From crayons to canvases, our little artists are making their mark! Ms T’s Preschool Daycare & After School is a community hub of creativity in Bolton. Join us in celebrating the imaginative spirit of our young learners. #BoltonCommunity #MsTsArtisticHub

By Bob Garver With the holiday season coming to an end, I can only talk about what “made” a movie like “Migration” a relative hit, as opposed to talking about its future. And that reason is that it was a “compromise” movie for families looking for a way to kill time together during the holiday break. “Wonka,” while the biggest hit of the season, came out two weeks ago, so “Migration” probably gobbled up some business from families that had already seen it. “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” didn’t appeal to non-DCEU fans (and was terrible to boot). “The Color Purple” is better than all these movies (seriously, I highly recommend that one), but with its heavy subject matter, isn’t exactly fun for the whole family. The compromise was to take the kids to the animated duck movie. The Mallard family make their home in a small rural pond. Father Mack (Kumail Nanjiani) teaches son Dax (Caspar Jennings) and daughter Gwen (Tresi Gazal) to fear the dangers of the outside world, but mother Pam (Elizabeth Banks) is pretty sure they can handle some adventure if they stick together. Her attitude rubs off on the kids, and they want to migrate to Jamaica for the winter, but Mack forbids it. He’s backed up by lazy slob Uncle Dan (Danny DeVito), who leads a sedentary, washed-out life. Uncle Dan’s bad example is enough to convince Mack that the family needs a vacation after all. Mack reluctantly leads the family (including Uncle Dan) toward Jamaica, but they soon get stuck in a miserable rainstorm. Pam tries to play the “it’s all part of the adventure” and “we’ll laugh about this later” cards, as parents tend to do when things go wrong on vacation, but it’s clear things are off to a bad start. Things get even worse when a heron (Carol Kane) offers the family refuge in her home, and they have to spend the night in the home of a frightening predator. It turns out that the real predator is a fish that has swam into the flooded house, but it’s an unnerving experience all the same. The family gets “lost” and ends up in New York City (though I have no idea where they started, so NYC could be south for all I know), where they befriend local streetwise pigeon Chump (Awkwafina). She makes the inevitable joke confusing Jamaica the country with the Queens neighborhood once and then leaves it alone, which was a relief to me – I thought the characters would spend about an hour making that mistake. Chump takes them to imprisoned macaw Delroy (Keegan-Michael Key), who can give them directions to Jamaica, but they decide they can’t just leave him in his cage, they need to break him out so he can take them there himself. This angers his mute owner, who happens to be a chef that specializes in cooking ducks. The family spends the rest of the movie battling the chef, who has his own private helicopter so they can have a confrontation later at a duck farm (disguised an avian-friendly vacation resort for some reason, even though this isn’t “Wonka” and humans don’t need to con the ducks) and then further down the coast in the third act. “Migration” isn’t a particularly imaginative family film. It’s certainly cute and harmless enough that I don’t think anybody will truly detest it, even if they’re well outside the target audience. But it’s not the kind that I think parents will enjoy as much as their kids – save for the completely-plausible possibility that the kids find it dull too. Grade: C “Migration” is rated PG for action/peril and mild rude humor. Its running time is 83 minutes, plus nine for the pre-feature animated short “Mooned,” which follows villain Vector (Jason Segel) after the events of 2010’s “Despicable Me.” I didn’t find the short funny, but I’m glad the franchise is keeping the character alive, as I thought he was funny in the first movie and would like to see him return for future installments. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

A gripe taken from the lips of one frustrated lady, who was recently overheard in a public place. “I had the family holiday dinner at my house last week, just like I have for years.  My daughter was to bring most of the food – including the cranberry dish that she knows to always bring. But this year, for some unknown strange reason, she brought everything else, except the cranberries! Good grief, she KNOWS that is my favorite dish!” When the person who was listening sympathetically to this tale of woe asked her if she had reminded the daughter to bring that particular holiday dish, she answered, “Well, no. But she should know that she has to bring the cranberries. After all, she always has, all these years.” Oh my. So much gone wrong – on so many levels. First of all – can anyone say ungrateful attitude? “She brought most of the food…but not my cranberries that I love.”  