The National Folk Festival  kicks off in Jackson this Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024! To accommodate the event, several temporary road closures  will be in place from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Closed Roads: U.S. 51/State St.  (between Pearl St. and Pascagoula St.) I-55 Ramp to Pearl St. (Exit 96A) Nearby roads around 200 South President St. , including State, Pearl, Congress, and Pascagoula Streets. Expect traffic delays in the area as the event starts at 4 p.m.  Plan to leave early and take alternate routes to avoid congestion. 🔍 For real-time updates, visit MDOTtraffic.com  or follow @MississippiDOT for the latest info. Thanks for your patience, and enjoy the festival! 🎶

Send any responses to:  andybowman839@gmail.com   My husband was a pastor for many years. And as such, he has always attempted to hold his public image as close to clean and shiny as he possibly could. After all, when you are called to represent the Creator, to love and help His creations, you really don’t want to be known as the bad penny of the neighborhood. But then, there came a day. Andy made a very bad mistake while flying from Oklahoma to Maine one afternoon. He was seated next to a friendly inquiring young man, who wanted to hear about life as a believer in God. And of course, Andy was happy to oblige. So he spent several hours with his head turned sideways as they talked. Like I said – a really bad mistake. Resulting in Andy’s first experience with severe long-lasting vertigo – a sickening uncontrollable dizziness. His experience with it lasted about three months. With repeated trips to a physical therapist trained in repairing the damage in his ear. (Ever hear of free-roaming BBs let loose to excitedly explore parts of the ear previously unknown to them?) After finally getting it basically under control, or so Andy thought, we decided to go for a short walk in our little community. Surely that would not over-tax his system. Wrong. Five blocks from home, his head was again suddenly attacked with a vicious sense of side-whirling, while also toppling over and over.   He actually did look like he was dead drunk, as he weaved his way down the sidewalk toward our front door. With me hanging on to his waist and trying mightily to hold him on a straight and steady course. And not having much luck. At one point I had to help him up off the neighbor’s lawn where he had landed. Believe, me, that was a particularly fun thirty seconds in our journey back to the relative safety of his recliner. I have no idea how many of our neighbors saw us that afternoon - stumbling and swerving our way back home – or what they chose to believe about that pastor who lives among them. “Hey, Jimmy!  Jimmy ! Come watch that goody-two-shoes couple that lives down the street. Now we know the real truth! Coupla’ lushes all this time!” Why am I boring you with this tale? To remind you; Many times, things are not always how they look. Actual facts matter a tremendous amount. So does your willingness to believe the worst about someone. Also worth thinking about:  Everyone else is also observing  your  life, and choosing to believe what they want to believe. No matter whether they have checked the story with you or not. I imagine you would appreciate those around you holding their tongue until they hear the truth from the horse’s mouth. Instead of choosing to believe the worst.

In recognition of World Diabetes Day – Thursday, November 14 – the Mississippi State Department of Health is urging you to Know Your Numbers. Knowing your numbers – cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and body mass index – is an important proactive step you should take to reduce your chances of developing diabetes and other major chronic illnesses that disproportionately affect Mississippians. Mississippi was second in the nation for diabetes prevalence in 2023. An estimated 1 in 6 of our residents are living with the disease, for which roughly 21,000 Mississippians are diagnosed annually. Diabetes affects the way the body uses food by causing sugar levels in the blood to be too high. Over time, high blood sugar damages nerves and blood vessels, leading to complications including heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, nerve problems and amputations. The MSDH Diabetes Prevention and Control Program invites you to learn more about prevention and treatment options during our annual Giving Diabetes the Blues event: Reception: November 21, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Jackson Medical Mall, featuring Grammy-winner Bobby Rush. Pre-register via this link: Giving Diabetes the Blues Tickets, Thu, Nov 21, 2024 at 4:00 PM | Eventbrite Conference: November 22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Two Museums. Pre-register here: Giving Diabetes the Blues Conference Tickets, Fri, Nov 22, 2024 at 9:00 AM | Eventbrite Safeguard your health by getting screened at your local health department at no cost. Screening can detect higher than normal blood sugar (pre-diabetes) before it develops into diabetes. If you have pre-diabetes, reduce your risks by losing weight, becoming more active and eating a healthier diet. World Diabetes Day raises awareness of the condition as a global public health issue, emphasizing the collective and individual actions needed for its prevention, diagnosis and management. Internationally, nearly half of all diabetes is undiagnosed, and 537 million people are living with the disease. This year's theme, "Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps," reinforces the commitment to ensuring that those with diabetes have access to equitable, comprehensive, affordable and quality treatment and care. Download our new MSDH Healthy App in Apple and Android stores. Stay up to date on news and updates at  www.msdh.ms.gov .  and on social media:   facebook.com/HealthyMS ,  twitter.com/msdh  and  Instagram.com/healthy.msalthyMS ,  twitter.com/msdh  and  Instagram.com/healthy.ms

