Saint Mary’s invites the community to experience an afternoon of uplifting music and spiritual reflection at this month’s Second Saturdays at Saint Mary’s event. Join us this Sunday, December 8th, at 3 p.m. for an inspiring performance by a renowned tenor as he shares selections from Handel’s Messiah , including the powerful “Comfort Ye” and “Every Valley” , as well as other beloved Advent favorites. Following the concert, guests are invited to a reception at the Terry Brantley Parish Hall, where we’ll gather for fellowship and light refreshments. In the spirit of the season, we encourage attendees to bring canned goods to benefit Stewpot, a local organization dedicated to serving those in need. Your contributions will help brighten the holidays for many in our community. Make plans to worship with us this Sunday at Saint Mary’s and be inspired by this extraordinary performance, warm fellowship, and the joy of giving. We look forward to sharing this sacred season with you!

By Bob Garver             2016’s “Moana” is probably my favorite animated Disney movie of the modern era. I have plenty of nice things to say about “Frozen,” “Zootopia,” “Encanto,” and several others, but “Moana,” with its timelessly-relatable main character, sharp physical comedy, and multiple memorable songs, puts it just a coir above the competition. When an evidently-rushed sequel was announced earlier this year, I became nervous. What if the new film was so disappointing that it affected my opinion of the original? Now that I’ve seen the film, I’m happy to report that my enjoyment of the original is not tarnished by this underwhelming sequel.             The film takes place three years after the original, with Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) now her island’s premier wayfinder, or boat navigator. The community is thriving, and she’s gradually finding clues that will hopefully lead her to discover more islands with communities that can be joined. But she receives a vision that if she doesn’t find far-off island Motufetu very soon, everything she holds dear will be lost. She throws together a mission with a ragtag crew that includes overeager builder Loto (Rose Matafeo), grumpy farmer Kele (David Fane), oafish historian Moni (Hualālai Chung), pet pig Pua, and chicken Heihei, and sets off on an adventure with more self-doubt than she’s ever had in her life.             Along the way, she meets up with an old enemy: the tribe of sentient coconuts known as Kakamora. The two sides battle until they discover that they both need somebody to find Motufetu, at which point one of the Kakamora joins the quest as an enforcer. Not long after, the crew find themselves swallowed by a giant clam, which is home base for new villain Matangi (Awhimai Fraser), who has abducted Moana’s former ally, the demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson). It turns out that Matangi needs Moana to find Motufetu as well, though her motivations probably aren’t as pure as the Kakumora just wanting to find their way home. With Maui now officially on the crew, it’s a race to reach Motufetu before unhappy god Nalo (Tofiga Fepulea’i) can stop them with his storm-conjuring powers.             Slowly but surely, the downgrades from the first movie come to light. New songwriters Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear try valiantly to give Moana an anthem as powerful as “How Far I’ll Go,” but “Beyond” falls just a bit short. “Get Lost” from Matangi isn’t quite as memorable a villain song as “Shiny.” And as far as Maui goes, “Can I Get A Chee Hoo?” is a fall off a cliff from “You’re Welcome” that matches Johnson’s own falling star power. His tired, somehow-mugging-for-the-camera-even-in-animation schtick is probably the worst thing about this movie, other than an inexplicable overreliance on gags that involve creatures excreting from various orifices.             The movie still gets a recommendation from me. Cravalho is great as always, the new characters are compelling enough, the jokes hit at an acceptable ratio, and there’s an overall agreeable tone for an animated adventure. There’s nothing here that makes me want to turn against the “Moana” brand, which is good because we’re going to be getting a lot more of it in the future. Supposedly this movie was supposed to be the first few installments of a television miniseries, and harsher critics will say that it should have been stuck on television. I don’t agree with that assessment, I think theaters are lucky to have “Moana 2,” even if it’s a step down from the original. But Moana’s journey is clearly far from over, and however it continues, I hope it doesn’t lose any more magic than it already has.   Grade: B-   “Moana 2” is rated PG for action/peril. Its running time is 100 minutes.   Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu .

