On September 8 at 3:00 PM, St. Mary’s invites everyone to a special Homecoming Blue Grass Mass. The service will feature lively music by the Bolton Blue Grass Band, blending the timeless tradition of bluegrass with the spirit of worship. Following the service, a reception will be held in the Terry Brantley Parish Hall, offering a wonderful opportunity for fellowship. Whether you're a longtime parishioner or a new visitor, this event promises a joyful afternoon of music, community, and celebration. Don't miss it!

By: Bob Garver             I was on vacation two weekends ago, so I missed the chance to review this movie when it nearly took down “Deadpool & Wolverine” for the #1 spot at the box office. Two weeks later, the film has dropped to #3, but it still outperformed everything that opened this past weekend, not to mention racking up an impressive $120 million domestic total. It is time to officially take a look at this movie, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to do so.             Blake Lively stars as Lily Bloom, a woman who loves flowers. Fortunately the movie is only this annoyingly on-the-nose this one time. She meets handsome neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni, also the film’s director) on the roof of her apartment building while he’s in a furious mood over a dead child. She’s put off by his violent anger, but supposes that anyone can lash out over something so horrific. He apologizes, and the two get to talking. He discloses that he’s not one for relationships. She discloses that she had a relationship with a homeless guy named Atlas as a teenager (she is played by Isabela Ferrer and Atlas by Alex Neustaedter in flashbacks). The conversation isn’t exactly what you’d call a Meet Cute, but it does make Ryle want to see more of Lily.             The two start steadily building a relationship. Lily opens a flower shop with the help of Ryle’s sister Alyssa (Jenny Slate). They go to the finest restaurants, including one owned by the now-successful Atlas (Brandon Sklenar). Ryle still has some anger issues involving his late brother, and she has some trust issues involving her parents, but it’s nothing their love and support can’t overcome. Then a kitchen incident leads to him hitting her in the face. An enraged Atlas attacks Ryle when he sees Lily’s bruised face, which gives all three characters pause and forces them to consider the role of violence in their lives.             Going into this movie, I knew that the subject matter dealt with domestic violence. I briefly wondered if it was only going to go as far as the kitchen incident and then the feud between the men would escalate from there. Was this movie really going to build its entire conflict around a hot oven repelling Ryle’s arm into Lily’s face? Sadly, the escalation does lead to violence that is not an accident, and not just involving the men. Lily is abused in at least one scene that is bound to go down as one of the most disturbing of the year. I saw this movie the same day as “Alien: Romulus,” and the violence here was much harder to watch than Xenomorphs bursting out of people’s bodies.             With all due respect to the rest of the cast and crew, the movie is nothing without Lively’s performance. Everything about Lily in the last third of this movie is heartbreaking, from her literal pain to helplessness to anger to even understanding. With the sympathy she inspires with her anguish and eventually strength, I can understand why this property has the following it does.             “It Ends with Us” is maybe not a great movie all-around. The courtship scenes drag on too long, flashbacks are too frequent and awkwardly inserted, and certain elements probably worked better in the Colleen Hoover novel than they do onscreen (example: Lily jokingly calling herself an “unreliable narrator” and then the movie taking a second look at a scene it pretends we misread but is clearly completely different the second time). But what does work is too affecting to dismiss. It’s accurate to call this movie a tearjerker, but thanks to Lively, those tears are well-earned.   Grade: B-   “It Ends with Us” is rated PG-13 for domestic violence, sexual content and some strong language. Its running time is 130 minutes.   Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu .

