The Mississippi Farmers Market will host the Halloween Extravaganza 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 28. The Market will feature complimentary bags of popcorn, a photo opportunity for attendees to pose in their Halloween costumes, a variety of food trucks and unique vendors for shopping. The Market will also have pumpkins available to purchase for painting — paint will be provided at no extra cost. Shoppers are invited to wear family-friendly costumes. “I encourage everyone to join us at the Mississippi Farmers Market for our Halloween Extravaganza this Saturday,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson. “This seasonal event is a great way to celebrate the fall harvest. Our farmers have worked hard this year bringing bounty to the market, even during this harsh drought. Come out this Saturday to support our farmers while having some family-friendly fun." The Farmers Market Café, located inside of the Mississippi Farmers Market, is open 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every weekday and 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every Saturday. For daily menu schedules, visit the Farmers Market Café on Facebook. The Genuine MS® Store, also located inside the Mississippi Farmers Market, is open 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every Saturday. For additional information about the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce’s Genuine MS® program, visit www.genuinems.com or follow Genuine MS® on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The Mississippi Farmers Market, a division of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, is open 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every Saturday. For additional information about the Mississippi Farmers Market, visit www.msfarmersmarket.com or follow the Mississippi Farmers Market on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Join Central Hinds Academy for Red Ribbon Week, Oct 23-27. Take aim at a drug-free future and stand up against substance abuse. There are exciting events and activities in store!

WHO: JDRF Southern States Chapter, Mississippi WHAT: JDRF’s ONE Night Hope Gala, presented by Blue Cross & Blue Shield Mississippi, includes a cocktail reception, multi-course sit-down dinner, silent and live auctions, JDRF’s signature Fund A Cure – a program in which all funds raised go directly to T1D research, and The After-Party where guests enjoy drinks, dancing, late night bites and entertainment. WHEN: February 24, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at The Westin Jackson HOW: Buy tickets at www.jdrfonenightms.comor call (601) 981-1184 Gala Chair, Amber Davis, along with her committee are planning an amazing event for the 2024 JDRF ONE Night Hope Gala Saturday, February 24 beginning 6:00PM at The Westin Jackson. Fund A Cure family Forrest and Julie Johnson will be sharing their story during the evening. JDRF is accelerating life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat type one diabetes (T1D) and its complications. The event will include a cocktail reception, multi-course sit-down dinner, silent and live auctions, JDRF’s signature Fund A Cure – a program in which all funds raised go directly to T1D research, and The After-Party where guests enjoy drinks, dancing, late night bites and entertainment. Our goal this year is to raise more than $350,000 for research to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs for type 1 diabetes on the way to finding a cure for this disease. Every dollar raised will help lighten the burden on 1.25 million Americans with type 1 diabetes and help us realize our vision of a world without T1D. More than 100 JDRF Galas take place each year in the United States, bringing together thousands of people who are inspired by JDRF’s mission. As a signature JDRF fundraising event, the JDRF Gala Program has raised more than one billion for life-changing T1D research—research that has led to breakthrough discoveries, many of which have already moved into clinical trials and real-world testing. Although there has been considerable progress, there is so much more we have yet to accomplish. Event Schedule: Doors Open at 6:00 PM-Silent Auction Dinner 7:15 PM Program, Live Auction, Fund A Cure 7:45 PM to 9:00PM After-Party 9:00 PM to 10:30PM

By Bob Garver Taylor Swift is the single most powerful force in pop culture at the moment. Every other musical artist is eating her dust on the charts. Television, upended by writers’ and actors’ strikes, is only doing well with sporting events where the topic of conversation is Taylor and her possible relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. On the big screen, audiences’ summer fling with Barbenheimer has cooled off with no heir apparent… except for Taylor, of course. Her concert movie “The Eras Tour” doesn’t play by conventional rules. It doesn’t have the backing of a major studio. As of this writing, it is scheduled to only run for only four weeks. It only plays Thursdays through Sundays. It was officially announced only six weeks before its release, sending all competition running (“The Exorcist: Believer” forfeited a Friday the 13th opening to get out of its way). And it is still the theatrical event of the season. As far as box office records for concert movies, forget it, this one already blows everything else out of the water. Domestically, its opening weekend take of nearly $100 million already makes it the #1 of all time, beating previous record-holder “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never” by over $20 million. Worldwide, it merely has to roughly double its haul to take the crown away from “Michael Jackson: This Is It,” though some will say that the posthumous documentary doesn’t count as a “concert film.” My guess is that by this time next week, it isn’t going to matter. I saw the movie on a Thursday night, at a screening that was added just a day before. Because of the short notice, the large theater was uncrowded, with less than ten people in attendance. This could have made the film less enjoyable, since large crowds of passionate