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com Four-year-old Barry was rambunctious and energetic. Gifted by God with charming smile, electric blue eyes and golden hair. From the moment those mesmerizing blue eyes opened, to when they reluctantly closed in sleep after he had raced headlong thru his day, Barry had to be on the move. He loved to run, climb, throw, jump and crash. In many ways, he was a normal, high energy, little boy in blue shorts, t-shirt and tennis shoes. Except for his tendency to be a forty-one-pound wrecking ball on a mission. His little body seemed incapable of operating at a normal speed for a preschooler. Mean spirited and deliberately destructive? No, not at all. He just had a nuclear-powered jet engine in a forty-one pound body, with only one speed – overdrive. If there were any brakes installed for slowing down that scary motor, they were well-hidden and rarely put to use. Does the description of this meteorite on steroids sound pretty charming? A gorgeous, precocious and intelligent little boy who was loving life? Yeah, absolutely, until you looked around in his wake at what used to be your living room that now resembled a glorified trash dump. This child seemed gifted with an ability to destroy a living room in ten minutes flat. Nothing was safe around this kid. Draperies, coffee table knickknacks, tv, or table lamps – all were fair game in his world. But to his credit, he never discriminated. Whether he was in his mom’s home, or in yours, it didn’t matter. He saw any place he was playing as his domain to be enjoyed – and accidentally obliterated. This normal, energetic, intelligent and charming little one had only one problem, and it wasn’t him. It was his parents. Because they “loved” him so deeply, and found his antics so impossibly cute and funny, they couldn’t bring themselves to do what was best for him. They never physically disciplined him. They put their own needs before his. Their weak-kneed attempts at civilizing him were limited to adoring words of affirmation and gently spoken corrections, such as, “Barry, honey, you shouldn’t throw that bat in Mr. Carl’s house, that’s not a good choice.” Or, “Sweetie, please try to just play with some toys on the floor. I know you’re bored, but climbing this sweet lady’s drapes to try to touch the ceiling is not a good idea. You might hurt yourself.” Tell me something, all you parents out there. How are little minds and bodies supposed to learn how to behave and act in society, when their parents lack the guts to say NO, and then won’t physically do whatever has to be done to enforce that word? That can result an energetic, untaught little four-year-old who will remind you of a lovable tornado, because a untrained and undisciplined four-year-old is exactly that! Moms and dads, your God gave you a tornado to tame and train, that is your job!! Love your child enough to do that job.

The Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum will host the annual Homestead for the Holidays event on Thursday, December 12, and Friday, December 13, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Admission is $8 per person for ages 3 and up. Enjoy breakfast for supper, story time with Mrs. Claus and have pictures taken with Santa and Rudolph. Visit the Fortenberry-Parkman Farmstead to see various agricultural demonstrations and take a stroll through Small Town to experience Christmas during the early 1920s. The carousel, train rides and hayrides will be available, as well as live music throughout the grounds. Visitors will have the opportunity to write letters to Santa on limited-edition postcards, printed in the Small-Town Print Shop, and browse the General Store for an old-fashioned glass bottle drink and unique Mississippi-made products that make great gifts and stocking stuffers. Homestead for the Holidays is sponsored in part by the Mississippi Egg Marketing Board, the Mississippi Beef Council, Cal-Maine Foods Inc., Mississippi Poultry Association, Polk’s Meat Products and The Dairy Alliance. For more information about this family-oriented and festive event, visit  www.msagmuseum.org/homestead-for-the-holidays . The Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum, a division of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, is located at 1150 Lakeland Drive in Jackson. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, call 601-432-4500 or 1-800-844-8687, visit  www.msagmuseum.org  or visit the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum’s page on Facebook, Instagram and X.