Now, I realize that I wasn’t there, so I can’t really know - maybe the lady did tell her daughter how much she appreciated the cooking, the cost, and the love involved in providing everything. I certainly hope so. It also seems the mother made the bad mistake of just assuming that her daughter would walk through Mom’s door toting the cranberries. It would have solved so much if Mom would have asked her daughter beforehand to once again provide her famous dish. And if she didn’t, that family may have a problem in the making. Because assuming her daughter will buy, cook, and bring everything for the table – like she always does - can begin to create some hidden or unhidden resentment in the daughter. Being taken for granted is never an easy part to play, and most of us endure it unwillingly. People, what a missed opportunity! A chance to praise, to affirm, and to be gracious. And because I am meddling in another family’s business (and I do realize that fact) I’m going to say something else, and here it is: “Mom, maybe it’s time for somebody else to also volunteer, to help in providing and cooking some of the dinner.” Sometimes as times goes by, we family members just fall into habits. “So-n-so always brings the meat for our get-togethers,” so nobody else even thinks about helping in that area. Well, maybe someone needs to ask ol’ so-n-so if he still wants to buy, cook, and bring the meat year after year. Or if would he like a break or some help. My point is this; Just make certain, every once in a while, that So-n-so still wants to play that role, so that resentment doesn’t rear its ugly head and ruin what was once a good thing for your family. Common courtesy and common sense combined with open communication goes a long way to having family times that everyone enjoys.

By Kara Kimbrough In case you were waiting for it.…my annual “Favorite foods, supermarket products, restaurants and destinations of 2023” is coming next week. I’m still trying to pare the list down to a manageable level. In the meantime, I’m sharing a couple of my favorite recipes from the past year that you’ll definitely want to try in 2024. You probably already figured a soup recipe is included, but believe me when I say, this is no ordinary soup. Filled with all of my favorite ingredients – sun dried tomatoes, pasta, garlic and shrimp (although the original recipe calls for chicken, I often substitute shrimp to simulate my favorite Sun-Dried Pasta and Shrimp dish) it’s a feast for the eyes and palate. The viral (wildly popular for those not familiar with online terminology) Italian chopped sandwich was a favorite of millions in 2023. I’ve already shared the recipe, so I won’t reprint it. A close second is the also-popular smash burger. It may appear to be a regular ol’ burger, but there’s a special technique that makes it extra good. I wasn’t around in the 1950’s, but many liken it to burgers prepared at neighborhood burger joints of that era. So, there you have it- my favorite recipes of 2023. Here’s to discovering many more food finds and sharing them with you in 2024! Favorite Things Soup 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes packed in olive oil with Italian herbs (found near the jarred pasta sauces in the supermarket) 1  tablespoon of the seasoned olive oil from the sun-dried tomatoes jar 1  tablespoon olive oil 1 cup chopped yellow onion 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 garlic cloves - minced 6 cups chicken broth 2 cups whole milk 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning ½ teaspoon garlic powder ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon ground black pepper 2   cups cooked chicken, shredded 2   cups chopped spinach 8 ounces small bite-size pasta (shells, macaroni, etc.) 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese Add 1/2 cup of the sun-dried tomatoes to a small bowl; set aside. Pour 1 tablespoon of the seasoned olive oil from the sun-dried tomato jar. Add the seasoned oil to a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add regular olive oil and onion to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste, and minced garlic. Cook, stirring often, for two minutes. Add broth, milk, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well. Bring the liquid to a simmer. Add chicken, spinach, and pasta. Simmer until the pasta is tender (around 10 minutes). Add the parmesan cheese. Stir until incorporated and serve. 2023’s Famous Smash Burger Prepare Patties – Divide 1 1/2 pounds of ground chuck and roll into 8 equal-size balls (3 ounces each), cover, and refrigerate until ready to cook. Make Sauce – Stir together 1/3 cup mayo, 1 teaspoon mustard and 1 teaspoon ketchup and set aside. Prep Toppings – fully prep toppings ahead to assemble the burgers right away while the patties are hot off the grill. Lettuce – thinly slice iceberg lettuce for a restaurant-style smash burger Pickles – sliced dill pickle chips are the best Tomatoes – meaty and large-sized tomatoes are recommended if available; peel and cut into thin slices Red onion – thinly slice into rings Toast buns – lightly butter the cut side of buns and toast on a griddle or skillet over medium heat until golden brown. Transfer to a rack. Cook patties – increase heat of a griddle or cast-iron skillet to medium-high. Depending on surface area, place 2 to 4 cold balls of meat onto the hot surface. Working quickly, cover each piece with a sheet of parchment paper and smash each into a thin patty using a burger press or spatula. Remove parchment paper, season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, add a small amount of sauce, and flip. Sear for 2 minutes on the first side and two minutes on the second side; continue until burgers are no longer pink in the center. Add cheese – place a slice of cheese onto half of the patties and top with a second patty. Press down on top burger for a minute until cheese is melted; remove from heat. Enjoy: Serve warm on toasted buns, with toppings arranged on the bottom bun.  Make more sauce to serve with burgers if desired. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer and travel agent from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

