A Christian school’s relocation from Jackson to the Morrison Heights Mission Campus in Clinton opens new horizons, as Providence Christian Academy (formerly Kaleidoscope Heights) finds a more suitable space and fills a niche in the community’s education choices, school and church leaders say. The academy, accredited by the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools, is one of the few Christian schools in the state that primarily serves children with special learning needs. The move folds the private nonprofit K-12 Christian academy into a family-oriented neighborhood setting — a vast improvement over its current office building surroundings, which offer little access to outdoor recreation, Head of School Becky DeWett said. The move also represents another key community mission for Morrison Heights Baptist Church, whose former campus in Clinton’s Easthaven subdivision is now the meeting base for three churches, and home to a day care facility and a food pantry. “We see it as a mission opportunity to our community, and also to the school,” said Morrison Heights Associate Pastor of Missions Tim Rowan. The school will partner with the Hispanic church, Iglecia HIspana de Clinton, in one building’s use, and occupy other areas exclusively. “I think it’s going to be transformational,” academy teacher Tabatha Tucker said of the move. She praised the uplifting, supportive environment the school provides for students, including her own son and daughter. “It opens up a way for every student to get an education they deserve, in a Christian environment that helps encourage them, and strengthens their faith.” The academy was founded as Kaleidoscope Heights three years ago, in the wake of the state welfare scandal that embroiled New Summit School owners and led to their school’s closure. Kaleidoscope Heights formed to fill the educational void for children with learning disabilities. The newly named Providence Christian Academy continues to serve a diverse range of students with specialized learning needs — children with dyslexia or anxiety and those on the autism spectrum, for instance — who can benefit from the school’s smaller class sizes and more individualized instruction. Its Christian founding principles emphasize the full embrace of its mission. “We are all created in the image of God and God does not make mistakes,” said DeWett, a Clinton native who served as a missionary based in Ukraine for nearly 30 years and returned home when war broke out. She has been with the school for two of its three years in existence. “We try to help our students understand that they may have a difficulty to overcome, but they’re still image bearers of Christ. … We don’t just teach the minds. We teach the hearts, the minds and the souls. We believe in the well-rounded student, in every aspect.” The school’s name change honors the providence of God. “We’re guided by divine care, prudent preparation, community belonging,” DeWett said, echoing the school’s purpose as a place “where faith meets wisdom.” Providing options to meet individual learning needs, along with opportunities to earn a degree or complete a track toward possible employment, is a real ministry to families searching for the appropriate education for their children, Rowan said. “And, it’s a great opportunity to get to know these families and invite them into our church, to be able to meet other needs that they may have as well.” The new location’s more affordable rent offers another bright outlook. “We’re going to be able to invest in some more state-of-the-art training and state-of-the-art equipment — things that our kids are going to need in the long run.” DeWett said. The academy has 54 students and 15 staff members now, with the goal for a student body of 65 next fall. “In time, maybe next year, we’ll have more space and can expand more,” DeWett said. Class sizes never exceed 12 students. “We adapt and make allowances for different students. We meet them where they are, and take them beyond.” The school will begin its move to Clinton as early as late May, and start classes there in mid-August. Fall enrollment is now open. The 7th through 12th grades classes are near capacity with limited openings, with greater availability in the elementary levels, DeWett said. Call 769-233-8813 or email providenceacademyclinton@gmail.com for more information. The school welcomes partnerships, sponsorships and donations from local businesses, particularly for scholarships. “We have many students that are far below the poverty line, that struggle to pay our tuition, which is not exorbitant,” DeWett said. “We have parents that have three and four jobs, because they believe that their child needs to be here. We would love to look at them and say, ‘Look, we’ve covered half of your tuition, give up two of those jobs and be with your child.’ … We want to minister to the family, and the child. “The Clinton community needs to know that we’re there and we’re ready to help families and students to prosper.”

Come out to Bolton and help to celebrate the 11th annual Jimmy Ray Lewis, Sr. Walk-A-Thon. This event will be held on July 13, 2024 from 6:45 AM - 9:00 AM. This will be held at the Jimmy Ray Lewis Sr. Park Plaza in Bolton. There will be refreshments, health awareness presentations and free blood pressure screenings. The sponsors for this event are the Class of 1975 Hinds A.H.S./Utica, MS and Westhaven Memorial Funeral Home Inc.

