, or the mouths that spouted it at the drop of a hat? Was it what the sentence stood for, or the hypocrisy it exposed, as people let it drip religiously out of their  mouth – while at the same time their actions did exactly the opposite? Being open and quite honest with you, I have to admit that WWJD wore mighty thin, mighty quickly for me too. Sure, I attempted to not let my feelings show with a mocking curl of my lip, but, I confess, inside it was there. Why? Overkill, from hearing it way too often? Hypocrisy of the speaker? My own feelings of sudden guilt when confronted by such an ‘in your face” reminder of the One who is always hearing and watching me fall flat  on my face too many times? Maybe. Or it could easily have been all of the above. It is mighty difficult to hear “WWJD!!!” fall blithely from the lips of someone who has deliberately, or even unwittingly, cut someone to the quick, and then just five minutes later hear them sweetly use that same phrase  again as they try to encourage their friend. Hear me well. It was not the actual phrase, or the wording of the phrase, or the good intentions behind the creating of that phrase that was so irritating. WWJD is certainly representative of living a life that never hurts anyone or takes advantage of a situation. The meaning of WWJD is wonderful and worthy of attempting to emulate. The problem lies with the fact that most didn’t. Most of the time we just delivered lip service to it as we smiled sweetly, and actually delivered WWTWD. And if you don’t recognize the ‘TW’ substitution, simply turn on  your local news and see it in living color. The World… and folks, it’s not very pretty. And it’s certainly not sweet and loving. Not worth imitating at all. But yet we do. And predictably as the result, we now have what we have. A world that is deeply in turmoil. Anger, hate, revenge rule….AHRR, I guess.

Celebrate Super Bowl LX, Valentine’s with special foods By Kara Kimbrough   Chocolate Covered Strawberries (Photo credit: Kara Kimbrough)    A few years ago, the Super Bowl did American men a favor by landing right in the middle of Valentine’s Day weekend. The excuse that there was “simply no time” to go out for a special Valentine’s meal due to the big game got them off the hook. Fast forward to 2026; Super Bowl LX, or the 60 th  game, falls on Sunday, Feb. 8. Valentine’s Day arrives the following Saturday. However, there are ways to celebrate both special events with simple dishes that are easy to prepare and enjoyed at home with minimal stress on everyone involved.     First, every year a new Super Bowl food trend seems to sweep the internet; this year is no exception. TikTok is filled with thousands of “new” game day recipes and elaborate decorating ideas. A few of my favorites include a “stadium” made of small boxes filled with snacks and dips, highlighted by a “field” containing platters of wings, burgers and pizza slices; a backdrop of gold balloons shaped to resemble gold posts, with a giant football balloon positioned in the center and hundreds of versions of hot and cold dips, pizzas, sliders, wings and more.    My favorite food idea this year is a “wings and things” board filled with a selection of fried chicken tenders and wings, spicy fries, fried pickles, slices of grilled sausages, a bowl of homemade ranch dressing for dipping and here’s the interesting part…halves of grilled cheese sandwiches interspersed throughout the regular game day fare.     Turns out, “Grilled Cheese on Texas Toast” is a relatively new item in the freezer case at Sam’s. Requiring only a few minutes in the microwave (or a little longer in the oven) the end result is a hot, crispy, cheesy addition to the “wings and things” charcuterie board.     It’s fun to try new food trends, but let’s face it, there are some tried-and-true Super Bowl foods that everyone expects to be on the buffet table and for good reason.      It simply wouldn’t be the Super Bowl without everyone’s favorite chips and dips, a mile-high stack of nachos and all the toppings, the afore-mentioned wings and plenty of dipping sauces and depending on your taste, a huge pot of chili, burgers and maybe a pizza or two. Each of these dishes deserves their rightful place of honor on Super Bowl Sunday and for the most part, they’ll be served in most homes or at parties celebrating the game this Sunday.    As for Valentine’s Day, yes, it falls on Saturday, making it convenient for most couples to dine out at a restaurant in honor of the holiday celebrating love and other sentimental emotions. But if one or both members of the couple would prefer a cozy dinner at home, it’s super easy to create a meal that’s almost (notice I said “almost”) as good as anything that can be found at a restaurant.    I’ve compiled a few of my favorite Super Bowl and Valentine’s recipes for you to recreate. If you'd like additional recipes for either special event, drop me an email and I'll send them to you. Enjoy!   Super Bowl LX Wings (Photo credit: Kara Kimbrough)     Super Bowl LX Wings 2 pounds chicken wings: Split into drumettes and flats 1-2 tbsp baking powder (for crispy skin- make sure you’re using baking powder, not baking soda!) 1 cup barbecue sauce, teriyaki sauce or hot sauce (1 cup hot sauce mixed with 1 cup melted butter) Seasoning blend: 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon chili powder.      Prep wings: Pat the wings completely dry with paper towels. In a large bowl, toss the wings with the olive oil (if using), then add the baking powder and spice mixture, tossing thoroughly to coat. For maximum crispness, place seasoned wings on a wire rack over a baking sheet and leave uncovered in refrigerator 1–2 hours (or up to 24 hours).      Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Arrange wings in a single layer on a wire rack set over a foil-lined baking sheet that has been lightly brushed with olive oil or sprayed with cooking spray to prevent sticking.      Bake for 40–50 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.     To add sauce: Remove from oven; toss wings in a bowl with preferred sauce, or leave in pan and cover wings with sauce using a small brush, turning to coat both sides.      Return sauced wings to the oven for an additional 5–10 minutes to crisp wings. Steaks for Two Marinate a thick cut of sirloin (or your favorite cut) steak for several hours in the refrigerator with:  1/2 bottle of teriyaki steak sauce   Juice of 1 lemon Salt and pepper   Remove from refrigerator and coat the top of each steak with 1-2 tablespoons of butter. Grill or broil to desired level of doneness. Let meat rest before slicing.  Twice-Baked Potatoes      Bake two large baking potatoes. Scoop out inside, leaving a small border of potato around edges. Add to the meat of the potatoes: • Small container of French onion dip • 1-2 tablespoons of butter     Stir and return mixture to potatoes. Top with a sprinkle of bacon pieces and shredded cheese, if desired. Place under the broiler or in microwave for a couple of minutes until butter and cheese are melted; don't overcook. V-Day Chocolate-Covered Strawberries  1-pint fresh strawberries 1 cup milk chocolate chips, white chocolate or dark chocolate chips 1 teaspoon coconut oil       Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Dry strawberries well with paper towels to make sure chocolate adheres perfectly. Heat chocolate chips and coconut oil in microwave safe bowl for 2 minutes on 50%. Stir until smooth. Dip each strawberry into the melted chocolate, making sure the strawberry is covered almost to the stem. Place chocolate covered strawberry onto parchment lined baking sheet and place into the freezer for at least 15 minutes to set. Once chocolate is set, you can dip the bottom half of strawberries in alternating chocolate color or drizzle alternating color over strawberries with a fork. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Note:  For Super Bowl, leave some plain after dipping in dark chocolate. Decorate each with white “football laces” using small icing tubes found in the baking aisle. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at  kkprco@yahoo.com .