By: Kara Kimbrough Watching the televised lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York City always conjures up delightful memories of a special trip; ones that I pull up and think about as soon as the month of December rolls around. Hopefully by the time you finish reading this, you’ll be planning your own trip to what I can only describe as a magical place during the holidays. In the meantime, you can experience a little piece of NYC this Christmas by ordering a special gift from the shopping mecca of the world or at the very least, making one of the city’s most famous delicacies to enjoy during the holidays. But back to my reminiscing. A few Christmases ago, I was standing near the magnificent Rockefeller Center Christmas tree gazing up with awe at thousands of multi-colored tree lights and a brilliant star composed of 70 spikes covered with 3 million brilliant Swarovski crystals. At that time, visitors could walk right up to the tree, shoot photos and generally bask in the awesomeness of the glorious structure. Across the street, Christmas music synced to an awe-inspiring light show along the front of Saks Fifth Avenue added to the magical experience. A chilly December wind whipping the colorful flags circling the skating rink (and our hair) added to the excitement of the Hallmark movie-like moment. I would have missed this memorable sight if I hadn’t decided to leave the Rainbow Room on the 65th floor of Rockefeller Center early with part of my travel group from Mississippi and Texas. On a whim as we exited Rockefeller Center, my friend Robin's husband, Word, guided us around the corner to the site of the tree near the ice-skating rink. This last-minute decision created special memories that we still talk about to this day. Fast forward to 2024 and visitors are no longer allowed to get up close to the Rockefeller tree due to security issues. And, Saks recently announced it was discontinuing its famous music and light show. Our impromptu detour to see the tree was indeed fortuitous, as that magical experience can never be recreated in quite the same way. Despite these setbacks, literally thousands of amazing light shows, Christmas decorations, entertainment with a holiday theme (the Radio City Rockettes come to mind) and much more are spread throughout the five boroughs of NYC for visitors to enjoy from now until New Year's. If you’ve visited NYC before and want to give a gift straight from the Big Apple to those on your list (or to treat yourself), it’s not too late to order a special item online and have it shipped to you in time for Christmas.  A few that come to mind include: Saks – Who wouldn’t love a gift from an upscale NYC store that’s unlike anything you’ll likely find locally? Even better, Saks’ shipping fees are reasonable. Check out the latest fashions, home décor and specialty items at: saksfifthavenue.com . A piece of Central Park – If you’ve ever explored this massive park in the heart of Manhattan, you’ll be excited to know you can easily order a variety of items from the Central Park Conservancy, the organization that cares for the 843-acre park. Books, Christmas ornaments, mugs, apparel and more can be ordered from the website: centralparknyc.com . Looking for a special gift for the foodie on your list? A number of NYC bakeries and food stores ship their most requested products around the country (and world). A few of my favorites are: Junior’s Deli’s famous cheesecake; Carlo’s Bake Shop’s black and white cookies and Levain Bakery’s variety of cookies. Bagel-lovers can choose between these favorites: Essa Bagel, Eli Zabar, Russ & Daughters, Zucker's Bagels and Brooklyn Bagel, to name a few. If none of these suggestions will work for those on your list, here’s a novel idea. Give them the gift of…wait for it…New York City in 2025! While a trip to the city during the Christmas season can be pricey (email me if you’d like my tips on the best week in December to visit and other cost-savings measures), prices drop quite a bit during the chilly month of January. A trip to the most fascinating city in the world is doable by taking advantage of special savings during NYC Hotel Week. This special promotion offers 25% off standard room rates at participating hotels from Jan. 2 -Feb. 9. Reservations are now open at the more than 120 hotels participate in Hotel Week, so it’s easy to book now and present the “gift” of a visit to be enjoyed just after New Year’s. Additionally, NYC Hotel Week is part of NYC Winter Outing, NYC Tourism + Convention's ultimate winter value program. Included are Restaurant, Broadway and Must-See Weeks offering rare discounts on meals, Broadway show tickets and a variety of entertainment venues. Winter Outing runs from Jan. 21-Feb. 9. I visited NYC in January and took advantage of many of these special discounts. I can attest that the savings are significant. The weather was cold, but not unlike January weather we sometimes experience in the south. If you’re considering a trip to enjoy NYC during the Christmas season (there’s still time!) drop me an email and I’ll share my “must-do” list and other tips. For more information about Winter Outing and Hotel Week as well as “all things New York,” visit New York City Tourism + Convention's website at: nyctourism.com . In the meantime, I’m adding NYC’s famous black and white cookies to my Christmas food gifts this year. Not only are they delicious, but the sight of them will tide me over until I land back in my favorite city. The recipe for black and white cookies is a little lengthy, so drop me an email if you’d like it and I’ll send it to you ASAP.