Wisdom from the lips of a wrinkled old worm.   “Okay, listen up, ‘cuz I’m gonna tell ya’ perzactly what The World is like.    Most of the time it looks real dark and kind’a dry ‘n crumbly feelin’. But when I tunnel straight up for a little ways, then I see a bunch’a green stalks at least twenty-six times bigger’n me. And there’s these enormous feet walking ‘round in them green stalks. All kinds of feet. Some with toes, some not. The ones with no toes have huge coverings on ‘em, guess they call ‘em ‘shoes.’   And another thing. There’s this ginormous bright yellow thang up there. ‘Causes me to get so bloomin’ hot that I can’t stand it. Can’t wait to turn around and dig back down to my home, where it’s heap cooler and darker.   But, fact is, nobody in This World ever notices I am around. Unless they’re diggin’ for sumthin’ they call fish bait. Then suddenly, I’m the center of their ‘tention! Yep, they start cuttin’ into my home, lookin’ for me and my neighbors. When they find us, they throw us into a can of that dark and crumbly stuff I done talked about, and put a lid on it. Scary stuff, I’m here to tell ya!    Naw, I ain’t gonna tell ya’ the rest of the story. Ain’t nobody needs to hear details ‘bout how they thread our body on sumthin’ really sharp. And then, while we’re jest trying to breathe, they suddenly fling us into what they call ‘water.’ There we dangle, awaitin’ on a HUGE-PLUMB-FEARSOME-LOOKIN’ thing called a fish to come at us with his mouth wide open!    Nope, ain’t gonna say a-nuther word. Ya’ don’t need to hear the rest…jest might ruin your supper tonight.”   Quite a contrast to Granddad and his ten-year-old grandson’s version of that same day:   “Hey, Johnny, it’s going to be a beautiful sunny day! How about you and I go down to the pond and go fishing? I’ll grab my shovel and a bucket, and we can dig up worms for bait before we get in the boat. Now, why don’t you go ask your grandma to fix us a picnic lunch. And then you and me are going to spend the rest of this morning drowning worms and fishing for that big old catfish that lives in my pond. I promise you, son, we are going to have a good time – just me and you, out on the water fishing together. And just maybe, we can get lucky and bring home supper for your grandma to cook!”   Different perspectives of the same day. Happens to all of us. And we need to remember that fact, on the days we come face to face with someone who has a completely opposite outlook on life than yourself.   It’s a sad fact. Sometimes we’re the one with the fishing rod, and sometimes we’re the worm.

By: Jeremy Pittari, Magnolia Tribune Mississippi’s Second Amendment Sales Tax holiday will be held this weekend, from Friday, August 30 to Sunday September 1. All purchases statewide of firearms, ammunition and selected hunting supplies will be tax free during the holiday. Applicable items include ammunition such as reloading supplies, shotgun shells, cartridges, pistols, rifles, shotguns, bows, crossbows, holsters, parts for firearms, holsters, and hearing protection, to name a few. Targets, sights and suppressors are also eligible. “This weekend, Mississippi will once again be honoring the right enshrined in our cherished Second Amendment,” Governor Tate Reeves (R) told Magnolia Tribune on Tuesday. “This sales tax holiday is a great opportunity to support local businesses, exercise our right to keep and bear arms, and remain steadfast in protecting this critical freedom all across our great state.” There is no limit on the purchase price to save on sales tax during this holiday. Know before you shop: rules of the sales tax holiday Qualifying items that need to be delivered to the purchaser, whether purchased online, via phone or in-person at a brick-and-mortar business, will remain tax exempt so long as the item is purchased during the holiday window and delivery of the item is not delayed due to an action on the part of the purchaser. If the purchase involves a bundle of items, the items that still qualify for sales tax during the holiday will have to be separated from the purchase and taxed at the appropriate rate. Layaway purchases made during the holiday do not qualify for tax exemption. Purchases  returned after the holiday can still apply for tax exemption  so long as the item is traded for a similar item, even if the new item is a different style or color, such as a holster. However, purchases traded in for a new/different item after the tax holiday will be subject to the appropriate taxes. “For example, a customer purchases a $300 firearm during the MSAW holiday. After the holiday, the customer returns the firearm, receives credit for the firearm, and then buys a $300 archery bow. Sales tax is due on the $300 price of the bow since the bow was not purchased during the holiday,” the Mississippi Department of Revenue’s sales tax holiday guideline document reads. Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann (R) said this is a great weekend to exercise your Second Amendment rights. Hosemann said the holiday helps Mississippians “get prepared for the upcoming hunting season (doves beware), and shop in a Mississippi small business for a new firearm.” “What a way to celebrate our freedoms and boost the economy!” Hosemann added speaking with Magnolia Tribune. Items that do not qualify for tax exemption include BB guns, air rifles, paintball guns and toy guns. Hunting supplies that do not qualify include ATVs, blinds, cameras, chairs, boots, knives, gun cabinets, trucks and tree stands. For a full listing of eligible and ineligible items,  click here .