The High Horse: Bite & Beverage Barn of Bolton proudly presents an unforgettable evening with Eddie Jr., Bolton's own Grammy-nominated musical icon. This special benefit concert series titled "Eddie Jr., Welcome Home" is scheduled for Wednesday, July 3, starting at 6 PM, on the eve of Independence Day. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Downtown Bolton at 250 Bolton-Raymond Road, Bolton, MS, 39041, this event promises an intimate concert experience as they celebrate one of their most illustrious talents returning to his roots. Eddie Jr. will grace them with his exceptional musical prowess, delivering performances that weave together the rich tapestry of their local culture and his acclaimed career highlights. The concert is designed not only as a showcase of extraordinary talent but also as a pivotal fundraising initiative for The High Horse: Bite & Beverage Barn. As a cornerstone of community and culture in Western Hinds County, The High Horse aims to utilize this event to foster cultural enrichment and economic vitality in the region. “We are thrilled to welcome Eddie Jr. back to Bolton and to host this significant event,” says Dyamone L. White, Founder of The High Horse. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for the community to come together in support of the arts and our ongoing efforts to revitalize this beautiful part of Mississippi.” Please note that tickets will not be sold prior to the event. Attendees can pay $20 at the door on the day of the event to gain entry. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a historic night in Bolton—come celebrate, enjoy, and support a great cause. For further information, or to schedule interviews with Eddie Jr. or event organizers, please contact: Dyamone L. White Owner and Operator The High Horse: Bite & Beverage Barn of Bolton Phone: 601-473-5113 Email: dyamone@highhorsebolton.com

Those who attended Bolton Consolidated School, from its early days up until its closure in 1970, are invited to a full school reunion this fall. The reunion will be held at the Beulah Baptist Church in Brownsville on Saturday, September 14, 2024. Former students are encouraged to attend and meet with others who also went to school at the facility. Former students are asked to pass the information about the reunion along to others, because the planning group does not have everyone's address to notify them of the event. The group says last year's reunion was a success, and that they hope to have even more people this year. In order to help the organizers prepare enough food for the event, those who plan to attend are asked to RSVP to Linda Cumberland at LCumberland51@icloud.com or to Nell Yarbrough at yarbor_n@bellsouth.net or 601-857-2912.

Losing is not for the faint-hearted. It takes its toll on your mind, your emotions, and your body, no doubt about it. It literally takes a champion at heart to lose, because you have to have a lot of courage to face the battering of your self-esteem. And your finances. And your heart. If you’re currently in the middle of losing, or have ever been the loser, I have a few things to say to you. First of all, don’t feel like the Lone Ranger on a dead horse in the desert. You are not the only one stranded in that hot dry sand right now, and there are millions who have already stood where you stand. And millions more who will. The stark fact is that we all face loss at one time or another. You probably won’t appreciate this next statement, if you are in the middle of your loss right now. But here it is. Your loss is not the most important fact, no matter how lousy it is making you feel about your life. What is a more important fact that you know? You will survive! And you will actually gain from that loss! Because it will teach you that you have courage, the gravel in your gut, to take such a knockout blow and still be alive in spite of it all. Realizing that you are courageous and a survivor is vital. Life doesn’t play fair, and for you to know that “I survived disaster once, so I know I can do it again,” is a self-knowledge that will serve you well the next time Life decides to try to kick in your teeth. You will hurt, yes, but you will also know that pain doesn’t have to kill you. Eventually you will be able to pick yourself up, and start over. The word that describes that, folks? Courage. And that very same courage that it takes to fail and begin again is part of our DNA as American citizens. Untold losses and failures happened in the lives of our courageous fore-fathers who built this country, one pain-filled step at a time. They survived, and so can we. They eventually thrived and built a great nation. And so can we. If we stay true to what our forefathers taught us - to just keep working, trusting, and surviving the pain of loss. And that leads to the last thing. Remember, the Creator is on your side. But He has a plan for your life, and it includes winning and also losing at times. Winning feels great, but losing builds courage and character. That’s undoubtedly why He planned each life with wins and losses built into it. He never wants us to stay like toddlers, who don’t have the ability to mature and withstand heartache. Our Creator wants us to grow strong and courageous. Scary stuff, so develop the courage to lose.