fans make for a wave of enthusiasm. But Taylor was thinking ahead and brought her own crowd. Okay, that’s not exactly true, but the in-movie crowd of screaming fans at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA more than adequately compensated for the lack of fans in the theater. By the way, that crowd deserves credit for keeping its energy up for the entire show. Cheering as loud as they do would have shredded my voice after about five minutes. From a technical standpoint, the movie does everything pretty much perfectly. Every image is crisp, every note is clear. Taylor usually takes up the whole frame, so even in smaller theaters, her presence is towering. On something like an IMAX, I’m sure she really is the monster she appears to be in the “Anti-Hero” music video. For better or worse, Taylor is in your face for nearly three hours. And the movie is loud. I imagine theaters were specifically instructed to crank up the volume at least a few notches. The night after my screening, I went back to the theater for another movie, and I must have walked past six houses that were blasting music from this movie. It was a weird experience, hearing that much Taylor Swift music in such short order. Did I enjoy the movie? I’m a casual Taylor Swift fan and I enjoyed the movie on a casual level. It makes for a heck of a party (even without a big crowd), and I cheered for my favorite hits (especially the third verse of “Anti-Hero”). But I also thought that it went on too long, and I’m in no hurry to spend that kind of time on it again. If you’re decidedly not a Taylor Swift fan and you got dragged to this movie by a partner, family member, or friend, you’re probably in for a long three hours. For the Swifties, enjoy your Taylor Swift concert, it’s everything you could possibly want. Grade: B “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” is rated PG-13 for some strong language and suggestive material. Its running time is 168 minutes. Reminder: the film only plays Thursdays through Sundays and is currently only scheduled for a limited engagement of three more weekends. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

In our country there are entire families who will suffer through a severe issue that eventually severs family relationships for many years. Eventually, someone might tentatively extend an olive branch, and another will cautiously reach out to accept it. Filled with anxiety, dread and hope, the family will then arrange to meet together for the first time in a long time. As everyone smiles and talks about a united future together, the past will never be brought up in the discussion. No attempt will be made to understand another’s point of view, no misunderstandings clarified, no apologies made. The issue will be left untouched, leaving important questions unasked and unanswered. Nothing will be finally understood, forgiven, and put to rest. Therefore, free-roaming imaginations will be permitted to misinterpret everyone’s future behavior. In other words, the dirt of the past is swept under the rug – out of sight, hopefully never to be seen or heard from again. But the problem is this; dirt is still dirt, even lying unseen under the family living room rug. It doesn’t just magically disappear. Nor does it somehow lose its power to be just what it is - ugly, hurtful, and always underfoot, with the ability to cause more misunderstandings and conflict in the future. So much safer, in the long run, for the family members to meet, greet, sit down together and begin the awkward process of getting everything out in the open. Always talking and listening with this in mind: “It is a mighty thin pancake that only has one side.” It is very difficult to try to understand the other person’s point of view when you are unwilling to listen with an open mind and a willing heart. And don’t let it become “Just the facts, ma’am, just the facts.” The discussion needs to include thoughts, emotions, and fears. That is real and honest communication – and given time, it can heal a family who is sick of the hurting and is willing to forgive and reconcile. Difficult? Sure it is. Along with scary. But well worth the effort. Ask a family who did that hard, scary work and is once again a caring and loving bunch. A bunch that has learned some hard lessons. a) Try to always communicate openly and fairly, unless you are willing and ready to suffer the long-term pain of a family split. b) And if a split does happen, be willing to set aside pride and assumptions that the other person is deliberately and totally in the wrong. c) Accept that you may not be sinless in this family crisis. You ain’t Jesus Christ. d) Forgive. Everyone including yourself, for your part in the entire mess. Family is too precious a commodity to give up easily. Think long and hard before you make the decision to angrily pack up your long-suffering pride, gather up your self-righteous skirts, and simply walk away.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is encouraging Mississippians to participate in the ‘Great ShakeOut’ earthquake drill on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at 10:19 a.m. During the self-led drill, participants will practice the three essential actions to take during an earthquake, which are to: DROP to the ground. Take COVER under a sturdy table or desk if possible, protecting your head and neck. HOLD ON until the shaking stops. Individuals and organizations can register for the ‘Great ShakeOut’ by visiting www.shakeout.org/. Once registered, participants will receive more information on how to plan their drill and additional earthquake preparedness tips. According to the Great ShakeOut website, over 14 million people have registered to participate in the United States, which includes over 362,000 Mississippians. Although only a small number of earthquakes have been centered in Mississippi, the state has been affected by numerous shocks from neighboring states, particularly along the ‘New Madrid Seismic Zone.’ This is why earthquake preparedness is crucial for Mississippians. For more earthquake preparedness information, visit our website.