By Mika Hartman Happy 2024! As we all plan for the coming year, the possible and impossible resolutions made, the highest hope for a better tomorrow, I know whose hands our future falls in: Our children. Linda Creed wrote the lyrics for the mega hit that originally was recorded by George Benson and later by the great Whitney Houston: “Greatest Love Of All”. I was eleven in 1986 when Whitney's first album released, so everything Whitney sang was played on my record player that had disco lights; with me singing and dancing on my bed (and even in my driveway) like no one was watching. After Thanksgiving, we were traveling home and this hit came on the radio. Tears didn’t stop when I heard the lyrics that I have heard 1000’s of times before. I was thinking about Hudson and all of his tomorrows ahead; he is our future, too. “I believe the children are our future Teach them well and let them lead the way Show them all the beauty they possess inside Give them a sense of pride to make it easier Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be” We all know these words well. Even as I am typing them, tho, they have a renewed meaning to me, just like the hope for our new year. Our focus gets on the tasks of today, but what if we put more time into tomorrow. Teach, show, give and let the (my favorite) laughter all be more contagious. But many don’t know why it was important for Whitney to record this one. Her words: “Our young people need to hear that song and realize it’s about loving yourself. If you can love yourself through all your rights and wrongs and faults, then that’s the greatest love of all.” -Whitney Houston The world is hard to understand, but Gods love isn’t. My husband treated me to a Holiday Special with LeAnn Rimes for my birthday. Ms. LeAnn said that the world would be a better place if when we looked at one another, that we understood that we were looking at the face of God in each of us. It would, hopefully, stop us from saying things we don’t mean or shouldn’t say. It would likely give us more graceful moments with humanity. LeAnn also stated that how remarkable we are with our own unique set of fingerprints that will never be duplicated and the marvel of this mind-blowing thought. The face of God is in ALL of us. We are His creation. As I have moved from being the future to raising the future, I know we have so much to learn from my son. At 5 years old, he has opened my eyes to wanting a better world. I didn’t know how much was wrong with the status quo until his birth. My uncle just visited to be Santa for our Gulf Coast Down Syndrome Society’s Christmas Party. He shared that he was invited to The White House with President Bush to be on the West Lawn for the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. I was clueless to his involvement with ADA and his input on helping this monumental act become law. Seriously!? How did I not know? Because it didn’t have any meaning in my personal life. I could be mad at myself for my selfishness, but instead of getting angry, I am doing “more” to make up for my ignorance. My uncle even shared that it is his “greatest accomplishment” to have helped with this, but also his “sore-spot” in how it has been misinterpreted and twisted to reduce employment opportunities for people with disabilities. As far as its good, the ADA has shown our nations commitment to people with disabilities full civil and human rights. This act protects against discrimination of people with disabilities, too.  The U.S. Census Bureau in 2021 stated that there are 42.5 million Americans with disabilities. Of those, it was stated that over three million are children (0-18) with disabilities. There was an uptick of 0.4% from 2008 to 2019. What I get from this is that we have three million children with disabilities here today to learn from, that we have an opportunity to make the future brighter for many. In 2020, the census bureau says that the United States has 73.1 million children. What I take from this is that we have 70.1 million children to teach about their peers with disabilities. Allow them to be educated about our differences and let them be accepting of God’s gifts in the way He designed. Our future is them. Hudson is beautiful on the inside and out. He has and gives such joy. Hudson’s journey is different than that of typical 5 year olds, but it is not bad or wrong, it is his. It’s an opportunity to learn; for him AND for you and me. When we learn, we can teach. When we teach, we can bring change. And those changes can become normal behaviors of inclusion and acceptance. A celebration and a hope that is needed more than ever. The 2024 celebrations are here, the need for a better future is now. So let’s bring in this year with EXTRA kisses at midnight and a promise of a beautiful tomorrow for all. And it would be good to make a few EXTRA resolutions, too.

