Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson invites everyone to attend the 59th annual Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo and announces the schedule of events taking place tomorrow, Thursday, February 1, and Friday, February 2, 2024. All events take place on the Mississippi State Fairgrounds. The following livestock shows are free to the public. Scheduled Activities & Events for Thursday, February 1, 2024: ·         8:00 a.m. – Dairy Cattle Show – Showmanship, FFA Dairy Cattle Handlers Class, Commercial Dairy Heifers, Commercial Dairy Cows, Purebreds – Judging Area Scheduled Activities & Events for Friday, February 2, 2024: ·         9:00 a.m. – Swine Showmanship – Swine Arena/Barn 6 ·         15 minutes after Swine Showmanship – Mississippi Bred Barrow Show – Swine Arena/Barn 6 ·         11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. – Dixie National Steakhouse – Trade Mart Events of the 59th Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo run through Sunday, February 18, 2024. The Dixie National Rodeo, the largest rodeo east of the Mississippi River, takes place Friday, February 9, through Sunday, February 11, and again Wednesday, February 14, through Saturday, February 17, inside the Mississippi Coliseum at the State Fairgrounds. Rodeo Entertainment: Friday, February 9, at 7:00 p.m. – Conner Smith & Colin Stough Saturday, February 10, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. – Tracy Byrd Sunday, February 11, at 2:00 p.m. – Chris Cagle Wednesday, February 14, at 7:00 p.m. – Megan Moroney Thursday, February 15, at 7:00 p.m. – Sammy Kershaw Friday, February 16, at 7:00 p.m.  – Corey Kent Saturday, February 17, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. – Parmalee Dixie National Steakhouse Hours: February 2-8, 2024 – 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. February 9 & 10, 2024 – 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. February 11, 2024 – 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. February 12 & 13, 2024 – CLOSED February 14-17, 2024 – 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. February 18, 2024 – 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. To purchase tickets to the Dixie National Rodeo, visit https://www.ticketmaster.com/dixie-national-rodeo-tickets/artist/848320. For more information, visit www.dixienational.org, follow the Dixie National Livestock Show & Rodeo on Facebook or call 601-961-4000.

Have you ever watched a volleyball game and witnessed an entire team suddenly duck under the net and join the other team? Gasping for a breath of hope that isn’t there, they had finally thrown up their hands in despair and crossed to the other side of the net. Just gave up, gave in, and joined the enemy. As much volleyball as I have watched and played through the years, no matter how badly one team is trouncing the other – and that has been witnessed, believe me – I have never seen that happen. Oh yes, there were some individual players that began pouting and dragging their feet, with a “What’s the use, this is just stupid!” look on their face. But an entire team? Never. Because there were always a few stubborn leaders who insisted that their team fight to the bitter end, even though it seemed pretty obvious that said end was going to be pretty bitter. Why? Why are there certain people in life who just refuse to quit the race when the going gets rocky and uphill? Stubborn pride? Tenacity? Parents who bothered to instill ‘stick-to-itiveness’ in their child, “Sweetie, you don’t give up just because things get difficult?” Probably a combination of many things, I would imagine. But if you are not one of those who were gifted with parents who pushed you to finish what you started, or you simply do not have a built-in stubbornness that refuses to ever toss in the towel, think about this. Giving in means you will definitely lose, because there is absolutely no chance of winning, if you won’t try for yourself. So at least keep trying, because laying down and pouting guarantees YOU WILL LOSE. But if you can’t bring yourself to stubbornly and relentlessly work for yourself, at least have enough gumption to not begin working for the other side. Because without a doubt, the score will end up World:2   You:0. My advice? Your overwhelmed feeling could easily be caused by a combination of emotional, mental and physical exhaustion. And exhaustion is a pathway that can lead to depression, fear and hopelessness. That lethal combination of emotions can dump you into a black hole of despair and just giving up. So, take a break from it all, as much as is possible. Pray for help. Go for walks, take naps, talk with someone who will listen and who cares about you. Seek advice and counsel from the closest thing to a professional that you can afford. Mr. Winston Churchill, former Prime Minister of England during the years of WWII is quoted as saying, “Never ever, ever, ever give in.” Pretty appropriate for anyone whose heart is beating– if you want a flea’s breath of a chance to be successful in your life. Do not give up on YOU. The end result is total loss, and you are worth more than that.