By Kara Kimbrough Surveys listing each state's "most searched" recipe or food are often way off base when it comes to listing Mississippians' picks. Case in point: listing "turnips" as the most popular Thanksgiving dish in the Magnolia State was just wrong on many levels. But reading last week that the Smoky Mountains was Mississippians' "most googled" vacation spot made perfect sense. After reading the survey, I reminisced a bit about past trips to the Smokies highlighted by the fried apple pies at Pigeon Forge's Apple Barn. As a result, I made a batch of apple cider doughnuts...but that's another story. A little known fact about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park: it's the nation's most visited national park. Established in 1934, the park is comprised of over half a million acres of breathtaking mountain vistas topped with wispy clouds that resemble smoke (hence the name), hundreds of scenic streams and waterfalls, some of the nation's best hiking trails, modern campgrounds, picnic areas and much more. There are actually too many natural wonders to name and I'm missing some good ones...but I'll go out on a limb and say a can't-miss site is Cade's Cove. This peaceful 6,800-acre valley is surrounded by mountains and filled with wildlife (expect to see wild turkeys, deer and on occasion, a black bear or two) and well-preserved 18th and 19th century structures in the form of log cabins, churches and a working gristmill. Another awe-inspiring feature that should be on the itinerary of any trip to the Smokies is Clingman's Dome. At 6,643 feet, it's the highest point in the park and in Tennessee, as well as the third highest mountain east of the Mississippi. As a teenager on a church trip, I accepted the challenge to climb the very steep path that led straight up to the observation deck. At the time, it seemed like a 10-mile hike, but now I find out it was actually only half a mile. Once there, the trek is worth it; on a clear day, the deck offers views of up to 100 miles away, including of seven adjacent states. Another favorite activity is strolling at night along the quaint, yet modern downtown Gatlinburg streets lined with unique shops, attractions and restaurants. Adjacent cities of Pigeon Forge and Sevierville are also filled with plenty of things to see and do, all while taking in the unbelievable Smoky Mountains surrounding the area. I'd be remiss if I omitted the Apple Barn and Cider Mill in Pigeon Forge from the "must do" list of a Smokies vacation. Visiting the property containing an apple orchard, Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant, cider bar and best of all, unique general store offering homemade pies and numerous apple treats in a 1910 barn is one of my favorite memories of a trip to the Smokies. There's no shortage of apple treats to be enjoyed at the restaurant or general store, but my perennial favorite was - and remains - fried apple pies. With a side of fresh cider, there's really no better sweet treat. Bringing home a full-size homemade apple pie and a box of smaller fried pies was a requirement of any trip to the Smokies. I'm guessing the Apple Barn's fried pies fueled my obsession with apple strudel. A few years ago, I began making strudels every fall. A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to watch the ladies at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Gluckstadt prepare stacks of them in preparation for the church's annual Germanfest. As a result, I perfected my rolling technique. I also added apple cider doughnuts to my fall baking lineup, but strudel will always be my favorite fall treat. If a trip to the Smokies is on your bucket list and you need more information about where to stay and what to do, drop me an email and I'll share my travel tips with you. In the meantime, I'm passing on my favorite strudel, doughnuts and fried pie recipes. Besides cooler weather, what more could you ask for as we celebrate the fact that, "It's finally fall, y'all!: Germanfest Apple Strudel Crust: 1/4 pound margarine, softened 1/4 pound butter, softened 8 ounces sour cream 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour Dash of salt Filling: 1 cup applesauce 3 apples, peeled, cored and sliced 1/2 cup dark brown sugar 1/2 cup white sugar 1 teaspoon apple pie spice 4 tablespoons flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup chopped pecans Mix together the filling ingredients in a saucepan, stirring constantly. Cook until thick, about five minutes. Let cool. For crust, mix the margarine and butter in a bowl and add sour cream. Mix the flour and salt. Add to sour cream mixture and mix well. Refrigerate overnight. Divide into four parts and roll each part out on a floured pastry cloth to 12x15 inch rectangle. Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts 1-1/2 cups apple cider 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon apple pie spice 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 1 large egg, at room temperature 1/2 cup packed light or dark brown sugar 1/2 cup white sugar 1/2 cup milk, at room temperature 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract COATING: 1 cup white sugar 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 3/4 teaspoon apple pie spice 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted Reduce the apple cider: Stirring occasionally, simmer the apple cider in a small saucepan over low heat until you’re left with about 1/2 cup. Start checking at 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, etc until you have 1/2 cup (120ml). Mine takes about 20 minutes. If there are any spices or solids on top of your reduced apple cider, leave them. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray two doughnut pans with non-stick spray. Set aside. Make the donuts: Whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, apple pie spice and salt together in a large bowl. Set aside. Whisk the melted butter, egg, brown sugar, white sugar, milk and vanilla extract together. Pour into the dry ingredients, add the reduced apple cider and whisk everything together until smooth and combined. Batter will be slightly thick. Spoon the batter into the doughnut pans, filling about 3/4 of the way up. Bake for 10-11 minutes or until the edges and tops are lightly browned. If doughnuts bounce back when touched lightly, they’re done. Cool for 2 minutes then transfer to a wire rack. Re-grease the pan and bake the remaining batter. Coat the donuts: Combine the granulated sugar, cinnamon, and apple pie spice together in a medium bowl. Once cool enough to handle, dunk both sides of each donut in the melted butter, then generously in the apple spice topping. Leftovers keep well covered tightly at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Fried Apple Tarts 4 large tart apples, peeled, cored and slice 3 tablespoons water ¾ cup sugar ½ teaspoon cinnamon 3 cups flour 1-1/2 teaspoons salt 1 cup shortening 6-8 tablespoons ice water Cooking oil In a 2-quart pan, cook apples with water over medium heat until apples reach consistency of applesauce. Add sugar and cinnamon and continue cooking 5 minutes longer, stirring often. Remove from heat and cool. While apples are cooking, prepare pastry. Sift together flour and salt. With knives or pastry blender, cut ½ cup shortening into flour until shortening is pea-sized. Cut in remaining ½ cup shortening until about the size of navy beans. Gradually add ice water until mixture forms a ball. Wrap in waxed paper and refrigerate 20 minutes. On lightly floured board, roll out thin layer of pastry. Cut 6-inch circles, brush edges with ice water and place 2 tablespoons cooled apple filling on ½ of each pastry. Fold pastry in half and crimp edges with fork. Prick fork tines into top sides of pie. Cover bottom of frying pan with ¼-inch of oil and heat oil. Carefully place pies in frying pan, two at a time, and brown evenly on one side before turning to brown. Remove from pan and dust with powdered sugar. Yield: 1 dozen. Adapted from The Apple Barn Cookbook, Wimmer Brothers, 1983. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer and travel agent from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

When Mississippians set their clocks back an hour on Nov. 5, they’re also being reminded that school bus stops will be darker than usual—a seasonal transition that can pose hazards for children who are walking to and from their school buses. That’s why Mississippi Association of School Superintendents joins forces every October with schools, parents, law enforcement agencies and others to promote safe driving practices during National School Bus Safety Week, which will be observed Oct. 16-20. “Many children who ride school buses live in rural areas that lack streetlights, and less light means lower visibility,” said Phil Burchfield, MASS executive director. “We’re reminding motorists to be extra vigilant, obey all traffic and school bus safety laws, and ensure that kids return home safely to their families every day.” In recent years, MASS introduced the award-winning “30 Seconds Can Save a Lifetime” multimedia campaign to raise awareness about school bus safety by emphasizing the average time it takes for students to get on or off school buses at bus stops. Those are the moments when children are at greatest risk from the actions of other drivers on the road. Drivers in Mississippi are required to stop at least 10 feet from a school bus when it’s loading or unloading children. They must not proceed until all children have crossed the street, flashing red lights are no longer activated, and the stop sign on the side of the bus is retracted. In Mississippi, there are serious consequences for disobeying the law. In 2011, the State Legislature passed Nathan’s Law, named for a 5-year-old Jones County boy who was killed by a driver passing a stopped school bus. In addition to higher fines, motorists will be charged with a felony if their illegal action results in injury or death. The law also allows school districts to mount cameras on stop arms to help identify offenders. Mississippians Reminded to Practice Caution, Watch for Kids at Bus Stops Page Two Drivers can make school bus transportation safer for everyone by following these practices: When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch out for children walking or bicycling to school. When driving in neighborhoods with school zones, watch out for young people who may be thinking about getting to school but may not be thinking of getting there safely. Slow down. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood. Watch for children playing and congregating near bus stops. Be alert. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic. Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles. Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off. Motorists must stop and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop-arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving before they can proceed. “Kids and their parents are counting on motorists to slow down and be watchful, because one second of inattention or distraction can cost a life,” Burchfield said. “In every case, such tragedies are 100% preventable. Put your cell phones away, keep your eyes on the road and obey traffic laws. It’s that simple.” The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration publishes school bus safety tips for parents, students and motorists at https://www.nhtsa.gov. The Mississippi Association of School Superintendents and the Alliance of Educational Leaders of Mississippi is a non-profit association whose membership is made up of 139 public school superintendents and more than 2,000 public school administrators. Its mission is to provide resources, advocacy, leadership, policy information, training, support, renewal, and public relations services that improve the quality of public education. Learn more at www.superintendents.ms.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is encouraging Mississippians to participate in the ‘Great ShakeOut’ earthquake drill on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at 10:19 a.m. During the self-led drill, participants will practice the three essential actions to take during an earthquake, which are to: DROP to the ground. Take COVER under a sturdy table or desk if possible, protecting your head and neck. HOLD ON until the shaking stops. Individuals and organizations can register for the ‘Great ShakeOut’ by visiting www.shakeout.org/. Once registered, participants will receive more information on how to plan their drill and additional earthquake preparedness tips. According to the Great ShakeOut website, over 14 million people have registered to participate in the United States, which includes over 362,000 Mississippians. Although only a small number of earthquakes have been centered in Mississippi, the state has been affected by numerous shocks from neighboring states, particularly along the ‘New Madrid Seismic Zone.’ This is why earthquake preparedness is crucial for Mississippians. For more earthquake preparedness information, visit our website.

By Bob Garver The creative, commercial, and overall cultural impact of 1973’s “The Exorcist” cannot be overstated. Every Halloween, you’re bound to see and hear references to the film, from facsimiles of Linda Blair’s otherworldly-affected face to recreations of the iconic head-spinning scene to quotes of demonic threats that can’t be repeated here. The film spawned both sequels and prequels, none of which I’ve seen, but critical consensus indicates paled in comparison to the original. Now, a nice round 50 years after the original, comes “The Exorcist: Believer.” It pales in comparison to the original so badly that it’s worse than “pale,” it’s the putrid yellow color of the possessed girls’ flesh. Come to think of it, the phrase “beyond the pale” works very nicely here. 13-year-old Angela (Lidya Jewett) lives a disorganized life with her widowed, atheist father Victor (Leslie Odom Jr.). Her best friend Katherine (Olivia O’Neill) seems to have the more organized household with two Christian parents (Jennifer Nettles and Norbert Leo Butz). But both girls are at a rebellious age, so they sneak off after school one day to perform a ritual to contact Angela’s late mother. We’re not privy to what happens to them next, but their parents notice when they don’t come home that night. After a three-day, community-wide search, the girls are found in a barn 30 miles away from their school. The good news is that they’re healthy aside from some scarring, the bad news is that burning questions remain about what happened to them in those three days – and they don’t remember. The parents try to return the girls to their normal lives, but of course it’s not that easy. The girls hear nonexistent