By Bob Garver 2023 has not been good for the DC Extended Universe. The year will end without “The Flash” as one of the top 20 highest money-earners at the domestic box office. “Blue Beetle” will finish out of the top 30, “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” out of the top 40. Newest offering “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” will probably fare a little better since it’s been positioned as the big Christmas weekend release, but it can finish out of the top 50 for all I care because this movie is terrible. Since we last saw Arthur Curry aka Aquaman (Jason Momoa), he’s settled into two new roles in his life. On land, he and his wife Mera (Amber Heard) have welcomed a son, which they raise alongside his parents (Nicole Kidman and Temuera Morrison). Underwater, he is now fully king of Atlantis. He likes being a father much more than being a king, but duty calls ever since he banished his brother Orm (Patrick Wilson) to a prison in the desert. His nemesis Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), has gone through some changes too, now employing a research team to help break him into Atlantis so he can avenge his late father. I have no idea how he affords his staff, his facilities, or his gadgets. I know piracy pays well, but does it pay that well? With the help of Dr. Stephen Shin (Randall Park), Manta stumbles across ancient Atlantean technology in the form of the Black Trident, which allows the holder to wield incredible power, but also corrupts their soul. Manta was already pretty corrupt, but with the trident, he starts wreaking havoc on the entire world. It’s up to Aquaman to stop him, and he has to do so by breaking Orm out of prison. Neither brother is thrilled to be working with the other, but the only way to defeat Manta is together. The movie is at its best when it lets Momoa and Wilson carry the scene. The actors are charismatic and play off each other well. The banter they’re given isn’t always funny, but it’s easy to see where they have the potential to be funny. Also, and I know a lot of people are going to disagree with me on this, but I liked a gag where Arthur learns that his brother has never tried surface food and shares with him a certain “delicacy.” The movie is at its worst at all other times. The redemption arc for Dr. Shin is painfully drawn-out and he ultimately does so little that his good-guy status at the end feels unearned. The CGI creatures are unconvincing and unpleasant-looking. Worst of all, the underwater action sequences are murky and hard to follow. I could never keep track of who was alive and who was dead until they reemerged in follow-up scenes. It’s not quite as bad as the action in “Meg 2: The Trench,” but I’m sure that movie was hampered by a limited budget, whereas this one had much more resources and still looks like a mess. “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” is a throwaway DCEU movie at a time when the franchise can’t afford to throw anything away. As much as I like Momoa and Wilson, I can’t recommend putting them in another standalone movie anytime soon, not until this arm of the franchise can be completely straightened out. The only way I see these characters working again is if they’re part of a bigger team-up with more DC heroes, but even that’s looking increasingly unlikely with every character bombing lately. This movie is the best argument yet for why this version of the DCEU in its entirety should just be cut adrift. Grade: C- “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” is rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence and some language. Its running time is 124 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu

Fireworks were involved with over 10,000 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments during 2022, according to a report from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Children are especially at risk for injury. The report states that those 15 to 19 years of age had the highest estimated rate of injury followed by children ages 10 to 14. “Teach your child not to point or throw fireworks at people, animals, or buildings,” Chaney said. “Show children how to put fireworks in buckets of water and dispose of them properly so as not to start a fire.” The Mississippi State Fire Marshal recommends these additional 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.