ICYMI... Be there on September 3, 2024, as Bolton-Edwards Elementary Middle School unveils its new Football Stadium & Fieldhouse! Join us for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and stay to watch our first home football game. Let’s make history together! #GoRangers #BoltonEdwardsPride

By Kara Kimbrough    School has begun and for some, this means the end of summer adventures. However, vacation season is far from over for many and here’s an additional positive thought: decreased crowds create the perfect time for sight-seeing. In Mississippi, it’s hard to find a more magnificent site than the Mighty Mississippi River. One of the most commanding views of the river can be enjoyed from the 300-foot bluffs of the city of Vicksburg. Sweeping vistas of the rolling river aside, there’s so much else to see and do in this beautiful city rapidly approaching its 200th birthday.       Vicksburg has always been one of the favorite places to visit. It’s a love fostered by school field trips to the Vicksburg National Military Park. Ingrained in my memory are school bus rides up the rolling hills, once the battlefield for one of the longest and most notable Civil War battles. My appreciation of Vicksburg has increased in recent years through tours of the breathtakingly-beautiful Old Courthouse grounds and Museum, antebellum homes and historic downtown museums, shops and restaurants. No visit is complete without a stop by the Visitor’s Center along the breathtaking riverfront offering a birds-eye view of the two spectacular river bridges.      Back to the event that put Vicksburg on the map and cemented its permanent place in Civil War history. The 1863 Siege of Vicksburg may have occurred over 160 years ago, but its carefully-preserved remnants spread throughout the city continue to draw thousands of visitors annually from around the world.         The Vicksburg Campaign is considered one of the most decisive Civil War battles.  A 47-day battle in the city between Confederate and Union troops ultimately resulted in a surrender from the Southerners and as a result, permanent Northern control of the Mississippi.       Today, the 1,815-acre Vicksburg National Military Park commemorating the battle is comprised of a visitor’s center and USS Cairo Gunboat and Museum. Additionally, 22 designated areas along the park's scenic rolling acres contain beautiful, iconic monuments to soldiers on both sides of the battlefield. Visitors to this scenic section of the park can also drive or walk along the route on their own or schedule a guide for an informative tour.       Most notable is the Illinois monument honoring Union soldiers from the state who served and died as a result of the siege. The site of millions of photographs and quite a few marriage proposals, the monument is a grand and imposing structure of granite and marble modeled after the Roman Pantheon. Forty-seven steps lead up to the beautiful monument, one for each day of the siege. Inside, 60 unique bronze tablets line the interior walls, naming all 36,325 Illinois soldiers. Atop the memorial sits a majestic bronze bald eagle.      Visitors to Vicksburg can tour other museums offering additional insights into the city’s rich history. These include the Old Depot Museum’s historical exhibits on the Siege of Vicksburg and the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum’s exhibits on the soft drink that was first bottled in the city in 1894.      A can't-miss building is the Old Court House Museum in the heart of the city. The magnificent structure is more than a beautiful memorial to yesteryear, especially for those that know and appreciate history.      Confederate Generals Stephen D. Lee, John C. Breckinridge, and Earl Van Dorn watched from the Courthouse’s cupola as a Confederate battleship battled its way through the Union fleet to safety at Vicksburg. During the war, the building was the target of constant shelling from Union troops, but thankfully suffered only one major hit. And, it was at the Courthouse on July 4, 1863 that the Confederate flag was lowered and the U.S flag was raised as General Grant reviewed his victorious army.      Visitors who venture inside the Old Court House Museum find a plethora of exhibits that draw history buffs from around the world. This includes a large collection of Confederate memorabilia, antiques and portraits and tools used by Indians and early pioneers.       My favorite item in the Courthouse is the original teddy bear that President Theodore Roosevelt gave to a local child after a failed bear hunt in Mississippi. The bear is said to have inspired the name "Teddy Bear". The McCardle Research Library, which features more than 1,400 historical volumes, including cemetery records, business directories, marriage records and much more historical data, is also housed within and is managed by the museum.      