On Saturday, February 17, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Clinton will host a special musical performance by Mississippi virtuoso trumpeter Kimble Funchess. Funchess, a gifted musician and music educator, has performed with some of the nation’s greatest musical giants in jazz, gospel, blues and R&B, including B.B. King, Charley Pride, the O’Jays, Bobby Rush, Johnny Taylor, Dorothy Moore, Brandy, Wilson Pickett, Mavis Staples, The Spinners, The Temptations, The Four Tops and Eddie Cotton. He has led and been a part of numerous orchestras and music festivals, including the Natchez Festival of Music. He played trumpet in the 2014 James Brown biopic, Get On Up!, and has also performed as part of the orchestra for the first Mississippi Grammy Event and arranged horns and recorded with three International Blues Challenge winners. Funchess’ enthusiasm for music led to a professional career in music as a performing artist and music educator, and he has performed at many local churches and been director of bands at numerous schools in Mississippi. Funchess was the recipient of the Mississippi Jazz Foundation 2021 Music Education Award for commitment to musicianship and creativity in education in schools. His wife, Julia, is also an educator, and she serves as a travel advisor with McGehee Cruise and Vacation in Jackson. Funchess will present a program that will include gospel, several styles of jazz, as well as contemporary selections. He will perform with his guitarist. The community is invited to the free concert, which will begin at 6 p.m. and be followed by light finger foods. No tickets or reservations are necessary. Our Redeemer Lutheran Church is located at 1799 Clinton Raymond Road. For more information, call 601-924-9999.

By Kara Kimbrough Delivering dinner at the end of 2023 to friends who’ve helped me with various needs throughout the year proved to be more challenging than anticipated. Upon asking about the favorite foods of the male in the equation, I was told, “No chicken.” OK, there went my idea for chicken spaghetti. Also on the list was “anything with tomatoes” (scratch spaghetti, lasagna and other Italian dishes). But it was the last directive that really got me: “No casseroles.” It hit me that casseroles get no respect and that’s just not right. After all, what would Thanksgiving dinner be without a classic green bean casserole, sprinkled liberally with crispy French-fried onions? And who doesn’t love the classic baked chicken and rice dish doused liberally with not one, but two “cream of” soups? If you grew up in the 1970’s, 80’s or even the 60’s as this picky eater friend did, you undoubtedly had at least one Pyrex dish of some type of casserole placed on the dinner table each week. Maybe my friend got sick of them as a child, thus his aversion to the “one dish includes all” meals. As for me, I still have fond members of casseroles filled with ground beef, noodles and tomatoes and and my absolute favorite to this day, fried pork chops and brown rice casserole. Tuna casserole aside, what’s not to like about this familiar dish that has provided so much comfort and security over the years? To quell any lingering bad memories of casserole-centric meals, I’ve tweaked the ingredients and changed the names to protect the innocent of these three dishes. It’s unlikely my friend will recognize them as anything but delicious meals that bear no resemblance to the ones that scarred him for life. By the way, he and his wife seemed to enjoy the basic roast, potatoes, carrots, mashed potatoes and gravy dinner I delivered, but who knows, I might spring a pseudo-casserole on him in 2024. Cheeseburger & Fries in a Pyrex Dish 2 pounds ground beef, browned and drained 10-3/4 ounce can golden mushroom soup 10-3/4 ounce can Cheddar cheese soup 20-ounce package frozen crinkle-cut French fries Pickles, chopped tomatoes and ketchup for toppings (optional) Combine ground beef and soup. Spread in a greased 13” x 9” inch baking pan. Arrange French fries on top. Bake, uncovered at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes or until fries are golden brown. Top with pickles, vegetables, ketchup if desired. Shoepeg Corn and Green Bean Bake 2 (7 ounce) cans shoepeg corn, drained 14-1/2 ounce can green beans, drained 10-3/4 ounce can cream of celery soup 1 cup sour cream 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese 1 cup crushed round buttery crackers (about 15) ¼ cup butter or margarine, melted Stir together corn, beans, soup, sour cream and cheese; spread in a greased 2-quart baking dish. Top with cracker crumbs; drizzle with melted butter. Baked, uncovered, at 350 degrees for one hour or until golden. Sausage and Wild Rice Combo 1 pound pork sausage, sliced 1/2 onion, chopped 1 stalk celery, chopped 1 green bell pepper, chopped 1/2 cup uncooked long grain white rice 1 (4.5 ounce) package chicken noodle soup mix 2 cups hot water 1/2 cup slivered almonds Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large skillet over medium high heat, combine the sausage, onion, celery and green bell pepper and sauté for 5 minutes. Drain any excess fat. Stir the dry rice in with the sausage and vegetables, then add the water and the soup mix. Transfer this mixture to a lightly greased 2-quart casserole dish and top with the almonds. Bake, covered, at 350 degrees for 90 minutes. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer and travel agent from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