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, in collaboration with the National Weather Service and the Mississippi Department of Transportation, encourages Mississippians to prepare for the upcoming winter weather season on Winter Weather Preparedness Day, December 4, 2024. In January 2024, dangerous cold and icy conditions caused 12 fatalities and 29 injuries across the state. Mississippians are encouraged to prepare their families, homes, and vehicles for cold temperatures, possible extended power outages, and wintry weather. "While Mississippi is not known for snow, we experience cold and wintry precipitation. Don't wait for a winter storm to be in the forecast to prepare. All citizens should prepare today by building a disaster go-kit that can get them through at least 72 hours without power and in freezing temperatures," says MEMA Executive Director Stephen McCraney. More preparedness tips can be found on MEMA's website,  msema.org . "Now is the time to prepare for cold temperatures and potential snowy and icy conditions. Stay informed, have emergency supplies like blankets and nonperishable food, and ensure your home is adequately insulated. Preparedness is key to navigating winter weather effectively in Mississippi," says Michael Hill, National Weather Service Jackson Warning Coordination Meteorologist. As we enter the winter season, roads and bridges can become treacherous for drivers. "Without warning, winter weather and extreme cold events can strike anywhere in Mississippi, and can impact Mississippi highways for multiple days," said Brad White, MDOT Executive Director. "We urge motorists to always have a plan, monitor road conditions, and follow guidance from your local weather officials to remain safe." Here are some ways to prepare your family, home, and vehicle for the upcoming winter months: Winterize Your Home: Store dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove. Insulate walls and attics; use caulk and weather-stripping around doors and windows. Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic. Winterize your house, barn, shed, or any other structure that may provide shelter for your family, neighbors, livestock, or equipment. Clear rain gutters, repair roof leaks, and cut away tree branches that could fall on a house or other structure during a storm. Insulate pipes with insulation or newspapers and plastic and allow faucets to drip slightly during cold weather to avoid freezing. Keep fire extinguishers on hand and ensure everyone in your house knows how to use them. Learn how to shut off water valves in the case of a pipe bursting. Know ahead of time what you should do to help elderly or disabled friends, neighbors, or employees. Your Disaster Go-Kit for Your Family Should Include: Non-perishable food for family and pets Water (1 gallon/family member a day) Extra blankets Dry Firewood Additional medications First Aid Kit Phone Charger Hygiene Items Flashlights Extra Batteries Car Kit Checklist: Windshield scraper Flashlight with extra batteries Jumper cables First aid kit Blankets Cell phone charger Water/snacks Emergency flares or reflectors

The Mississippi Farmers Market will host its Holiday Harvest event this Saturday, December 7, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Market will feature complimentary hot chocolate, apple cider and popcorn, as well as letters to Santa and unique vendors for holiday gift shopping. Santa Claus will be at the Market 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for photos, and the Genuine MS® Store will be offering holiday-style samples as part of an open house showcase. “I want to invite the public to come by the Mississippi Farmers Market Saturday to enjoy a time of family and holiday-oriented festivities,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson. “In addition to the usual array of farmers, artisans and entrepreneurs, shoppers will also be treated to a unique, community celebration and Christmas experience they can share with loved ones.” The Farmers Market Café, located inside of the Mississippi Farmers Market, is open 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every weekday and 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every Saturday. For daily menu schedules, visit the Farmers Market Café on Facebook. The Genuine MS® Store, also located inside the Mississippi Farmers Market, is open 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every Saturday. Find all sorts of Mississippi grown, raised, crafted and made gift ideas from the Genuine MS® Store online at  www.genuinems.com/genuine-ms-store  today. The Mississippi Farmers Market, a division of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, is open 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every Saturday. For additional information about the Mississippi Farmers Market, visit  www.msfarmersmarket.com  or follow the Mississippi Farmers Market on Facebook, Instagram and X.