By: Kara Kimbrough We’re well into our 7 th month of warm/sometimes hot Mississippi weather. My patience is wearing thin. However, the weather report shows the temperature FINALLY dropping into the 60’s this week. I need no further encouragement to begin making some of my favorite fall food items. The cooler weather is making me feel generous, so I’m sharing one recipe and will send the others to you upon request.     First, it’s been a couple of years since I made an apple strudel, but I think it’s time for a revival. A few years ago, I spent an afternoon with the expert bakers at Gluckstadt’s St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, learning how make the delicate strudels for the church’s annual Germanfest.      After years of rolling flimsy dough and piecing together unshapely strudels, I finally managed to make a strudel without it falling apart. Q uick tip: the key to rolling strudel, or making dough for pie crusts or any pastry, actually, is simple. It’s imperative to work with firm, chilled dough. Dough can be combined the day before, covered and chilled in the refrigerator overnight.     Also, instead of using a pastry board, a pastry cloth on which to place the dough for easy rolling is the way to go. The thin cloth is made of a utility fabric called unbleached drill, similar to light canvas. It can be found in the kitchen gadgets aisle next to rolling pins.   For something a little more substantial, the season’s first chili is on the horizon. I share a love of chili with one of my graduate professors at Southern Miss. Periodically, I send him a recipe for a “new” type of chili. If it’s not fall, aka chili-making season, he’ll inevitably politely respond, “Thanks, but it’s not time for chili yet.” Thankfully, it finally IS chili-making time!    Last, I picked up a package of apple cider doughnuts from Trader Joe’s, the gourmet grocery on steroids in Metairie just outside New Orleans. They were soft, flavorful, filled with a hint of apple cider and dusted with cinnamon and sugar. I’ll share my list of my favorite Trader Joe items next week; suffice to say, the doughnuts are on the list. I’ve made them before, so it’s time for a remake. I’ll share the recipe next week, along with the list.    So…come on, fall! We’re ready for cooler weather and the season’s hearty, satisfying dishes. Apple Strudel For the dough: 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 pinch of salt 1/3 cup water, lukewarm For the filling: 4 medium Granny Smith apples 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup slivered almonds, very finely chopped 1 teaspoon vanilla extract To assemble:  6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted      In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine melted butter, flour, salt and lukewarm water. Mix at medium speed about 1 minute until dough is smooth and elastic.      In a small covered saucepan, bring water to a boil then remove the pot from the heat, empty the pot and dry it with a dish towel. Line the pot with a sheet of parchment paper, put the dough into the pot and put the lid on. Let sit for 30 minutes at room temperature.      Tip: For best results, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes (or pop in the freezer for a quick chill) before beginning the rolling process).      Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Meanwhile, peel, core and cut the apples into small strips. Combine apples with lemon juice. Add cinnamon, sugar, almonds and vanilla extract. Set aside.    Lay a thin pastry cloth flat on the counter. Sprinkle with flour. Roll the dough out as thin as possible and brush lightly with melted butter.    Next, use your hands to carefully stretch dough until it is about 18x12 inches in diameter. Brush half of the melted butter over the rolled-out dough. Leaving a 2-inch margin at the top and bottom, spread the apple filling on top of the dough. Use a slotted spoon so that most of the juice stays in the bowl.     Fold the 2-inch margin at the top and bottom of the dough over onto the filling then roll up the strudel from the short side with the help of the cloth. Tuck in the ends.    Carefully transfer the strudel to the prepared baking sheet, seam side down. Brush with a little bit of melted butter and sprinkle more sugar on top (optional). Bake for about 50 minutes in the lower third of the oven, until lightly golden on top. Brush strudel with remaining melted butter every 20 min while in the oven. Let cool for 10 minutes then sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve warm. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com .