Zykeria Lashay Anderson earned a 3.5 GPA or higher in the fall 2023 semester, securing a reputable position on Southern Arkansas University's Dean's List.Anderson is a junior Social Work major from Bolton, MS.A total of 593 students were honored on this semester's Dean's List.Southern Arkansas University provides students the complete college experience in a caring environment of service, innovation, and community. With more than 100 degrees in four distinct colleges and the School of Graduate Studies, SAU initiates new degree programs to fit the needs of career and professional trends of today. To learn more about SAU, visit www.saumag.edu.

By Bob Garver Last week I wrote about “Mean Girls” and the problem of having seen a version of the movie before, which made it too familiar and predictable. I meant it in a very literal sense – there was a 2004 movie called “Mean Girls,” written by Tina Fey, with basically the same characters and story (though no musical numbers, those were a nice addition). Now I’m making the same complaint about “The Beekeeper,” but in a figurative sense. There is no other movie called “The Beekeeper” that resembles this movie or involves the same people, nor is this movie technically based on any other intellectual property. And yet you’ll know what I mean when I say that I’ve seen this movie so many times before. Jason Statham plays Adam Clay, a drifter given work by the kind Eloise (Phylicia Rashad). Online scammers take every penny of Eloise’s savings, including over $2 million earmarked for charity. Eloise’s FBI agent daughter Verona (Emmy Raver-Lampman) gets involved and has Clay arrested. He complies with the arrest, but this is the kind of character that only complies because he cares about Verona’s peace of mind and not because he is actually conceding power. He’s soon released, and while he has no hard feelings toward Verona, he does want to shut down the scammers permanently. They don’t know it, but they’ve made an enemy of the world’s deadliest assassin. Clay starts out burning down the call center where the scammers worked, but of course the path of destruction doesn’t stop there. He works his way up to the highest levels of the operation, inching ever-closer to… “mastermind” isn’t really the word here, but figurehead Derek Danforth (Josh Hutcherson). Danforth has the help of his powerful mother (Jemma Redgrave) and a former CIA director (Jeremy Irons), who’s smart enough to have a great deal of respect for Clay. Verona is assigned to bring down Clay for his unlawful actions, and she’s really good at figuring out where he’s going to go next. She’s not good at knowing what to do with this information once she figures it out, but no one else on the law enforcement side is doing any better. It seems the bad guys kicked a hornets’ nest and angered a guy that was once assigned to protect the hive that is the United States. Also he had an amateur beekeeping/honey collecting operation in the barn where he lived. The movie makes every bee joke and metaphor it can muster, because the beekeeping gimmick is the only thing separating this movie from hundreds like it where an apparent nobody or everyman turns out to be an unstoppable action hero. Ten years ago, Liam Neeson was the face of this genre, though it’s not like Hollywood hasn’t been mining this formula for decades. “The Beekeeper” doesn’t do too much to stand out from the swarm, but it’s enjoyable at times. Statham is his usual charming self, some of the action set pieces are pleasingly implausible, and the scummy bad guys are fun to punish. If you’re looking for nothing more than a movie where the most fun comes from speculating if the villain of the moment will get gunned down or blown up, this might be the movie for you. I’m looking for something where I can get a little more invested in the characters and story, which is why I can’t recommend it. I know this movie probably wants me to give it the next letter grade up, but I’m afraid it will have to settle for a… Grade: C “The Beekeeper” is rated R for strong violence throughout, pervasive language, some sexual references and drug use. Its running time is 105 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

