Mississippi's Primary Election Day is one week away. The August 8 ballot features statewide, state district, county, and county district offices. To familiarize yourself with the upcoming election, visit the My Election Day portal to receive election information tailored to your specific address. Polls for the August 8 Primary Election will open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. Any voter in line at 7:00 p.m. is legally entitled to cast a ballot. Problems at the polls observed by State observers or otherwise reported to our Elections Division will be referred to the authorities, including the Attorney General’s Office or the appropriate District Attorney’s Office. As a reminder, the Secretary of State’s Office has no enforcement authority over election-related issues. For elections questions, call the Elections Division at (800) 829-6786, email ElectionsAnswers@sos.ms.gov, or visit YallVote.ms. ELECTION DAY REMINDERS In-Person Absentee Voting Deadline: The last day to absentee vote in-person is Saturday, August 5. Circuit Clerk Offices will be open from 8 a.m. to noon. Mail-In Absentee Voting Deadline: All mail-in absentee ballots must be postmarked by August 8 and received by county Circuit Clerk Offices by August 15 in order to count. Voter ID Affidavit Ballot Deadline: Voters who cast an affidavit ballot by reason of voter ID must present an acceptable form of photo ID to their Circuit Clerk's Office by August 15. Polling Place Location: Visit the polling place locator on the My Election Day portal, or contact your county Circuit Clerk’s Office or local Election Commissioners to verify your polling place. Voter Photo ID: Voters are required to show photo identification at the polls. A voter without an acceptable form of photo identification is entitled to cast an affidavit ballot. Click here to view a list of acceptable photo IDs. Campaigning: It is unlawful to campaign for any candidate within 150 feet of any entrance to a polling place, unless on private property. Loitering: The polling places should be clear for 30 feet from every entrance of all people except elections officials, voters waiting to vote, or authorized poll watchers. Camera Phones: Voters are prohibited from taking pictures of their marked ballot.

By Mika Hartman This morning, I am writing this from the seventh floor of the Marriott in Orlando, in the quiet of my room; however, this weekend has been anything but quiet. The theme surrounding this years National Down Syndrome Congress Conference was “Dreams do come true…”. At each and every turn we were all witnesses to this theme. Families from all over the country and some from other countries, came together for this beautiful weekend to share dreams accomplished, dreams for the future, and discovering even new dreams. I was blessed to be able to attend the 51st NDSC Conference along with my daughter, Henley. Henley is 15; she has a pure and genuine heart and she loves her brother immensely. Having her as my sidekick for this has been such a delight. I can’t wait to see what opportunities like this do to shape her future, for many of the doctors and researchers here have been molded by their own experiences with having siblings with Down syndrome. These beautiful souls with an extra chromosome really shape the lives of their entire families. I, also, must mention the friendships she’s made over this four days. Lifelong friends with a commonality of our journey makes the tightest bonds. The toughest part of a weekend like this is choosing what sessions to join. Each child is a unique individual and a one size fits all class could never exist. So I always read the descriptions of the class and who is presenting to make my best informed decisions. What will help Hudson? What will help families I know? What will help me most? What will help Hudson’s therapists? The real answer is that all information is needed. Because of Hudson’s Law, a Down syndrome information law in Mississippi, I decided to attend the new updated guidelines for children and adolescents with Down syndrome published by the American Academy of Pediatrics. This session was designed to go over the guidelines of what should be checked by pediatricians. Here is a link to the American Academy of Pediatrics: Health Supervision for Children and Adolescents With Down Syndrome: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/149/5/e2022057010/186778/Health-Supervision-for-Children-and-Adolescents?autologincheck=redirected AAP Updates Recommendations for Care of Children with Down Syndrome I remember exactly the moment this publication was shared with me in 2022… there was a celebration that took place at my house. FINALLY, it was being told for the doctors to CONGRATULATE the family receiving the diagnosis. Seriously, this was just added in 2022. Below is what was the updated guidelines for bedside diagnosis: At diagnosis, immediate advice remains pertinent regarding the need to: • first, congratulate the family • have infant present; refer to infant by name • use a respectful bedside manner • time discussion after labor is complete and as soon as diagnosis is suspected (not necessarily confirmed) • have a support person present for mother, father, and family members as appropriate • use a cohesive, physician-led team approach Helpful discussion will include: • up-to-date, accurate information • a balanced approach rather than relying on personal opinions and experience • person-first language (ie, child with Down syndrome); • connection to other parents and resource groups • discussion of life potentials for people with Down syndromeShare with families the interplay within families and individual perspectives: • individuals with Down syndrome: nearly 99% indicated that they were happy with their lives, and 97% liked who they are and encouraged health care professionals to value them, emphasizing that they share similar hopes and dreams as people without Down syndrome; • parents: 79% felt their outlook on life was more positive because of people