By: Mika Hartman Christmas is here and we are counting our blessings. When I was a little girl, I started collecting Precious Moments figures. My Granny Joy and I shared love for these collectibles and they almost became an obsession. My favorite ones were the Christmas ones and the “Make a Joyful Noise” figurine. Loving the cheekiness in the figures and the scriptures they depicted was easy; this one, with the little girl and the goose, had my granny’s name in the scripture making it even more special.   To "make a joyful noise” meant laughter for the longest to me; but, ask me today, and it means all kinds of noises. Hudson’s noises, in particular, bring us all joy. If you listen closely, you can hear words forming. Hudson’s laughter is the best noise ever, but hearing him say “dude” or “I’m good” is a level of tearful joy, too. And, of course, “mama” or “dada”, while not often, is so good to hear. These two words usually follow a cry for something, but he knows who to call… and that brings us joy.    Looking back, from cries to giggles, my journey as a special needs parent has been filled with many new noises; not all the noise has been joyful. The beeps, sirens, alarms, oxygen tanks filling, g-tube machines malfunctioning, and, mainly, the cries that had a trauma feeling attached, all made me very anxious in the beginning. The level of information we need, but have to search for, can be overwhelming. When your child is visibly upset, but he has no words to tell you what’s wrong, those noises can quickly send you into a spiral. My son will always be enough, but we constantly worry about whether we are providing all he needs and how he can use these tools best.     What I have learned: all the noises meant my son was here and fighting, giving us the gift of time. Initially, the noises were scary and unfamiliar, but now they are joyful, too. We made it. We now have less equipment attached. We now have fewer machines to charge and fill. We now have a better understanding of what he needs in most of the situations… we had to go through the hard to get here. The gift of time brings joy: past, and present, plus, hope for a joyous future. The hard brings confidence and helps consolidate the noise. The fight leads to winning.   Every challenge we have faced shows me that we can and will rise above it, and come out both better and stronger for that experience. We are not built differently than anyone else; we all have so much more inside of us than we know. My courage and voice come from seeing my son fight and forge through hard and unfamiliar things… and he can now say, “I’m good”. If he’s good (more like great), I am great, too.  When fear turns to joy, you listen hard for the EXTRA joyful noises in your life. We are blessed.  Merry Christmas from our family to yours. May you hear the bell of Saint Nick, plus, many more EXTRA joyful noises. Be still and listen.

By Bob Garver               It was in the spring of 2004 that I first saw Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth perform the show-stopping “Defying Gravity” from the Broadway blockbuster “Wicked” at the Tony Awards. Since that moment was over 20 years ago, it means that I have waited literal decades for a big-screen version of “Wicked.” I’ve more than satisfied my appetite for the stage version, having seen it five times, once with Menzel still in the cast (sadly never with Chenoweth). But I’ve always wanted the vast production to be available to the world, with added scale and visual spectacle to boot. Now the wait is finally over, and the result is… reasonably acceptable.             The story takes place before, during, and after the well-known events of “The Wizard of Oz.” As this film is only the first part of a two-part saga, it mostly focuses on the “before,” though it opens in the “after.” Glinda (Ariana Grande), the “Good Witch of the North,” informs the citizens of Munchkinland that Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), the “Wicked Witch of the West,” has been killed via melting. The townspeople are overjoyed that the local villain has been thwarted, but some want to know how she came to be so wicked in the first place. Glinda recalls that their paths crossed years ago, and the rest of the movie is a flashback.             Elphaba and Galinda (as she was then known) were students together at the prestigious Shiz University. Elphaba’s green skin made her an outcast even in her own family, and she was only allowed to attend so she could tend to her sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode), who used a wheelchair. Galinda was pretty and popular, but also spoiled and egotistical. Her (figurative) bubble was burst when, for the first time in her life, she wasn’t given preferential treatment over someone like Elphaba. Goat-professor Dr. Dillamond (Peter Dinklage) couldn’t even pronounce the first vowel in her name, yet got along with Elphaba because she was kind to animals at a time when the land of Oz was turning against them. Magic professor Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) also preferred Elphaba because she had natural telekinetic abilities while Galinda didn’t have an ounce of magic in her body. Even studly prince Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) found Elphaba more intriguing precisely because she didn’t fall for his “brainless bad-boy” routine. The girls started off loathing each other, but became friends after Galinda (with selfish ulterior motives) got Nessarose a date with nerdy munchkin Boq (Ethan Slater).             