Take a good look. It’s always there, part of a healthy, whole hand. Hold up your hand and you’ll see it. The one digit that is pointing the opposite of the other four fingers, every time. Oh yeah, you can force it to go along with all the others, but you do have to work at it. Usually, it just naturally sticks out to the side, like “a sore thumb.” It’s always just a little different and obstinately curving away from all the others - but it sure serves a great purpose. Try this. Tuck away the thumb on your hand, and try to do any small physical task with your remaining four fingers. Write, pick up anything, or stir with a spoon. Doable, but a lot more difficult, huh? Because the thumb has the responsibility of creating an opposing force to the fingers, it allows us to grab an object. Its very nature is to be in opposition, and it’s very good at what it does. Same thing seems to occur in human groups. Put more than two people together and you sooner or later you will spot “the thumb.” The one who just naturally seems to be different from everyone else in their ideas and beliefs. As if it’s their job to be the opposition in most situations, and believe me, they are totally up for it. But just like the real thumb on a hand, “the thumb” on a committee, or at a party, or in any kind of work or social group usually serves a purpose. And it’s not to sound good, or act pretty, or likable – that really isn’t their focus. In fact, they can come across as the very opposite of pretty. But still, the thumb of the group does have a practical function. Just like the thumb on your hand, an opposing force is created. And ideas that have been easily accepted by everyone else get challenged. Though that may get irritating, it can serve the group well. When ‘The Thumb’s new opposing ideas get tossed into the mix they may undoubtedly create animosity – but at the same time those new ideas start people to actually thinking. And that is never a bad thing. Because it causes those accepted ideas to be defended and developed better than the original. Just like the Creator had a great idea when the thumb was designed to be in opposition, The Thumb in your group is probably a good addition. Sure, I realize that the sore thumb always seems to stir up trouble and cause friction…but he or she may be exactly what your committee or workplace needs, to keep from becoming run-of-the-mill and stale. After all, it’s the spices you add to your soup that prevent it from being bland. And bland soup is rarely in demand. So learn to thank God for that sore thumb of your group. And learn to be patient.