By Kara Kimbrough I've always loved the Mississippi Gulf Coast for its unending natural beauty stretching as far as the eye can see…among hundreds of other attributes, of course. But there's a feature remains one of the primary reasons I visit as often as possible. It’s the fact that just when I think I’ve seen and explored everything, something different and amazing appears that proves to be a fitting addition to my "favorites list." A recent trip yielded three new finds I’m happy to pass on. First, checking into the stately white-pillared Hotel Pass Christian shaded by leafy oaks feels like stepping into a bygone era, albeit one with modern amenities. When it comes to location, it’s hard to beat a view of the Pass Christian beach, which I’ve always considered one of the most scenic. The picturesque hotel has the good fortune of being situated within walking distance to the beach, restaurants and shops. A lazy bicycle ride to the coffee shop in the morning is also doable; now that it occurs to me, I’m sad I didn’t think of it during my visit. Besides it’s location, Hotel Pass Christian has much more to offer. The spacious 10-bedroom boutique hotel is quiet, private and here’s one of the best parts: features open-air balconies equipped with ceiling fans and comfortable seating when decompression time is needed. Despite forgetting the bike ride, enjoyed both morning and evening quiet time on the balcony enveloped by cool water breezes as the sun rose and later set on the horizon. I didn’t quite make the sunrise, but an early morning coffee on the balcony provided an equally memorable experience. A self check-in suite on the third room afforded optimal views and included a spacious, well-appointed living room (also with a balcony) included a modern wet bar area complete with a refrigerator. A comfortable bedroom leading out to the balcony provided everything needed for a soothing night’s sleep. The adjoining bath offered a walk-in shower, separate tub and vanity area and quickly eradicated past negative hotel experiences involving tiny, cramped spaces. Besides the view, ambience, convenience, location, cleanliness and comfort served up by this unique destination, one of the most surprising aspects of my stay was peace and quiet and for lack of a better description, “hustle and bustle” found at even the most elite full-service hotels. To say that a stay at this hotel is laidback and relaxing is almost under a dire understatement. There’s no crowd, no rushing to and from and despite its close proximity to a busy restaurant and nearby highway, there is simply no noise to speak of. In fact, the quiet was almost deafening as I drifted off to sleep in the large, comfortable guest bed. If spa services are desired, an on-site area offering a variety of treatments can be reserved prior to your stay. While it resembled the photos I’d seen, Hotel Pass Christian surpassed my expectations and, here’s the best part, turned out to be one of those “things I never knew about but now love” about the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Two more places deserve a mention on the list. Although they’re located in the same building in Waveland, they’re distinct and wonderful in their own way. Located in Waveland, Ground Zero Hurricane Museum is housed in a historic building that formerly served as a school and civic center. Like my old high school built in a bygone era, the beautiful brick building contains castle-like features, including distinct merions along the top. Sadly, the sturdy brick structure was the only building left standing on Waveland’s primary street after Hurricane Katrina decimated the town in 2005. In honor of its historical significance and the resilience of both residents and the building, the structure was restored to its original beauty and today serves as a memorial of the disaster that changed the Gulf Coast forever. The small museum located throughout the old school halls and classrooms features permanent and temporary exhibitions with interactive displays and most interesting to me, a diverse collection of memorabilia from the entire Gulf Coast, including framed artifacts, newspapers and photos. After exploring the museum, stop by the in-house bakery and small restaurant for a delicious meal topped by highly-acclaimed desserts and pastries. Sugar Pop Baking Co. and its owner Renee Loranger gained national recognition after she won Food Network’s Halloween Baking Competition. Open 7 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sugar Pop offers a limited, rotating food and beverage menu that usually includes two lunch specials with options like a smash burger and gourmet sandwiches. The day my friends and I visited, we were lucky enough to find the gigantic smashburger on the lunch menu. Despite the name, this juicy, flavorful burger made with a homemade Brioche bun, special burger sauce and a variety of chopped vegetables was anything but “smashed.” In fact, it was so gargantuan we ended up using a knife and fork…again, a new Coast experience! After lunch, a stop by the bakery cases yielded delicious and creative cakes, cupcakes, pastries and other delicacies that can be enjoyed in the cozy dining area or boxed up for the trip home. Speaking of pastries, I’ve written about my regret for not trying the funnel cakes at Silver Slipper’s Jubilee Buffet located nearby in Bay St. Louis. I can now say I’ve sampled them and they’re much more delicious than anything I remember eating as a child at the State Fair. If you haven’t visited the Gulf Coast recently, this summer is the perfect time to go. If it includes one or all of the experiences I enjoyed, you’ll easily a memorable trip. Feel free to email me if you’d like more information on any of them, including the fabulous Hotel Pass Christian. If You Go: Hotel Pass Christian 116 W. Scenic Drive, Pass Christian, MS 39571 Phone: 228-222-2062 For reservations: www.hotelpasschristian.com Ground Zero Hurricane Museum and Sugar Pop Baking Co. 335 Coleman Ave., Waveland, MS 39576 For information or hours of operation: Museum: 228-467-9012 www.wavelandgroundzero.com Sugar Pop: 228-467-9990 www.sugarpopbakingco.com Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco.com. Sugar Pop Baking Co. serves up delicious lunches and pastries in an historic setting. (Photos courtesy of Sugar Pop Baking Co.)