As we continue to recognize National Diabetes Month, the Mississippi State Department of Health is highlighting a major risk factor of the deadly chronic disease: smoking.   "If you smoke, you are 30 to 40 percent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than someone who doesn't," said Tiffany Johnson, Interim Director of the Office of Tobacco Control at MSDH.   Smoking not only increases your risk of developing diabetes, but it also impacts how well your insulin works. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the chemicals found in cigarettes cause cellular inflammation, which results in less response to insulin. Diabetics who smoke require higher doses of insulin to manage their blood sugar levels.   MSDH offers free programs by phone or text to support those who are quitting smoking, including professional counseling seven days a week and nicotine replacement resources. We also offer diabetes prevention and management programs to further support overall wellness and health through medication management and lifestyle modifications.   "We offer specific one-on-one support," said Johnson. "We want to see you succeed in your quit journey. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW and let's get started. And, if you want support for diabetes, the Health Department can help, too."   Youth and young adults ages 13 to 24 who vape can also get help by texting VapefreeMS to 88709.   "Diabetes is a disease with serious health consequences, but it is also controllable and preventable," said Jayda Lee, MSDH Director of the Diabetes Prevention and Control Program. "About 1 in 7 Mississippians are living with diabetes, placing the state in the top five nationally for diabetes rates."   Quitting smoking is always a healthy choice. To learn more about our programs, visit  www.msdh.ms.gov/diabetes   Download our new MSDH Healthy App in Apple and Android stores.   Stay up to date on news and updates at  www.msdh.ms.gov .   and on social media:   facebook.com/HealthyMS ,  twitter.com/msdh  and  Instagram.com/healthy.ms

Get ready for an exciting evening of food, fun, and community spirit at the Bolton-Edwards Elementary/Middle School Fall Festival , taking place on November 20th, 2024 , from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM  at 9700 I-20 Frontage Road in Bolton, MS . This affordable, family-friendly event is sure to be the highlight of your fall season! Highlights of the Festival: Entry Fee : Only $2  per person, with no refunds . Date & Time : November 20th  from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM . Location : 9700 I-20 Frontage Road, Bolton, MS. A Great Night for the Family Bring the whole family out for an evening filled with fun games, delicious food , and drinks, all while soaking in the festive fall atmosphere. Whether you're looking for something sweet to eat, a cold drink to enjoy, or a fun activity to take part in, there will be plenty to keep you entertained! The event offers a perfect opportunity to reconnect with friends, meet your neighbors, and enjoy the charm of the season in a relaxed and welcoming setting. Fun for All Ages There will be games for kids and adults ! It’s a great chance for kids to make new friends and for families to make memories while having a blast. Affordable Fun At just $2 per person , the BEEMS Fall Festival is an affordable way to get out and have fun, with something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you're coming for the games, the food, or just to enjoy the company of others, this festival is bound to be a highlight of your fall.