Eventually, word of Elphaba’s magical prowess reached the Emerald City, earning her an audience with the all-powerful Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum). Glinda tagged along to meet the mysterious Wizard, and together the pair discovered that his power was more about charisma than magic, though the magic Elphaba could do was real. For example, she could give wings to the Wizard’s monkey guards so they could fly. She could even give the power of flight to nonliving things, like a broom. After a falling-out with The Wizard, Elphaba became the most feared person in all of Oz, but was it justified?             “Wicked” certainly succeeds in delivering the epic proportions that I demand, including an epic 160-minute runtime that I didn’t necessarily demand. That’s a mere five minutes short of the length of the Broadway show, and this movie only covers Act 1. Sometimes the extra length is good, it means that the movie can throw in bonus content like a stage show in the Emerald City that had the audience at my screening squealing with delight. Other times it just makes the movie plodding, or interferes with the flow of key moments. I hate to say it, but “Defying Gravity” is thrown off because the movie wants to do more visually than the song’s traditional runtime will allow, so some extra beats have been added that I don’t think serve it well. This movie has all the magic of the stage version and more, I just don’t think I care much for the “more.”   Grade: B   “Wicked” is rated PG for some scary action, thematic material and brief suggestive material. Its running time is 160 minutes.   Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu .

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com Little Jimmy was one of those eight-year-boys who seem to be able to find a mud puddle in the Sahara Desert. And within seconds have his body covered with it. Sandy hair falling over mischievous bright eyes, he was an intelligent, energetic kid who had a boundless love of life. Jimmy wasn’t exactly a deliberately disobedient child, but his exuberant love of adventure seemed to cause him to have a lot of difficulty staying within his dad’s boundaries. Repeated warnings, lectures, and flat-out punishment changed nothing. Eventually, Dad finally reached the point of holding Jimmy seriously accountable. After the latest bad decision to flaunt the rules, Dad called the boy into the kitchen for a serious talk. He sat Jimmy down at the table, moved the salt and pepper shakers aside, and with a stern face he leaned in close. “Son, do you have any idea how disappointed I am in you tonight?” Jimmy’s head dropped, “Ummm, I, uhhhh,” wiggle, squirm, “I dunno know what you’re talkin’ ‘bout, Dad.” “Yes, I’m pretty certain you do, Jimmy. And I’m also pretty certain you remember from the last time this happened that I told you the penalty for this was going to be stiff. And I meant exactly what I said.” More wiggling and squirming. “Jimmy, do you remember what I told you I would have to do, if you decided to disobey me again?” Dad sat quietly while Jimmy squirmed, and shuffled his restless feet. Waiting patiently for his son to confess. Seconds passed into minutes as the little boy struggled with rebellion, telling the truth, his guilt, and his fear of punishment. Finally, the dam broke. With a sigh, the guilt came out in a storm of tears as Jimmy looked up into his dad’s eyes and started owning up. Even stuff that his dad had never heard before now. Choking with conflicting emotions of anger and unconditional love, he gathered his little guilt- ridden criminal into his arms and waited for the tears to stop. Finally, only sniffles remained. “Son, I’m so glad you’ve told all this to me. Now, your honest tears are going to make a difference in what I must do because I am your dad. But son, there are some apologies and pay- back to the neighbors you are going to have to make. You are going to have to make things right.” Dad held Jimmy away and looked squarely in his eyes. “But you better understand this. My forgiveness tonight does not mean that you will get by with this behavior from now on, with no consequences. You’re too big for this to continue, you understand?” Folks, little Jimmy is you and me. And that dad is your God and Creator. And His forgiveness, when our honest tears of repentance fall, is very real. But, like Jimmy’s dad said, you gotta confess.