By Kara Kimbrough One thing you can always count on when frigid temperatures envelope Mississippi – grocery store shelves are swept bare in mere hours and everyone begins sharing photos of whatever it is they’re cooking. In the case of most of my acquaintances last week, it was soup, stew, chili and without fail, a skillet of cornbread. For some reason, cornbread appears to be making a comeback and I’m not sure why. In my opinion, it never went out of style. It’s inexpensive, relatively easy to make and if made from scratch (not from a box or bag), it’s filling and delicious. Speaking of the box, I was sorely let down by Famous Dave’s Original Cornbread Mix. It's a new product (or at least to me) that I picked up recently while shopping. I had high hopes for the outcome, especially since the brand is known for innovative barbecue sauces, spices, rubs, pickles and more. However, one slice of the finished product told me Famous Dave is not from the South. The cornbread was edible, but entirely too sweet. Southerners know this important fact: cornbread is NOT meant to taste like cake. If we want cake, we make cake. When we crave cornbread, we produce a skillet of somewhat coarse bread that does not, under any circumstance, taste sweet. Finding a cornbread recipe I actually liked and that wasn’t dry has been a challenge. I’ve finally settled on a buttermilk-based recipe that, if I don’t let it bake too long, is moist and flavorful. Don’t get me wrong; quick mixes like Martha White cornbread in a bag and Jiffy Mix in the little blue box serve various purposes. It’s entirely respectable to use either one of these mixes when making dishes like cornbread salad or ones that require a cornbread topping. But they definitely won’t do when it’s time for cornbread dressing or it’s soup, chili or black-eyed pea time. All the photos of cornbread this past week spurred me to organize my recipes of southerners’ favorite bread in a special section of my go-to binder. Here are two of my cornbread-centric recipes that’ll help you make it through the next cold spell. Best Buttermilk Cornbread 2 large eggs 1-½ cup buttermilk ¼ cup shortening 1 tablespoon baking powder ¾ teaspoon salt 1-¾ cup corn meal (not self-rising) 1 cup flour, all purpose (not self-rising) Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a cast iron skillet, add shortening and place in the oven to melt as the oven heats up. Mix all dry ingredients in a medium-sized bowl until incorporated. In a large bowl, beat the eggs. Add the dry ingredients to the eggs and mix.  Add the milk and hot fat from the pan and mix gently until incorporated.  Add batter to the hot skillet and cook for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Chicken Enchilada Bake 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce ¼ cup water 1 envelope taco seasoning mix 1 ½ tablespoons chili powder 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 pound chicken breast tenderloins 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained ¼ cup cream cheese 1 cup shredded Mexican-style cheese blend, or more to taste 1 (7.5-ounce) package corn bread mix 1 egg ⅓ cup milk Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 9x9-inch baking dish. Mix tomato sauce, water, taco seasoning mix, and chili powder together in a saucepan; bring to a simmer over medium heat. Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat and brown chicken tenderloins on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. Pour tomato sauce mixture over the chicken, bring to a simmer, and cook over medium-low heat until chicken tenderloins are no longer pink inside, about 8 minutes. Transfer chicken to a bowl and shred; return shredded chicken to the sauce. Mix in black beans and cream cheese until thoroughly combined. Pour chicken mixture into prepared baking dish. Top with shredded Mexican cheese. Whisk corn bread mix, egg, and milk in a bowl, and spoon the batter over the chicken mix. Bake in the preheated oven until the casserole is bubbling and the corn bread topping is browned and set, about 30 minutes. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer and travel agent from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

Teaming up with Hinds County 4-H, individuals of every age group are encouraged to embrace a healthy habit throughout February by exclusively consuming water (excluding soda or sugary juices). Participants have the option to enhance their water by adding fruits or vegetables. As an incentive, the library will award a prize to each patron successfully completing the 29-day water consumption challenge by the end of the month. It's a refreshing initiative that not only promotes hydration but also fosters a sense of well-being within the community. Join the challenge and celebrate a month of wellness with Hinds County 4-H and the library! For more information you can contact the Annie Thompson Jeffers Library at 601-866-4247.

Bolton Baptist Church recently welcomed Jonathan Poe as their new pastor. Poe is a 2017 graduate of Mississippi College, where he studied Christian studies and history. He has a M. Divinity in church history from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Poe’s wife, Taylor, has a doctorate in math from Mississippi College, where she currently teaches in the math department. “The Lord moved us to the Bolton community two and a half years ago,” notes Poe. “During that time, we have grown to love the people and enjoy the land He has given us. Almost every day, I have driven by Bolton BC (three and a half miles from our house) without knowing eventually He would call me to serve this wonderful family. I am excited to serve as pastor to this community we have called home for the last two years!” After receiving a unanimous vote from the congregation to serve as their pastor, Poe’s first Sunday preaching for Bolton Baptist Church was December 10, 2023.

Bolton, Mississippi faced a water situation during the recent winter freeze when a vital storage tank overflowed due to a malfunctioning sensor. The extreme cold had frozen the sensor, rendering it ineffective and allowing the tank to surpass its capacity. Residents were asked to conserve water amidst the frigid weather. Swift action was taken as the sensor problem was identified and promptly fixed. This incident underscores the vulnerability of infrastructure to severe weather and emphasizes the importance of regular maintenance, especially in adverse conditions. With the sensor now restored, the town can breathe a sigh of relief, ensuring a more resilient water supply system.