The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) today announced 84% of third graders passed the third-grade reading assessment after the final retest for 2023-24. Though the pass rate is slightly lower than 2022-23 (84.9%), third graders achieved an all-time high proficiency of 57.7% in English Language Arts (ELA) for the 2023-24 school year. The increased ELA proficiency rate marks a continuous upward trend since 2016 (33.6%). Mississippi's Literacy-Based Promotion Act requires third graders to achieve a passing score of Level 3 or higher on the reading portion of the state's ELA assessment to qualify for promotion to fourth grade. The assessment has five levels. Students who score at Level 4 are considered proficient; Level 5 is advanced. The Literacy-Based Promotion Act enacted in 2013 was created to help ensure kindergarten through third-grade students develop good reading skills. The law was amended in 2016 to raise the passing score on the third-grade reading test starting in the 2018-19 school year. Though not a steep decline, the 2024 final pass rate is lower than the final pass rates in 2023 (84.9%), 2022 (85%) and 2019 (85.6%). Due to the pandemic, there was no testing in 2020, and the passing requirement was waived in 2021. Three main areas MDE will offer support to schools and districts are as follows: Encourage and assist with the adoption of High-Quality Instructional Materials Continue to increase the number of school and district level staff trained in the Science of Reading Collaborate with Educational Preparation Programs to include Science of Reading training for pre-service teachers Final district-level pass rates are published in the  Literacy-Based Promotion Act Annual Report of Performance and Student Retention  for the 2023-24 school year. Students are provided with three attempts to pass the test. Students who do not pass the test after the final attempt are retained in third grade unless they qualify for one of the good cause exemptions for certain students with disabilities, students learning English or students who have been previously retained. Local school districts determine which students who did not pass qualify for an exemption for promotion to fourth grade. Districts also consider their local promotion and retention policies for making determinations. The LBPA takes a comprehensive approach to building the capacity of teachers and school leaders to effectively teach reading and implement an ongoing system to monitor student progress. The law enables the MDE to deploy literacy coaches to schools where data show students struggle the most with reading. Coaches work directly with teachers and administrators to help them become more effective teachers of reading. In addition, the MDE provides professional development related to teaching reading to teachers, school administrators and faculty in teacher preparation programs. Families can visit  strongreadersms.com  for resources to help children build reading skills at home. Find all MDE news releases at mdek12.org/news .

By Bob Garver             The last time audiences saw superpowered alien symbiote Venom (Tom Hardy) and his human “host” Eddie Brock (also Hardy) on the big screen, it wasn’t in a “Venom” movie, it was in a mid-credits sequence in 2021’s “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” The scene saw the pair briefly hop universes into the Disney-controlled Marvel Cinematic Universe, but then quickly get sucked back into the Sony-controlled Marvel universe – the one that has “Spider-Man” characters, but no Spider-Man (and is not to be confused with the animated Spider-verse). The scene is shown again at the beginning of “Venom: The Last Dance,” but it has no bearing on the story. Fans of the character should know not to expect MCU quality from this movie. This is the “Morbius”/”Madame Web” arm of the franchise.             The new film sees Eddie and Venom as fugitives in Mexico following some frowned-upon crimefighting in 2021’s “Let There Be Carnage.” They try to flee to New York, where they should be safe from human authorities, but they fail to factor in threats from non-humans. Venom’s recent activity inadvertently activated a device called a Codex, which exists as long as a symbiote and its human host are both alive. Supervillain Knull (Andy Serkis), imprisoned on a faraway planet, can use his minions called Xenophages to steal the Codex, break free and conquer the universe. I think the way it works is that if the Xenophages can swallow Venom alive, that counts as stealing the Codex for Knull. And simple evasion isn’t an option for Venom because the Xenophages are sure to cause a lot of collateral damage to Earth, and he’s the only one that can stop them. He and Eddie are going to have to fight.             If you thought I was spouting too much exposition just now, wait until you see the subplot about the secret Area 51 facility where symbiotes are studied by scientists like Dr. Teddy Payne (Juno Temple). The character comes complete with a backstory about feeling guilt over the death of her brother, who wanted to be a scientist. I get the impression that she only devotes herself to science out of guilt and not passion. If the character is supposed to be passionate about her work, it’s not coming through in Temple’s performance. She has several conversations with the facility’s enforcer Strickland (Chiwetel Ejiofor), one of those grunts that wants to kill any being he doesn’t understand, where all they do is explain the facility’s purpose to one another. Almost all of their dialogue could be preceded with the dreaded words “as you know…” because there’s no way these characters wouldn’t know all of this information already, but the audience has to be filled in.             Literally thrown off their flight, Eddie and Venom hitch a ride with the hippie Moon family, led by Martin (Rhys Ifans), on their way to Area 51 to try to see aliens. I guess the family’s scenes are supposed to be comic relief, but they aren’t funny. What is funny is a brief stop in Las Vegas where Eddie and Venom share a dance with franchise mainstay Mrs. Chen (Peggy Lu). Could the scene be cut without doing a disservice to the story? Yes. Should the scene stay in because it’s a welcome distraction from the story? Also yes.             That scene aside, “Venom: The Last Dance” is a slog. The script is a mess, the new characters unlikeable, the action murky and hard to follow, and the mindless Xenophages are terrible antagonists, with Knull not exactly helping by sitting on the sidelines the whole time. I’d say that Hardy comes off relatively unscathed because he has pretty good chemistry with… himself (I can’t decide if that makes the repartee easier or harder), but then I found out he has a story credit on this slop, so I can’t let him off the hook. I hope this really is the “Last Dance” for these “Spider-Man”-adjacent movies outside the MCU and Spider-verse.   Grade: D   “Venom: The Last Dance” is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, bloody images and strong language. Its running time is 110 minutes.   Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu .

The Town of Bolton will hold its annual Christmas parade on Saturday, December 14, 2024, with the event beginning promptly at 10:00 AM. This year’s theme, “Have a Merry Christmas,” aims to spread holiday cheer throughout the community. Local elected officials, business owners, churches, schools, and civil and social organizations are invited to participate. The entry fee is set at $10 for individuals and $30 for car, horse, or motorcycle clubs (up to five participants). Entry fees will be waived for area bands joining the parade. All applications and entrance fees must be submitted by Monday, December 2, 2024. For questions or more information, please contact: Ms. Alfenette Robinson at (601) 383-2407 Ms. Benda Lonne Griffin at (601) 942-8694 Mr. Eddie Gains at (601) 953-8044 Mrs. Rochella Sanders at (601) 866-7960 Mrs. Jean Butler at (601) 866-7317 Mrs. Johnie Thompson at (601) 291-0087 Mrs. Bobbie Hopson at (601) 241-0067 Ms. Susie Carter at (601) 866-7125 Ms. Vera Jean Powell at (601) 502-3141 The Town of Bolton encourages everyone to come out and enjoy the holiday spirit.

Send any responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com Remember from your childhood all those stories about that man or woman “who lives right over there?” That person you knew from experience - yours or others - to avoid at all costs. Those stories varied from a witch, to scary dude, to mean as a junk yard dog. Yeah, me too. And my kid imagination took off with wings that carried me to thoughts of murders and kidnapping. Silly child, you say? Absolutely, but you couldn’t convince me of that back then. Every neighborhood seems to have its own ‘that one.’ The person that kids either scramble past in a panic, or tease each other about ringing their doorbell and then running. Or, the neighborhood bullies just delight in torturing and taunting. Very rare is the kid who does none of those. Or any adults for that matter. Who deliberately invade the space of the neighborhood wonky, and with fear and trembling, attempt to get to know him. To maybe find out why he has such a reputation. Two things I would bet, if you were standing in front of me and ready to match wagers. First; your neighborhood Witchy Wanda or Raging Bull Bill suffered a severe trauma in life and was never able to move on. Just lives with the pain, believing they can’t ever function normally again. Second; that person is desperately lonely, underneath that fake exterior of toughness and nastiness. How in the world does that happen to a person? How do you become the one that even the dogs and cats give a wide berth? You have had more severe trauma than anyone else in this life? Own a personality that is incapable of handling hard things and caved under the pressure? Or by just pure choice? Here’s my thought. Severe trauma is going to happen at some point in life to all of us. At that point you are faced with an agonizing choice. Usually goes like this. Your path ahead contains Pain – Sadness - Anger …. then you approach a crossroads. One fork is marked Acceptance – Moving On. The other split holds Depression – Bitterness – Loneliness – possible Paranoia. That last path invariably gets you known as “that person in our neighborhood.” Obviously, the best path is to decide to find a great big burn barrel. Dump all your hurt, mistakes, fears, and your anger into that thing. Light it up and then walk away, determined to live. Then pursue people to love, work to invest into, and laughter wherever you can find it. How? By living in gratitude. Stubbornly deciding to mimic old Job, “Though He slay me, yet will I praise Him.” But granted, you can decide to hold onto your pain forever. You can build a huge insulated closet to store it all for the rest of your life. So that you can open that closet door daily, step inside, and review every box in that dark, dreary place. Your painful choice, and you would be smart to choose carefully and wisely.