by Allen Thomas, Regional Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration Did you know that more than 80% of Americans trust small businesses and believe it's important to support them? This 2024 Small Business Saturday is for YOU. Americans understand that small businesses contribute to the relevancy of their communities, support local non-profits, employ more than half of our workforce and are a significant economic engine both locally and nationally. Additionally, about 80% of small business owners say that the end of the year spending by customers is important for their bottom line. These are just some of the reasons why we encourage people who invest in their communities to actively participate in Small Business Saturday and the Season of Small Business. This is the season for entrepreneurs to shine! The Saturday after Thanksgiving and the entire holiday season is the perfect time to drop by unique retail shops, scrumptious eateries and businesses offering memorable experiences. Even if you prefer to shop online, you can still purchase goods and services from small businesses through their websites. Small Business Saturday was launched by American Express in 2010, with the SBA joining as a co-sponsor in 2011. Since then, the popularity of Small Business Saturday has grown significantly. According to the National Retail Foundation, 2023's Small Business Saturday was an incredibly popular shopping day. To build on this holiday tradition, the SBA launched the Season of Small Business last year to encourage local spending throughout this festive time of year and beyond November 30th. Wherever you live, small businesses are eager to meet your needs this holiday season. Here are some ideas to celebrate Small Business Saturday and the Season of Small Business: Make supporting small businesses a full day of fun! Begin your day by inviting a friend to enjoy a warm beverage and treat, take in some small business shopping, try out a new eatery for lunch, visit a hands-on craft shop for an activity then top off the day with a relaxing dinner at a favorite local restaurant. Go to an in-town activity like a tree-lighting, community theater show or choir performance, visiting a local restaurant before or after. It's also a terrific way to interact with others who love your community, too. Take pics when you're shopping, eating or experiencing a small business. Check-in at the business, post to social media and tag the business. Let others know about your memorable experience. Use hashtags for even more exposure: #ShopSmall, #ShopSmallSaturday and #SeasonofSmallBiz Set aside a portion of your holiday budget specifically for small business products and services. If you are a small business owner, you may want to consider adding some additional marketing and outreach ideas to your plans: Visit SBA's Small Business Saturday site:  Small Business Saturday | U.S. Small Business Administration Check out SBA's info page for Season of Small Business:  Season of Small Business | U.S. Small Business Administration Call out Small Business Saturday and the Season of Small Business in your social media posts and comments by using the following hashtags: #ShopSmall #ShopSmallSaturday #SeasonofSmallBiz Follow the SBA on social media for additional tips on how to make Small Business Saturday and the Season of Small Business make a difference for your small business. Be sure to make a positive impact on your own communities by shopping and dining SMALL on Small Business Saturday and throughout the Season of Small Business and know that you have made a positive contribution to your own community! For more information on how the SBA can assist your small business start, grow, expand or recover, please visit  www.sba.gov . Para Español visita  www.sba.gov/es   To schedule an interview with Beto Yarce or learn more about the U.S. Small Business Administration, please contact: Lola Kress, SBA Regional Communications Director:  lola.kress@SBA.gov

By Kara Kimbrough    Thanksgiving is upon us and while it might seem impossible, there IS still time to get a decent meal on the table in mere hours. Of course, it involves a Crockpot to speed up the cooking process of a turkey breast since thawing a full-size frozen turkey is pretty much impossible at this late date, along with a quick trip to the supermarket for ingredients... but it can be done.    I’m living proof that a delicious Thanksgiving meal can be cooked and placed on the table in hours. Four years ago, forever known as “the COVID holidays,” I was forced to pivot and create a Thanksgiving meal with little notice. I’m sharing a few of my favorite recipes from what can only be described as a learning experience that resulted in a delicious meal and plenty of leftovers.     