There’s also an historic walking tour along the Vicksburg Heritage Walking Trail filled with 35 markers in the downtown and historic districts. Eleven perfectly-restored historic homes, including McRaven, built in 1797, are open for tours.       Vicksburg may be known for its Civil War history, but it was actually founded decades earlier in 1811 and incorporated as a town in 1825. In 2025, Vicksburg will celebrate its bicentennial through a variety of special events and activities to pay homage to 200 years of rich history. The bicentennial will honor individuals and organizations and spotlight its many roles and accomplishments over the past two centuries, ranging from its notable part in the Civil War to its preservation of historic sites.      The five major bicentennial events center around five themes: People, The River, Arts & Culture, Lifestyle and Government & Military. Kicking off the celebrations will be a week of events surrounding the actual anniversary on Jan. 29. 2025. Vicksburg will host a storytelling symposium, parade, banquet and other community events to commemorate the city’s incorporation in 1825. Other events scheduled throughout the year are a music and culture festival; fall family fair; Fourth of July extravaganza complete with fireworks and a commemorative New Year’s Eve celebration.       For more information about Vicksburg’s Bicentennial celebration or to plan a visit to the city, contact Visit Vicksburg at 1-800-221-3536 or check out their website at visitvicksburg.com .

By: Magnolia Mornings, Magnolia Tribune Congressman Bennie Thompson  (D-MS 2) announced Monday that 32 nonprofit organizations in Mississippi will receive $3.8 million through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Fiscal Year 2024 under the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). The program provides funding for physical security enhancements and other security-related activities for eligible nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship, that are at high risk of a terrorist attack. Fifteen of the nonprofit organizations are in Mississippi’s 2nd District: Beth Israel Congregation $123,884 Calvary Missionary Baptist Church $150,000 Galloway United Methodist Church $145,000 Greater Fairview Missionary Baptist Church Boling $150,000 Greater Fairview Newport $150,000 Greater Pine Hill $115,660 King Solomon Baptist Church $150,000 Mississippi Muslim Association Madison $135,500 MT Zion M.B. Church $108,262 Mississippi Muslim Association Jackson $149,550 New Heaven Grove M.B Church $150,000 Northside Baptist Church $139,558 Providence Presbyterian Church, Inc. $8,118 Saint Andrews Episcopal Cathedral $117,400 URJ Henry S. Jacobs Camp $150,000

By: Bob Garver “Alien: Romulus” started out at a disadvantage with me because I haven’t liked any of the “Alien” films that came before it. I’m not just talking about the heavily-maligned third and fourth installments from the 90’s, the “Predator” crossovers from the 2000’s, or the uneven Michael Fassbender arc of the 2010’s. I mean that even the “classic” original from 1979 and beloved first sequel from 1986 have never done it for me. I find them to be little more than glorified haunted house movies with one cool creature design and some extra squishy special effects. That isn’t to say that I think they’re terrible, exactly, just not worthy of their pedestals in popular culture. Now “Alien: Romulus” is a movie that I do think is terrible, exactly. The movie follows new heroine Rain (Cailee Spaeny) and her glitchy android “brother” Andy (David Jonsson) as they try to escape a miserable mining planet owned by the Weyland-Yutani Corporation. They get an invite from her friend Tyler (Archie Renaux) to join him on an unsanctioned mission to a floating research station that contains stasis chambers and is set to arrive at a desirable planet in nine years. Also along are Tyler’s pregnant sister Kara (Isabela Merced), his cousin Bjorn (Spike Fearn), and Bjorn’s girlfriend Navarro (Aileen Wu). Of course, things don’t quite go to plan. There isn’t enough fuel to run the stasis chambers, so the team has to look all over the ship for more. Another little snag, as you can probably imagine, is that the ship took an alien known as a Xenomorph onboard and now the ship is infested with everything from big, cumbersome, deadly aliens to smaller, more nimble, but still very deadly aliens. Also, the aliens have acidic bodily fluids that are capable of tearing through the ship itself, not to mention any unfortunate humans. Also, the station is owned by Weyland-Yutani, a company that never misses a chance to endanger