Grandma lay in the hospital bed, a shadow of the vital, energetic woman she had been just a year ago. Her strong hands that were endlessly involved in her family’s life, providing, comforting, and disciplining, now lay listlessly on the bed cover, thin and fragile. Eyes that always had been sparkling with life and occasionally sparking with irritation when one of her grandchildren had been “acting the fool” now were clouded with pain and fatigue. Her famous silver cloud of hair that she always wore in a short halo around her head? Long gone in the garbage heap of life, along with her energy and zest for life. Grandma was very ill and she had no illusions of recovering. Cancer had walked into her life fifteen months ago. Rudely ignoring any common courtesy of announcing its arrival, it had quietly and insidiously sneaked in, hiding its presence until it had managed to gain a stronghold with tentacles snaking throughout her once indomitable body. The oncologist efforts with chemotherapy and surgery to rein in its reign of terror had proven to be as ineffective as a household water hose against a city-wide fire. Into her dimly lit room, a grieving daughter led her own tiny daughter. Mom and Dad had agreed last night that it was time for their little girl to say her goodbye to Meemie. As they tiptoed toward the bed where her grandmother lay, the little girl’s eyes widened in shock. The Meemie she had always known, the strong, fun-loving, outspoken woman who had helped shape the first seven years of her life was not lying in that bed. In her place was just a shadow, a feeble imitation of the lady who had helped to surround her with love and security. Tears filled the mother’s eyes as she watched her daughter quietly lean toward the bed. Tenderly gazing down into the beloved wrinkled face, the child reached out to lightly stroke the almost transparent skin. With her other hand, she picked up one of the lifeless hands and held it gently in her own. Then she placed a little foot on the lowered guard rail, boosted herself up on the bed, and laid her head down on the pillow next to Meemie. Mom inched closer to the bed, unwilling to disturb what was happening, but yet wanting to hear what would be said. In her soft little girl voice, the child began whispering in the ear of her grandmother. “Meemie, this is Hope. I love you so much. Momma told me I’ve come to say goodbye ‘cuz you’re going to Heaven. And we won’t be talking anymore for a long time. But she said that I will see you again. And you will be able to play with me like you used to. And then, you will have your Hope and God with you forever! Never give up on Hope and your God.

By Kara Kimbrough I've shared this in previous columns, but it may bear repeating. I don't believe in luck, but instead, put my faith in God's grace and blessings for the coming year. However, like any good Southerner, starting 2024 off without sampling at least one of these traditional New Year's dishes -  cabbage, black-eyed peas, pork and cornbread -  just doesn't feel right. First, enjoying these foods on the first day of a new year is a fun tradition to maintain. I love the starving Vicksburg natives whose lives were saved by finding black-eyed peas to eat when the Civil War raged in their city and Union troops destroyed all crops but the peas used to feed livestock. Thus began an important New Year's Day tradition. But most important, if cooked the right way, these dishes are really delicious and filling on what is usually a cold day. Other foods that show up around the first day of the New Year in other parts of the U.S. and world include: *  Lettuce and cabbage: The Chinese wrap their food in the leafy green vegetables during the Chinese New Year and for good reason. Lettuce in their native tongue means "rising fortune." In our part of the world, we simplify things. Eating boiled cabbage or cole slaw means we'll receive money in the coming year. * Pork - Germans and Eastern Europeans first began serving sauerkraut and some form of "lucky pork" on the first day of the new year. Like Southerners, they believe cabbage resembles money and increases in value when cooked. I've never seen sauerkraut on a New Year's table, but fried pork chops or bacon are usually a staple on Southern tables. * Cornbread - Back to the Civil War...if starving Southerners had any corn left in the fields, they ground it to make cornbread to eat with black-eyed peas. As a result of the life-sustaining meal when everything around them was bleak, eating cornbread on New Year's Day now signifies "gold," in the coming year. Besides looking forward to New Year's Day, when some form of pork, cabbage, peas and cornbread will make an appearance, I've always loved the excitement of New Year's Eve. Whether it's a party or gathering of