noises, they bleed terrible CGI blood, they attack people in cheap jump scares. Eventually they both have to be restrained at a hospital. Katherine’s parents believe demonic forces may be at work, but Victor just thinks they’re panicking. His nurse neighbor Ann (Ann Dowd) gives him a book on possession – written by Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn), the mother of Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair), the possessed girl from the first movie. He goes to visit Chris, who agrees to help. She confronts the possessed Angela for about a minute before being taken out of the action, if not out of the movie. To save the girls, the parents will have to do a proper exorcism. They’ll have to tie the girls to chairs and bring in at least four different religious officials. The local Catholic diocese insists on non-involvement, and there’s an eye-rolling subplot about a priest (E.J. Bonilla) and his willingness to help. Victor will have to get over his disillusionment with faith. It’s all typical exorcist-movie stuff, relying on a formula instead of recognizing a responsibility to write (or rewrite) the formula. Oh, and one character is definitely going to be a candidate for those “Biggest Idiots in Horror Movies” lists that are all over YouTube. They will be right at home alongside the mayor from “Jaws” and Paul Reiser in “Aliens.” The best thing I can say about “The Exorcist: Believer” is that some of the cast members are trying hard. I can’t find fault with the kids, Odom leans into his heavier scenes, Burstyn nails her cameo, and Ann Dowd, as always, steals the show. At first I thought her character was going to be the typical grouchy neighbor that gets killed early to illustrate that the evil entity is indeed dangerous (I have to be honest, even “M3GAN,” my favorite horror movie of 2023 so far, wasn’t above this lazy trope), but I was glad to see her stick around. But the film’s pacing, predictability, and special effects are a mess, and ultimately make this official “Exorcist” entry no better than any number of knockoffs of the classic. Grade: C- “The Exorcist: Believer” is rated R for some violent content, disturbing images, language and sexual references. Its running time is 111 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

No credit taken for this column’s title today. Before it hit File Thirteen, I read it on the front of a magazine that was promoting one of the articles inside and it stuck with me. Courage in a crumbling culture. Wonder what the original author actually said in his article? I don’t know for sure, but I’m going to assume it was along these lines: Folks, we are in trouble in our country. Everything we took for granted for years has changed, or is in the process of changing. Or being obliterated completely. Things like truth. We always assumed that truth meant actual unchangeable facts. Now? Not so, my gullible friend. Truth now is whatever the person wants it to be. And if the real meaning of truth is up for grabs, then there is absolutely nothing concrete we can stand upon. We have no bedrock foundation that can keep our culture firmly upright and stable, without wobbling, crumbling and finally collapsing. Obeying and depending on our God and Creator has also fallen by the wayside in the United States. Today people are worshipping and following something else – Self. Maturity and self-control that causes a man or woman to become a responsible citizen in our country has given way to “This is exactly how I feel and what I want to do, so I’m gonna do it. And besides, nobody ain’t the boss of anybody – so you or no &!@$* policeman is gonna stop me!” That belief has replaced doing what is right and good. Another concept lost is that of everyone doing steady ongoing work in today’s culture. Doing a day or a night’s worth of honest, responsible employment, week after week. Simply because bills have to be paid, kids need to be fed, and companies need trustworthy hard workers in order to keep our country thriving and strong. For a large portion of adults today, that thought is now only part of our dead and buried past. For them, work is basically for one purpose only. For self. To feed a habit, or to have enough money to party or travel. Far too many are viewing work as the short-term means toward doing what they want…right now. There is little thought given to committing - settling in and settling down with goals. That just ain’t fun enough. Courage today in this crumbling culture. You had better develop it, and in a big hurry. And it needs to be based on an unmovable foundation - called the Lord God and Creator. Because everything else is disintegrating quickly. The very foundations of our country and our world are wobbling and seem very close to following the prophecies found in Scripture. That everything will soon pass away. But not the Creator of it all. He alone will stand strong and undefeated when it’s all said and done.