By: Kara Kimbrough I’ve said it before but it bears repeating: casseroles get no respect. For some reason, the dishes that gained popularity in the 1970’s have fallen out of favor. I’m not sure if it’s due to the amount of sodium-filled cream of mushroom (or chicken or celery) soups or the fact that, like polyester, casseroles were bound to go out of style sooner or later.     But I’ve noticed a resurgence in one-dish meals that, while they may be called something else, bear a striking resemblance to casseroles of the 70’s. Enough time has elapsed and it’s now acceptable to combine protein, vegetables, a starch or two, cheese and even the dreaded soups into one dish. These dishes are now called “one pot meals” or “Greek/Italian/Mexican bowls” or something equally appealing. Even better, soups are now available in low-sodium varieties, making the addition much more acceptable.    Now that Thanksgiving’s within sight, cooks are experimenting with easier versions of the full-course turkey and dressing dinner. A recipe for “Thanksgiving casserole” is making the rounds of the internet, filled with much smaller amounts of many of the holiday’s traditional items. I make a version of one of the recipes and while it doesn’t compare to the actual feast, it’s still a tasty dish to make any time of the year.    And last, I’m a sucker for anything that contains hash browns. A recipe that literally takes minutes to create is the perfect antidote for a busy weekend when time is short and dinner time is fast approaching. To prevent anyone in the “I hate casseroles!” category from bypassing it, I’ve renamed it, along with the Thanksgiving dish. I hope you’ll try both of them…just don’t call them casseroles! All-In-One Dish Dinner 1 pound ground chuck, browned and drained1 small onion, diced1 can cream of mushroom soup (use low/reduced sodium if available) 1 can of corn, drained1/2 cup sour cream 1/4 cup melted butter Dash of onion powder, garlic powder, garlic salt and Cajun seasoning 1-pound shredded hashbrowns 2 cups of shredded Cheddar cheese or favorite blend (reserve for end)     Mix first 6 ingredients and seasonings together in a bowl; stir well to combine. Pour into a greased 9x13 casserole dish. Spread hashbrowns evenly over top, then add shredded cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until hashbrowns are brown and cheese is bubbly.   Shades of Thanksgiving Dinner Dish 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 small white onion, peeled and diced 1 large sweet potato (about 1 pound), peeled, thinly-sliced and diced 2 cups chopped fresh green beans (about 4 ounces), ends trimmed off 6 cloves garlic, peeled and minced 3 stalks celery, diced fine sea salt and freshly-cracked black pepper 1 small loaf sourdough bread, cubed and dried-out (about 6 cups) 1 pound diced cooked turkey 2/3 cup dried cranberries 1/4 cup finely-chopped fresh herbs (such as rosemary, thyme, sage) 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock 2 eggs 2 cups gravy (can make homemade, jarred version or from a packet)    Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Mist a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Sauté the vegetables. Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large non-stick sauté pan. Add the onion and sweet potato and sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potato is mostly softened.  Add green beans, garlic, celery and season the mixture with a few generous pinches of salt and pepper.  Sauté for 2-3 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is fragrant.    Transfer the cooked vegetables to a large mixing bowl. Add the bread, cooked turkey, dried cranberries and fresh herbs. In a separate bowl, whisk together the stock and eggs, then pour the mixture into the large mixing bowl.  Use a spatula to toss the mixture until it is evenly combined. Transfer it to the 9 x 13-inch baking dish and spread the casserole in an even layer.     Bake the casserole uncovered for 40-45 minutes, or until it is cooked through and the top is golden. While the casserole is in the oven, make the gravy from scratch or prepare store-bought version.     Once the casserole is done, remove the dish from the oven and garnish with a drizzle of gravy. Serve warm. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com .

On November 8, Bolton-Edwards Elementary/Middle School (BEEMS) invites parents to join their children for a morning of pastries and reading at the BEEMS library. From 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, families can enjoy muffins, cookies, and cinnamon rolls together while they browse the last day of the BEEMS Book Fair. It’s a wonderful chance to pick out new books, spend quality time, and enjoy a sweet treat with loved ones.