friends around a bonfire or special event, there's a sense of closing down a year filled with numerous ups-and-downs and starting anew the following day that makes the evening special. Here are a few recipes to help send 2023 on a delicious note and begin 2024 with hopes for an even better year. Happy New Year! New Year's Eve Dip Charcutie Board Fun idea: Line a long board with favorite chips and crackers and place these several different flavors of dip in small bowls in the midst of the chips/crackers. Cut out slices of cheese with  number cookie cutters in "2024" and place on the board.) Easy Shrimp Dip 4 ounces cream cheese, softened 1 cup mayonnaise 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce 2 teaspoons onion, grated 2 teaspoons parsley, chopped 1-1/2 teaspoons lemon juice 1/4 teaspoon salt 3 drops hot sauce (adjust to taste) Mix cream cheese and mayonnaise. Add remaining ingredients and blend thoroughly. Allow mixture to chill for one hour before serving. Recipe doubles easily. New Year's Day Breakfast Cheesecake 2 8-ounce cans crescent roll dough 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese 1-1/2 cups sugar, divided 1 large egg, separated 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup pecans, chopped Spread one roll of crecent roll dough (sheet form) in a 13x9" Pyrex dish, pressing perforations together to seal. Combine cream cheese, 1 cup of sugar, egg yolk and vanilla and spread on top of dough. Lay second can of dough (sheet form) on top of rolls. Beat egg white and brush on top. Mix remaining sugar and pecans together and sprinkle on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Overnight New Year's Day Brunch Apple French Toast 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup butter 2 tablespoons light Karo syrup 4 apples, peeled and sliced thin 3 eggs 1 cup milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 9 slices day-old French bread (slice the day before and leave uncovered in the refrigerator) In a small pan over low heat, combine brown sugar, butter and Karo until thick. Pour into ungreased 13x9" pan, arranging apple slices on top. In a mixing bowl, beat eggs, milk and vanilla extract. Dip bread slices in egg mixture, and arrange on top of apple slices. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking and uncover. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes until top is browned. Top with sauce: (optional) 1 cup applesauce 10-ounce jar apple jelly 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/8 taspoon cloves Combine ingredients in pan over low heat and cook, stirring, until jelly is dissolved. Serve French toast slices with sauce drizzled over top. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer and travel agent from MIssissippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

By Bob Garver A bit of autobiography here at the start: I grew up a stone’s throw from Hershey, Pennsylvania and my current full-time employment comes from Hershey’s Chocolate World in Times Square. Chocolate, its production, and its sales are all a major part of my identity. So I view media related to Roald Dahl’s 1964 children’s book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” through a different lens than most. For example, the first time I saw 1971’s “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” at the age of six, I wondered why the whole world would lose its mind over a contest where the prize was a visit to a chocolate factory. I lived a mere ten minutes from a chocolate factory, and even at that young age, the tour had gotten boring for me. Eventually I learned that the factory of the movie was a gorgeous and twisted place, and then I was able to enjoy the ride (with the possible exception of the nightmarish actual “ride”), but it took about half the movie for my disbelief to be suspended. All of this is to say that I went into “Wonka” with a high standard for how the chocolate would be portrayed. I wasn’t looking for accuracy, heck, I was just coming off an unreasonably crowded Saturday-in-December shift and needed a break from real chocolate. But I did need the chocolate to look good, to come off well so that people would leave the theater wanting more of it. The chocolate of the 1971 film looked absolutely scrumdiddlyumptious (a word that surprisingly passes my computer’s spell-check), but in the 2005 Tim Burton version, it looked distorted and inedible. Given those two extremes, it’s not shocking that the chocolate in “Wonka” falls somewhere in the middle, but given that it’s surrounded by an underwhelming movie, I wasn’t exactly in a hurry to return to work and use my employee discount. The movie follows young Willy Wonka (Timothée Chalamet) as he seeks to open his first chocolate shop. Standing in his way are the “Chocolate Cartel” of no-good rivals Slugworth (Paterson Jospeh); Fickelgruber (Mathew Baynton); and Prodnose (Matt Lucas), an on-the-take police chief (Keegan-Michael Key), and his indentured servitude to a pair of laundromat owners (Tom Davis and Olivia Colman). But he has help from his fellow “scrubbers” (Jim Carter, Natasha Rothwell, Rakhee Thakhar, Rich Fulcher, and breakout Calah Lane) and the lasting wisdom of his late mother (Sally Hawkins). He’s initially antagonized by a thieving Oompa-Loompa (Hugh Grant) but we know that the two will eventually end up allies and that Wonka will bring in all of Oompa-Loompaland to work in his factory in an arrangement that future adaptations will no doubt overcompensate to make clear is not slavery. Wonka himself is both a spectacularly great and terrible businessman. He’s pitifully naïve and bad at managing a budget, yet effortlessly charming as a salesman and knows chocolate so well that he can manufacture it seemingly by magic. The only time he ever has to worry about finding an ingredient is a sequence where he has to break into a zoo to get giraffe’s milk. And not only does the chocolate taste great, but it gives people superpowers like newfound self-confidence and the ability to fly. So yes, the chocolate comes off well, the movie has done its job there. I can’t say “Wonka” does its job well in every department. I’m still not sold on Chalamet as a leading man, especially compared to the brilliant Gene Wilder as the 1971 Wonka. This movie is so darn sweet that it lacks the naughtiness that made that version appealing. Grant is the only one who seems to be in the right spirit, and his performance is hampered by terrible CGI. And every one of the movie’s musical numbers is overproduced dreck, even the classic “Pure Imagination” is devoid of life. That said, it’s impossible to get too mad at a movie like this, one that the family can all agree to see together during the holidays. Grade: C “Wonka” is rated PG for some violence, mild language and thematic elements. Its running time is 116 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu

It’s arrived. The Holiday of holidays for many. The month-long season of excitement, fun and anticipation. But there is another perspective on the Christmas season, and it’s not one of joy and family. For many, it brings memories of long-past years, when they too had their special loved one with them. When together they readied their home - putting out all the decorations and cooking all the favorites of the family. Together they had braved the elements, and I’m not referring only to the cold weather. The inevitable Christmas rush in the stores was as much to be dreaded as the ice and snow just to get to the store. But it was all worth it. Nothing was going to keep them from having a Christmas to be remembered. But then. Life took a turn. Things changed and the following Christmas, and many, many Christmases after became… very different. No longer is it anticipated as the highlight of the year. In fact, what once was a fun sparkling celebration is now coated in shades of dull gray, as so many painfilled memories are tied to this particular season. “It’s time to pull yourself up by your bootstraps!” “Get out and go shopping and enjoy the lights and excitement.” “Quit wallowing in the past, and force yourself to look forward to the future that Jesus gave you when He came to be born at Christmas.” And so many more well-meaning phrases that are tossed in the pathway of the grieving. Phrases that usually hit a six-foot thick blank wall of nothingness. Friends and family members hurt badly when they see a loved one who is lost in their grief, unable to find their way out of that black maze where they are living. And they will earnestly attempt to motivate and rationalize, all in an effort to help bring life back to dull eyes, and a spring into the steps that are now dragging thru life. Trying to get that loved one to begin enjoying life again. If you have ever loved someone, then most probably you have experienced some of the above. Either as the one who has lost someone, or as the one who desperately is trying to help the hurting. The Bible in Ecclesiastes 3:4 says there is a time and season for everything, and that includes a time of grieving. And each of us does this on our own timetable. So, if the grief is yours, grieve. But know there is a time when it will begin to lessen. And if you are the faithful friend who is desperate wanting to help, be patient, loving and prayerful. Be there. Grief is a part of life, and it very often colors and discolors the holidays that follow, sometimes for an extended while. But don’t give up. Don’t assume that this is the way that the hopeless emotion of grieving is the way life is going to be until the day you die.