By Kara Kimbrough It's the small things for me that trigger new ideas. Seeing “steak bites” on the appetizers’ menu of a restaurant I visited last week caused me to order the entrée-sized version for lunch. As expected, it cost more due to being accompanied by a salad and side dish. I wasn’t overly hungry and later realized I would have been happy with the appetizer version. And a few dollars richer. As a result, I compiled a list of favorite appetizers that, in slightly larger servings and in combination with 2-3 favorites, could suffice as a real meal. My thoughts were bolstered by a video posted on a food site of a home cook creating what she called “Appetizers for Dinner.” And the main dish? A casserole dish filled with tasty-looking, savory rollups. She didn’t call them “pinwheels,” (a silly name anyway), which elevated the dish from party food to dinner table fare. The power of suggestion is strong. Simply giving appetizers dinner-sounding names may be all that’s needed to convince your family that having “Your favorite fun foods for dinner!” is the best idea you’ve ever had. Since we’re in the midst of appetizer season courtesy of football tailgate gatherings – and the holidays with endless reason to serve bite-sized foods is just around the corner - I encourage you to try at least one of these “appetizers for dinner” recipes. Just serve portions that are a “little” bigger than normal, label them something fun and you’ll always have a backup plan for dinner when the thought of cooking another regular meal threatens to send you over the edge. Bon Appetit! Main Dish Rollups Bake (double ingredients if using booth sheets of puff pastry) 1 sheet of puff pastry (can use crescent roll dough; make sure to seal perforations; I prefer pastry) Chopped thinly-sliced roast beef, ham or turkey 8-ounce cream cheese, softened to room temperature ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese 2 tablespoons ranch dressing mix 1 egg, separated Let puff pastry thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Then unroll one sheet at a time on a flat work surface. Use a rolling pin to roll into a long rectangle. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Separate egg and reserve yolk for future use. Whip egg white with a whisk until foamy; set aside. Spread cream cheese lightly over pastry, they sprinkle ranch dressing mix over entire surface. Top with chopped meat and cheese. Roll the puff pastry dough into a log and trim edges so that they’re uniform. Wrap roll with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes. Repeat the same process with the second sheet of puff pastry if making a large amount. Remove the log(s) and cut it into slices 1-1/2 inch slices. Place slices in a greased glass casserole dish similar to cinnamon roll placement. Brush tops with egg white. Bake at 375 degrees for about 18 minutes. Big Bread Bowl of Beef Dip 8-ounce cream cheese, softened to room temperature 8-ounce sour cream 4-ounce can chopped green chilies 1-1/2 cups grated Cheddar cheese ½ pound of ground chuck, cooked and drained (can use jar or package of dried beef if you prefer) 1 loaf sourdough or Hawaiian bread (round version) Combine all ingredients except for bread. Hollow out inside of bread; reserve pieces for dipping. Spoon filling into hollow. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes on baking sheet. Cover with foil if bread gets too brown. Serve with reserved bread pieces, pita chips or crackers. Pulled Pork Nachos for Dinner 2 cups (or more) of pulled pork, cooked according to package directions (I use 15-ounce Jack Daniels Old No. 7 brand found in the fresh meat department of most supermarkets) 8 ounces tortilla chips (thick and sturdy variety) 8 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese or a mix of Jack and cheddar Salsa, to taste Guacamole, to taste Sour cream, to taste Chopped vegetables: tomatoes, lettuce and sliced japelenos Spread chips onto a large sheet pan in a single layer with chips overlapping, but not stacked. Line sheet with parchment paper with extra paper over the sides if you plan to transfer to another dish. Bake 3-5 minutes (depending on chip thickness) until lightly crisp. Top hot chips evenly in 3 layers: ½ of cheese, followed by pulled pork pieces, finishing with remaining cheese. Bake 5 to 7 minutes until cheese has melted. Top with favorite chopped vegetables and toppings. Loaded Smashed Potato Skins Bake (I love loaded potato skins, but this is so much easier than having to scoop out potato filling - just leave it in!) 1 – ½ pounds baby potatoes (red or yellow), washed and scrubbed really well until clean 4-5 tablespoons olive oil 1 cup Mexican blend cheese 4 slices of bacon (more to taste) Chopped chives Sour cream ½ teaspoon each: salt and ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika ½ teaspoon chopped chives Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cook bacon and crumble, set aside for later. Cook potatoes in boiling, salted water until fork tender. Drain the potatoes, blot dry and add to a bowl. To the bowl, add olive oil and seasonings. Toss and make sure each potato is evenly coated. Add potatoes to a greased glass casserole dish or parchment-paper lined baking sheet. Using a glass, lightly smash skins, but don't break them completely. Roast potatoes for approximately 15-20 minutes, flip and roast the other side for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until crisp. Watch carefully to make sure they don't get too crispy. When they are done to your desired crispiness, remove from oven, flip again so that most of the potato "filling" is showing and cover with cheese. Return to the oven for an additional 1-2 minutes or until cheese melts. Top with sour cream, crumbled bacon and chives and any other favorite toppings. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer and travel agent from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.