By me The State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) encourages firework safety this Independence Day. The SFMO performs pyrotechnic inspections for shows that are performed on state owned properties. Pyrotechnics companies must apply for a permit for shows.  Once received, the SFMO verifies all information pertaining to insurance, technicians, and local public safety information. Deputies must be on site for the firing of the display and clean up. “It’s up to you to implement your own safety standards when shooting fireworks at home,” said State Fire Marshal Mike Chaney. “That means using common sense, never pointing fireworks at another person, and disposing of fireworks in water to prevent fire.” According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 9,700 people were treated for firework injuries at ERs in 2023. There were eight deaths. There were an estimated 800 emergency department-treated injuries associated with firecrackers and 700 with sparklers. To avoid injury, the Mississippi State Fire Marshal suggests you follow these safety tips: •        Observe local laws. o   Those wishing to purchase and use fireworks should first check with their fire protection officials to make sure that local laws are being followed. o   Some municipalities prohibit fireworks from being used within city limits. •        Use common sense: always read and follow the directions on each firework. •        Never point or throw fireworks at another person. •        Buy from reliable fireworks sellers. Store them in a cool, dry place. •        Always have an adult present when shooting fireworks. •        Put used fireworks in a bucket of water and have a hose ready. •        Only use fireworks outdoors, away from homes, dry grass, and trees. •        Light only one item at a time and keep a safe distance. •        Never experiment or attempt to make your own fireworks. •        Never re-ignite malfunctioning fireworks. •        Never give fireworks to small children. •        Never carry fireworks in your pocket. •        Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and FEMA have opened a Disaster Recovery Center in Madison County to help survivors affected by the April 8-11, 2024, severe storms, tornadoes and flooding. Specialists from FEMA, the State of Mississippi and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be at the center to help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance, check the status of their application, answer questions and provide referrals to resources. The center is located at: Karl M. Banks Emergency Services Complex (look for the FEMA and MEMA signage) 1633 West Peace St. Canton, MS 39046 Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The center is closed on Sunday. In addition, the following recovery centers are already open: Hinds County Smith-Wills Stadium parking lot (look for the FEMA and MEMA signage) 1200 Cool Papa Bell Drive Jackson, MS 39216 Hinds County Cleon McKnight Tennis Center parking lot at Hinds Community College (look for the FEMA and MEMA signage) 605 Hinds Blvd. Raymond, MS 39154 This center will close permanently at 6 p.m. on June 25, 2024, but will relocate to serve another location in Hinds County. Humphreys County Humphreys County Multipurpose Building (look for the FEMA and MEMA signage across the street from Willard Jack Trucking) 417 Silver City Road Belzoni, MS 39038 Neshoba County Dixon Volunteer Fire Department (look for the FEMA and MEMA signage) 14800 Highway 21 South Philadelphia, MS 39350 Scott County The Usry Voting Precinct, District 2 Building (look for the FEMA and MEMA signage) 5335 Old Highway 80 Forest, MS 39074 To find the location of all open centers, visit fema.gov/drc To apply for assistance, you must bring the following: • Social Security Number • Insurance Information • Damage Information • Financial Information • Contact Information • Direct Deposit Information MEMA is working with federal and local partners to open more Disaster Recovery Centers in other disaster-declared counties across the state. It is not necessary to visit a center to apply for assistance. Survivors can apply for FEMA assistance by going online to DisasterAssistance.gov, downloading the FEMA mobile app or calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. For the latest information on recovery from the April tornadoes, visit msema.org and www.fema.gov/disaster/4790. On X/Twitter follow MEMA @MSEMA and FEMA Region 4 @femaregion4.