By Kara Kimbrough Christmas is almost here, so technically, your shopping needs to be complete. However, if you’re like me, there are always a few last-minute gifts to buy. Here are a few suggestions for the food-lover, home chef and traveler (and some may fit into all three categories) on your list. If you can’t find them before the big day, simply print a photo of the item from the internet, wrap it in a festive package and include a card with the disclaimer that the gift is “on its way.” They’ll be so happy with any of these gifts that it won’t matter that it’s a little late. Merry Christmas! 1.     Cuisinart 14-Cup 50th Anniversary Food Processor – One of the most used items in my kitchen is my Cuisinart Food Processor. When I have lots of vegetables to chop (think summer canning season), I simply can’t survive without a little help from this trusty appliance. In simple terms, it’s indispensable when I need to slice, grate, shred, dice and pulverize almost anything. The 50th anniversary model is a modern version of the old-school version that debuted in 1973. 2.     The Always Pan – Believe it or not, there’s now a pan that can do the job of 10 (yes, 10) pieces of traditional cookware. The Always Pan is deep enough to roast a chicken and shallow enough to fry an egg – it braises, sears, steams, strains, sautés, fries, boils, bakes, serves and stores leftovers – in short, it basically does it all. It’s also oven safe, perfect for stovetop-to-oven recipes. It’s a little pricey, but when you consider that it replaces several other pans, the price is justifiable. 3.     Rollink Flex 360° Carry-On Spinner Suitcase – Just when you think you’ve seen ever modern invention in the world of travel accessories, a new one comes along that blows all the others out of the water. If you’ve ever pushed a carryon bag while sprinting through the Atlanta Airport (and who hasn’t if you’re flying anywhere?) you know the value of one that’s lightweight and doesn’t create any more problems that you’re likely already experiencing.  Rollink created a lightweight, yet durable carryon that’s not only superior to any carryon I’ve ever had, but is also built with expandable sides that accommodate last-minute additions, then folds flat accordion-style for easy storage. To order, visit the website: www.rollink.com. My latest favorite Rollink product is a hardshell Tour Mini Bag that can be worn as a crossbody purse for easy access to items. Slash and cut resistant straps offer added protection while traveling. 4.     Countertop Ice Maker – The need for one of these now-indispensable kitchen appliances originated with the purchase of a new refrigerator with a larger-than-normal ice container. The solution? Remove the unwieldy container and purchase a countertop ice maker. Once I began using it, I wondered how I’d lived without one. Being able to quickly fill a cup with perfectly-shaped small ice cubes (there’s an option for larger cubes) is wonderful.  I’ve begun seeing them in offices, kitchens and even classrooms. Inexpensive models can be found at most major retailers for less than $100. 5.     The charcuterie board craze has been around for awhile now, but doesn’t appear to be going away any time soon. In my opinion, you can never have too many boards, ranging from small round ones to medium-size to a giant one for those impressive spreads. I’ve found several of mine at TJ Maxx and other discount stores. 6.     If you’re giving the gift of travel for Christmas or planning to treat yourself with a trip to New York City in 2024, there’s no better time to make a reservation than right now. Reservations can now be made for Hotel Week, set for Jan. 3 – Feb. 4. Hotel Week offers visitors the opportunity to save 24% at 150 hotels across the city. I’ll be attending a large travel writers show in January and have already booked the Hilton New York Times Square at a substantial savings. To make a reservation, visit: nyctourism.com/hotelweek. Speaking of last-minute life-savers, here are two of my favorite “saves” when a little something extra is needed for the Christmas dinner table. Mrs. Walters’ Fruit Salad (This is the recipe for the ambrosia served in the movie “The Help.” Actress Sissy Spacek, who played Mrs. Walters, the quirky mother of mean-spirited Hilly, ate fruit salad as she watched her soap opera during Hilly’s bridge party.) 1 small can mandarin oranges, drained 1 small jar maraschino cherries, drained 1 can pineapple chunks, drained 1 cup mini marshmallows 1 cup flaked coconut 1 (8 ounce) carton sour cream (supplement sour cream with scoops of Cool Whip if you want a sweeter taste) Mix all ingredients together. (You can add other favorite ingredients like strawberries, grapes and chopped pecans if you'd like). Refrigerate and chill before serving Pull-Apart Crescent Roll Christmas Tree 2 cans (8 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury Original Crescent Rolls (8 Count) 2 packages (5.5 oz each) garlic & herbs Boursin® cheese 1 tablespoon butter, melted 3 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese (more to taste) Heat oven to 375 degrees. Line large cookie sheet with cooking parchment paper. Separate dough into 16 triangles. Use kitchen scissors or knife to cut each triangle in half lengthwise. Spoon about 2 teaspoons cheese on shortest side of each triangle. Roll up each, starting at shortest side of triangle and rolling to opposite point. Build trunk by vertically placing two crescents side by side. Please remaining crescents next to each other in a tree-shaped pattern, pointed sides up, continually working your way up to make a pointed top. Bake 20 to 24 minutes or until deep golden brown. Brush with melted butter; sprinkle with cheese. Recipe adapted from Pillsbury.com Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer and travel agent from Mississippi. Email her at kkrpco@yahoo.com.