humans for its own bottom line – and it wants that precious alien DNA. All of this is explained by the ship’s android science officer, and let’s just say that one of Weyland-Yutani’s cost-cutting measures is recycling android designs. Since the characters aren’t interesting and the action isn’t exciting, I whiled away the time waiting for cast members to get killed off. There’s a big billboard in Times Square depicting Navarro getting attacked by a face-hugging Xenomorph, she’s a goner for sure. Bjorn is rude to everybody, he’s no doubt toast. Tyler is bland even for this movie, he has “killed off somewhere in the middle” written all over him. Kara exists solely so her pregnancy can be exploited for body horror. This franchise’s affinity for heroines takes away a lot of the suspense from Rain, though Cailee Spaeny is no Sigourney Weaver. The only character whose life or death I couldn’t predict with 99% certainty was Andy, and he arguably doesn’t even have a “life” in the first place. Walt Disney World used to have an attraction called “Alien Encounter,” unrelated to the “Alien” franchise, but certainly reminiscent of it. Guests would sit strapped in a seat and be “terrorized” by an alien animatronic in the form of wind, water, and sound effects in a darkened room. Disney got complaints that the attraction wasn’t child-friendly, so they made the lighting dim instead of dark, scaled down the intensity, and generally made the whole thing less appealing to thrill-seekers. “Alien: Romulus” reminds me of a later version of that ride. While not devoid of violence by any means, the film can’t properly pull off a thrilling or scary atmosphere to save its life. Nor does it have the dramatic or comedic chops to be an interesting movie on any other level. That was what saved the first two “Alien” movies from being terrible, the human characters were likeable, even if I didn’t like their chances of survival. I think I liked this film’s five human characters less than Paul Reiser’s intentionally-detestable corporate sellout in “Aliens.”   Grade: D   “Alien: Romulus” is rated R for bloody violent content and language. Its running time is 119 minutes.   Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu .

The six-year-old insisted he go with Mom to see Aunt Jeanie. Never having visited a rehab facility before, he was quite excited with the prospect of seeing ‘Aunt J’s new home.’ He had heard his mom talking on the phone about the room where his aunt played with balls and colored blocks and got to ride on a special bicycle. That sounded right down his alley, and he couldn’t wait. When Jaime and Mom opened the door to Aunt J’s room, of course there were no colorful plastic balls being tossed about. No gaily colored bicycle leaning up against the wall, waiting for him. There was only a pale version of his favorite aunt, lying in a bed, attempting to obediently raise her leg with the help of a therapist. When Jeanie spotted little Jaime framed in the doorway, she immediately threw on a fake smile and waved him over to her bedside for the heartiest hug she could muster at the time. Granted, not much more than a weak squeeze to his shoulders, but she tried for his sake. After suffering through physical therapy and then listening to her nephew’s enthusiastic answers to questions about his friends and his favorite teacher at school, the dear lady was exhausted and quietly closed her eyes for just awhile. Mom quietly prodded Jaime to leave with her and let Aunt J rest. But instead, Jamie shook his head and with tears in his eyes he told his mom, “Huh-uh, Mom, not yet. Aunt J don’t feel very good. I need to be here, ‘cuz nobody needs to be sick by themself.” Compassion. Some of us are just simply born with an abundance of that wonderful trait. And some of us are born with other great ones, but not that one. And yet, the Bible speaks of our Creator wanting us to love and care for each other just like we love ourselves. So, if we are not blessed with compassion and empathy from birth, how do we learn it? Experience is one of the best teachers in this world. A woman who has just had her own baby has a lot more empathy for the pain of the new mom-to-be on her way to the delivery room. An older man who has recently buried his beloved wife understands the heartache of the young husband who stares blankly at the world after losing his young wife and baby in a car accident. Compassion and empathy are hard-won gifts for most of us. They are the result of life slamming us up against the wall and us limping away with a lot more heart-knowledge than before. But even though we hate that learning experience, if we allow it, that pain can cause a big growth spurt in us. Life is hard. But it teaches us to care for each other.