By Bob Garver Back in 2015, Disney and Pixar introduced us to 11-year-old Riley and the squabbling emotions inside her prepubescent head. To make a long story short, Joy (Amy Poehler) tried to retain dominance over the girl, but Sadness (Phyllis Smith) kept creeping her way in. The struggle led to both emotions getting kicked out of Riley’s conscience. Following an adventure through the girl’s psyche, both emotions made their way back and Joy realized that she had to share Riley with other emotions, even unpleasant ones, in order for her to get the most out of life. In this new movie, Riley’s five core emotions want to retain dominance over the girl, but new emotions creep their way in. This leads to a struggle where the old emotions get kicked out of Riley’s conscience. They’ll have to go on an adventure through the girl’s psyche to make their way back and hopefully obliterate the new emotions. Or maybe they’ll learn to share and the message will be exactly the same as in the first movie. For the record, I wasn’t a big fan of the first movie. Don’t get me wrong, I thought it was okay, and it kept the streak of at-least-passable Pixar alive until “Lightyear” two years ago. But setting up this elaborate world of personified emotions led to countless questions that the movie wasn’t prepared to answer, and without answering those questions, it didn’t make sense. Sometimes the nonsense played to its advantage, like a deus ex machina toward the end involving stackable crushes. Other times it hurt the movie, like leaving me wondering if these characters even had lives that were at stake, and what might happen to Riley if those lives were lost. The new movie raises more new questions than it answers, but this time I’m a little more comfortable knowing that the movie is prepared to answer some questions and not others. For the new movie, Riley (Kensington Tallman) is going to hockey camp with her best friends Grace (Grace Lu) and Bree (Sumayyah Nuriddin-Green). Joy is looking forward to guiding her, along with core emotions Sadness, Anger (Lewis Black), Disgust (Liza Lapira), and Fear (Tony Hale). But Riley hits puberty the night before the camp, ushering in new emotions Anxiety (Maya Hawke), Envy (Ayo Edebiri), Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser), and Ennui (Adele Exarchopoulos). Anxiety proves useful in a few social situations, but clashes with Joy when the latter wants Riley to stay loyal to her old friends, as opposed to endearing herself to the more popular Val (Lilimar). The new emotions banish the old emotions to the back of Riley’s mind until she can be completely reworked. My problem with the movie, other than that the story progression is pretty much the same as the first movie, is once again at the literal level. I can understand a kid with conflicting emotions, but what happens when a kid is missing five of them, as is the case here? If Riley is being controlled by the four new emotions, what’s making her competent at hockey? And why do the filmmakers think that Anxiety doesn’t manifest until puberty? What are young kids famous for saying on car trips? “Arewethereyet? Arewethereyet?” That’s Anxiety, guys. Of course, just as the “Inside Out” movies teach audiences to take the bad with the good, I must remember to take the good with the bad. And there is a lot of good here. The animation is as colorful and delightful as ever, the emotional moments had me feeling for the characters, and the humor consistently hits. My favorite gags involve cartoon characters stuck in the back of Riley’s mind. Video game character Lance (Yong Yea) is another helpful crush of Riley’s, Pouchy (James Austin Johnson) is a little too happy to provide explosives, and Bloofy (Ron Funches) is a fourth-wall breaker with no fourth wall to break (you can practically hear the Disney writers saying, “Take that, Nickelodeon!”). These characters, more than the emotions, were the highlight of this passable Pixar affair. Grade: B- “Inside Out 2” is rated PG for some thematic elements. Its running time is 96 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

Don’t kid yourself. You ain’t ever gonna be that strong, that good, or that important! To anyone in your world. No matter how hard you try, or how great you believe that you are. In fact, that attitude can cause you to wear yourself out trying to be the Grand Man In The Cape. And at the same, you just might be coming across as the pompous know-it-all who- thinks-he-can-do-it-all to those around you. Superheroes are just….not. Sure, in the comic strips they can have it all, be it all, while they are doing it all. But I’m pretty sure none of you have ever seen a comic book that was based on your own fantastic looks, your unbelievable strength, and your x-ray repelling body. To say nothing of your genius mind, your amazing capacity for empathy, and your problem-solving abilities. Face it. It’s not worth it. Stop trying to be everything to everyone, in every situation. Take a step back for a while to figure out who you really are. What skills and talents you possess. What areas of life truly interest you. Then break away from the stuff that feels like prison to you. Work? You can change career-direction. Sure, it may mean more education thru night classes, and even a step sideways in finances. But totally worth it. Committee memberships? Bow out gracefully and quickly. Too many church duties? No sane pastor alive would refuse to understand when you explain your predicament. Social obligations? Don’t even get it a second thought of regret when you apologetically remove yourself from the calendar. As I am writing this, the only things that I can think that should hold you with absolutely unbending bands of commitments are your family and your Creator. My point is this. Find you. Then start a rework, tailored to who you really are and what you want to do. Don’t be the person who wakes up one morning and realizes that according to average life span records, you are about ten years from not being around. And what you’ve actually wanted from life is still a tiny speck in the distance. Sure, you did a lot of good stuff. Praiseworthy stuff. Superman stuff. But was it really what God put you here on earth to do? Or were you simply doing what you felt needed to be done? Like I used to tell frustrated and hurting counselees when I was licensed to work in that capacity. “If you keep doing ‘so-n-so,’ simply because it needs to be done, then no one else has to step up and do it. Yes, you’re doing it, and probably doing it very well. But if that is not your calling, just a responsibility you have taken upon yourself, then you may be standing in the way of someone else who needs that work.” Don’t wait too long, Superman or Superwoman. There will come a time when it’s too late.