If you’d like additional Thanksgiving recipes, drop me an email and I’ll get them to you tonight. Trust me, there’ll still be plenty of time for one last trip to the grocery store.     Happy Thanksgiving! No Fuss, No Muss Turkey Breast 5-6-pound bone in turkey breast, thoroughly thawed 2 yellow onions, peeled and halved For Turkey Butter: Stick of unsalted butter, softened (or butter substitute) 1 tablespoon each: minced garlic, dry mustard, fresh rosemary, sage and thyme leaves, finely chopped Teaspoon each of salt and freshly ground pepper (or use Mrs. Dash) Mix ingredients together.      To prepare turkey:  Loosen skin from thawed turkey and pat breast dry. Use a small knife to cut slit on one side to separate skin from flesh. Using a butter knife, lift skin and coat breast with half of the butter. Coat the surface skin, including underside, with remaining butter. (If you prefer a lot of butter, simply double the recipe and amounts used to coat breast and skin.)     Season skin by sprinkling lightly with 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper or Mrs. Dash.     Place onion halves in bottom of 5 quart or larger Crockpot. Place turkey on top, skin side up. Cook 6 hours on low (check temperature after 5 hours) until internal temperature reads 165 degrees when meat thermometer is inserted into the middle.      Transfer turkey to baking tray (reserve juices in Crockpot). Cover loosely with foil, rest for 20 minutes. Preheat oven broiler to high in preparation for final browning of turkey. ·      Important step for browning:  Drizzle turkey very lightly with olive oil, not butter, to avoid burning. Place on a metal pan and put under a broiler at least 12 inches from heat for 5 to 10 minutes until skin is crispy. Watch very closely to make sure skin doesn’t burn. Serve with gravy. No Fuss, No Muss Turkey Gravy Crockpot juices (supplement with chicken broth or stock if desired) ½ cup water ¼ cup all-purpose    Ladle cooking juices from bottom of Crockpot into a bowl and press juices out of onions; set aside. In a non-stick skillet, mix flour and water until smooth, then stir in cooking juices. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, 3-5 minutes.  Notes: Adjust Crock-pot cooking time for larger turkey breasts. Meat is lean, so serve warm to maintain moistness. Chicken and Dressing Casserole 2-3 pounds boneless chicken breast filets or tenders, cooked and shredded (about 4 cups) 6 cups coarsely crumbled cornbread (I don’t recommend Jiffy Mix for this recipe) 8 slices white bread, torn 3 1/2 cups chicken broth 2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup 1 medium onion, chopped 2 stalks celery, chopped 4 eggs, slightly beaten 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup butter, cut into small      Heat oven to 400 degrees Spray 13x9-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray. In a large bowl, stir together all ingredients except butter. Spoon mixture into baking dish. Dot evenly with butter.  Bake uncovered about 45 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown Green Beans and Bacon 2 pounds fresh or frozen green beans (I prefer French style, but you can use cut beans) 1-pound bacon (don’t use thick-cut) 1 stick butter ½ cup brown sugar 1 tablespoon soy sauce (more to taste) 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (more to taste)  1 teaspoon garlic powder or 2 teaspoons minced garlic   Preheat oven to 350 degrees. If using fresh green beans, trim ends and blanch for 5 minutes in salted boiling water. Prepare frozen beans according to package directions. Pour drained green beans into a lightly buttered 13x9 inch baking dish.    In skillet, fry bacon until done, but not super crispy. Drain grease from bacon, chop coarsely on a cutting board and place 1/2 of bacon pieces over green beans.   In medium saucepan, melt butter, then add brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce and garlic to melted butter. Pour butter mixture over green beans and bacon. Lightly toss with spoon to thoroughly coat beans. (I add a little bacon grease to the beans, but this is optional.) Top with remaining bacon pieces.      Bake for 30 minutes or until beans are bubbly and bacon is crisp. Easy and Delicious Thanksgiving Dessert When Time is Short!  Marie Callendar’s Pecan, Dutch Apple or Lattice Apple Pie Note: All possess above-average crusts, not-so-sweet fillings and crunchy, almost-homemade toppings. At less than $10 each, it's a delicious, economical dessert. If you want to pass it off as your own, simply transfer it before baking into one of your own pie plates. Top with ice cream or whipped cream and serve! Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com .