By: Kara Kimbrough It’s always a sad day when a longtime restaurant closes, especially one that gave us a genuinely good menu item that became part of American culture. Such was the case with seafood chain Red Lobster. It’s now-famous Cheddar Bay Biscuits were placed on the table prior to every meal for decades. They were so good that copycat recipes began popping up everywhere. A frozen facsimile and dry mix, neither of which met my high biscuit standards, soon followed.     Despite the closure of its Jackson location a few years ago and most recently, restaurant in D’Iberville and Hattiesburg, the recipe for the famous biscuits is still around and even better, has been perfected to the point that in some cases, better biscuits than the ones made famous by Red Lobster can be baked at home.    I was happy to find a copycat recipe for Bennigan’s famous Monte Crisco Sandwich as well as it’s club sandwich. Bennigan’s was one of my top go-to restaurants when I moved to Jackson in the 1980’s. Its location on Interstate 55 N. was a convenient place to meet friends and enjoy a meal. A creative of habit, I usually selected one of the two sandwiches.    Today, cookbooks and online sites contain a large selection of copycat restaurant recipes, including several from TGI Friday’s, another favorite Jackson restaurant that closed years ago. There’s still a Gulfport location, but since it’s not convenient to drop by often, I was happy to locate copycat recipes for the chain’s burgers, pasta and loaded potato skins. Email me if you’d like any of these recipes or others from your favorite restaurant.    Here are two favorite copycat recipes that I can attest are as good (or better) as the menu item served at its namesake restaurant. Try this recipe for Red Loster’s Cheddar Bay Biscuits and you’ll agree it’s better than the restaurant’s version. Thankfully, Cracker Barrel is still found throughout the state, but this recipe for their famous chicken and dumplings will tide you over until you’re able to visit. Better Than the Restaurant’s Cheddar Bay Biscuits 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder 2 teaspoons garlic powder ½ teaspoon kosher salt 1 cup buttermilk ½ cup unsalted butter, melted 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese For the topping: 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves ½ teaspoon garlic powder Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat; set aside. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, garlic powder, salt and cayenne pepper, if using.      In a large glass measuring cup or another bowl, whisk together buttermilk and butter. Pour mixture over dry ingredients and stir using a rubber spatula just until moist. Gently fold in cheese. Working on a lightly floured surface, knead the dough 3-4 times until it comes together. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough into a 1 1/4-inch-thick rectangle. Cut out 10-12 rounds using a 2 1/2-inch biscuit or cookie cutter. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown. Topping: Whisk together butter, parsley and garlic powder in a small bowl. Brush the tops of the biscuits with butter mixture. Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth 2 cups water 1/2 teaspoon onion powder Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound) 2 cups, plus 1 tablespoon. all-purpose flour, divided 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 cup shortening 3/4 cup cold buttermilk      In a large pot, combine broth, water, onion powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and a pinch of pepper. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add chicken, reduce heat to medium-low, and cover pot. Simmer until chicken is just cooked through, 12 to 15 minutes. Using tongs or a slotted spoon, transfer chicken breasts to a plate. Let cool.      While chicken cooks, make dumplings. In a medium bowl, whisk 2 cups flour, baking powder, and 1 teaspoon salt. Add shortening, using fingers to work shortening into flour until it is in tiny pieces. Pour buttermilk into flour-shortening mixture and stir until a crumbly dough forms. Dump dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead about 15 times, until a ball forms.      Using a rolling pin, roll dough until it is ¼” thick, then cut into roughly 2” squares. Dust surface of cut dumplings lightly with remaining 1 tablespoon flour.      After removing chicken from pot, increase heat to high and bring broth to a boil. Add dumplings one at a time, and let boil for 5 minutes. Reduce heat so liquid simmers and partially cover pot, leaving a small crack open on one side. Cook, stirring occasionally, until dumplings are tender and cooked through and broth is thickened to gravy consistency, about 20 minutes. Shred cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. When dumplings are cooked, stir chicken into pot and cook until chicken is heated through, about 1 minute more. Season with more salt, if desired, sprinkle with black pepper, and serve. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com .