By me Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson announced the 165th Mississippi State Fair will be held Thursday, October 3, through Sunday, October 13, at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds in Jackson. For the first time ever, fairgoers can purchase their tickets online ahead of the 2024 State Fair. “We are excited to announce that tickets to the Mississippi State Fair can be purchased online for the first time in our state’s history,” said Commissioner Gipson. “Families and individuals can now buy their tickets ahead of October for a discounted price, and from the convenience of any laptop or smart device. This year’s State Fair will include several nationally recognized artists and all-new attractions, in addition to all our fairgoers’ favorite rides, events and foods. So I encourage everyone to buy their tickets now and join us for the 165th Mississippi State Fair this fall!” Visitors to the annual Mississippi State Fair can purchase general admission tickets and fair ride wristbands online for the first time in the fair’s history. Pre-sale tickets are available now through October 2 at www.msstatefair.com for $8 per person. Online tickets purchased after October 2, as well as tickets purchased at the gates, will be $10 per person. View a tutorial video on how to easily purchase tickets at https://youtu.be/GGaW6s9JDi8. Commissioner Gipson also announced the headliners for the 2024 Mississippi State Fair as follows: Oak Ridge Boys – Saturday, October 5 Matthew West – Sunday, October 6 Ronnie McDowell – Wednesday, October 9 (Senior American Day) Dru Hill – Friday, October 11 Additional details regarding concerts and special attractions will be forthcoming soon. Visit www.msstatefair.com and follow the Mississippi State Fairgrounds on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.

By Kara Kimbrough Newsflash:  Fourth of July 2024 will be a hot one. Since it's a couple of weeks away, I haven’t yet seen the weather report. But I just know it will be hot - maybe because I’ve suffered through numerous steamy hot holidays. But don’t ditch your celebration plans just yet. There are ways to keep your cool when preparing food for your Independence Day feast, regardless of its size. Scratch the plan for outdoor grilling and stay cool indoors by preparing minimal-baked dishes. My keep-your-cool tips include using the Crock-pot to prepare barbecue chicken, ribs and baked beans. Secondly, picking up a prepared salad from the supermarket. After all, who wants to boil potatoes or pasta in this heat? To make a festive flag cake, turning on the oven for about 45 minutes – just long enough to bake the cake base using vanilla or white cake mix (you can make it from scratch if you’re feeling industrious) shouldn’t heat up the kitchen too terribly bad. Top it off with an easy cream cheese frosting and sliced strawberries and blueberries. Or, follow my lead and mix and little confectioner’s sugar into plain ol’ Cool Whip. Just like that, you have a frosting that’s so good you won’t care that it’s semi-homemade. If you'd like the recipe for slow-cooked ribs and my easy-to-make flag cake (or need any additional Independence Day recipes), drop me an email and I’ll send them to you. Happy Independence Day, America! Firecracker Crockpot Barbecued Chicken 4-6 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless 1 bottle of favorite barbecue sauce 1/4 cup vinegar 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 teaspoon garlic powder Mix barbecue sauce with vinegar, red pepper flakes, brown sugar and garlic powder. Place chicken in crockpot. Pour sauce mixture over chicken. Cook on low 4-6 hours, stirring and flipping chicken periodically. Festive 4th Baked Beans 8 ounces bacon (half of a 16 ounce package) 55-ounce can of favorite baked beans 1 cup diced yellow onion 1/2 cup barbecue sauce 1 tablespoon brown sugar 2 tablespoon yellow mustard 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce Slice the raw bacon into 1/2-inch pieces. Cook on the stove top in a skillet until halfway browned, drain. Add to the slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients and stir. Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on low for 5 hours or high for 3-1/2 hours. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.