On August 22 at 5:30 PM, Bolton-Edwards Elementary/Middle School will host its Back to School and "Meet the Rangers" event at the Bolton Edwards Gym. Families are invited to meet Principal Mrs. LaShurn Williams and Assistant Principal Dr. Clancy Freeman. This event is a great way to get to know the school's leadership and prepare for an exciting new school year.

The funeral for Evan’s brother-in-law had concluded two hours ago. And now a small group of grieving family and friends were gathered in Evan and Shaylie’s home to share memories, laughter, tears, and encouragement.   The front door opened again. Nothing unusual about that, people had been arriving every few minutes. But this guest was different, those nearby immediately noticed her and turned to watch her entrance. Which then attracted the attention of everyone else.   As she hesitantly stepped through the door, her slight body moved with a slow awkward gait. Her tense shoulders rounded forward as if to protect her from painful blows. Both hands clutched the small handbag she held in front of her as she moved only a few tentative steps forward, then dwindled to a stop. As the host, Evan came forward to greet her. He reached out his hand, introduced himself, and welcomed her into his home. He didn’t recognize her, but he assumed she was a friend of someone in the family.   The anguished eyes that met his were darkened with an inner turmoil as she quietly spoke to him. Something was very obviously troubling her, and he assumed the cause to be the sudden death of his brother-in-law. So he quickly turned to search through the guests to locate his wife. Hoping that kind lady would come to his rescue.   Just like everyone else in the living room, Shaylie had already spotted the lady as soon as Kathey stepped through the door. So it didn’t take long to reach her husband’s side. Shaylie put her arm around tense shoulders and spoke softly into Kathey’s ear. Because they attended the same ladies church group, she was well acquainted with her friend’s story. She didn’t have to assume or guess the reason for Kathey’s tenseness. The endless rounds of doctor visits. The sleeplessness. The never-ending pain in Kathey’s body which doctors had yet been able to source. Hugging her friend, Shaylie softly thanked her for coming to express her sympathy.   Then she made her mistake. She gently asked Kathey how she was feeling today.   Slowly looking around the crowded room, Kathey saw so many people who attended her own church. People who had never bothered to ask her how she was feeling. The sight of so many gathered together to console Shaylie’s family suddenly brought on an attack of well-fitted, self-centered horse-blinders. Shaylie’s sadness and grief were forgotten. All Kathey could see was her own lonely five-year battle with misery.   And then, the dam broke. The result of feeling isolated for years with her pain suddenly erupted from a mouth that had seemingly lost all control of itself. Resentment and jealousy coated her tongue and spewed its filth over everyone there, before she turned and rushed out the door.   Never realizing the harm she had just inflicted on Shaylie’s family and her own reputation.   Speak up, before you finally explode and cause damage.