with Down syndrome; • siblings: 88% felt that they were better people because of their siblings with Down syndrome; • a majority of families report unanimous feelings of love and pride • positive themes dominate modern families Everything listed is exactly why “Hudson’s Law” was so easy to pass in Mississippi. Providing information with a person-first approach is a game changer for families. And the truth about Down syndrome is way more positive than what you’ll find when you research on your own. Moving this approach to a recommended guideline is everything. So being in the room when these word were spoken aloud to hear doctors sharing this news to the audience was a real moment of goosebumps and tears. Dreams do come true. And just as I thought they could not top this topic, my mind was blown with new information that I had no clue about…. Even thinking about it now, my heart is racing and my hands are shaking. This news was specifically about Hudson. Let me start by saying that Hudson was born with Transient Leukemia. This diagnosis affects 4-10% of children born with Down syndrome. Hudson had blast cells found at day one of life and was immediately provided a team of HemOnc specialists. Hudson, the strongest person I know, fought his leukemia with no medication and in 4 weeks time… the blast cells were gone. This was 5 years ago. At this time, the information provided stated that his leukemia has the biggest chance to return between the ages of 4-10. Hudson is 5. Looking forward to birthdays always had background noise; the wonderful to celebrate him, the worry of what we couldn’t see, but knew could be looming. For those of you reading this, the slide that came up stated this: -Increased risk of AML in the 1st 4 years of life (up to 30%). I thought I was going to scream! I left the room, ran to the bathroom and cried and cried. I put myself back together and went back in. Dr. Brian Skotko, one of the doctors on this panel and a real leader for research and new tools created, was sitting just in front of me. I asked him if we could talk after the meeting, that I had so many questions. He smile and said, “of course”. Pretty sure my feet were tapping 200 times per minute and no telling what my heart rate was? I remember telling myself to calm down, this could be about something else, Hudson may not apply to this. I was setting myself up to be real… but I was right!!! Hudson is through this part of his journey… Praise The Lord! Now we can get back to celebrating birthdays with no clouds and we can remove one blood draw off of our list. These are both extremely exciting for us. I dreamed of this day, I just thought it was years away. Dreams do come true. This conference was filled with so much information and so much love for this journey. I attended classes about dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and Autism. I attended a class about eyes and new developments. I sat in classes about speech, feeding, Down syndrome regression, Alzheimer’s, OT desensitization, advocacy bootcamp, potty training, aquatic exercise, and more. A very busy few days. I will write about more of some of these in the coming months. One this is clear, the research being done and the hope for the future in where it leads us, again proves that even unknown dreams will come true. Both Lily D. Moore (Hallmark’s Color My World With Love and Netflix’s Never Have I Ever) and Noah Matthews Matofsky (Disney’s Peter Pan and Wendy) were guest speakers at the opening ceremony. WOW! Both delivered speeches about dreams and how to make them come true; both are living lives that they dreamed of, visualized and were determined to live the life they want. Lily is in college and Noah is a leader in his inclusive school (just like his sister). They both are breaking barriers. And even as impressed as I am with these two role models to everyone, I was on the dance floor surrounded by Lily, Noah, Kayla, Brad, Raymond, Henry, Wesley, Abigail, David, Anna Brook, Courtney, Grace, Heather, Craig and so many more… all living dreams. The joy, the dance moves, the laughter and especially the love, all were reminders that each individual has dreams. No laws or people should ever stop someone from living them. You really want to know why you should be supporting your local Buddy Walk(s) and local organizations who support people living with Down syndrome? Knowledge is power for our loved ones, celebrating with them is everything and helping them achieve their dream(s) is one of the most important pieces. You can help. You are the difference. My family was given a $600 scholarship from Gulf Coast Down Syndrome Society. It was such a wonderful help. From fighting for needed change in D.C., to conferences like this, we will have spent over $10,000 this year alone. This fight is one we are dedicated to. This information is a must to learn. Even the updates, like the transient leukemia, are so important. It is hope. It is information we have to know to share in our communities and with our own doctors. Think about what I just told you! The amount of money it takes to even learn about what we need to know is, undoubtedly, out of reach for many on this same journey. When you support groups like GCDSS or CMDSS, you are helping families provide tools they need to navigate this journey. I know I am blessed, I also know that I don’t make it to everything that is out there. Even if a monetary donation is not something you can do, you can still share articles like this and show up to walk at Buddy Walk. GCDSS’s Buddy Walk is free to all, you can make a donation, or you can buy a shirt for $10… many ways to get involved. Come join Team Hudson The Strong, or any team, you can be a part of this revolution we are living. Help us achieve EXTRA big dreams for our EXTRA big dreamers. To join our team, go to Team Hudson the Strong Team Page for the Gulf Coast Down Syndrome Buddy Walk®

By Kara Kimbrough You don't need to watch the 24-hour weather reports with the gloom-and-doom reports of this being the "hottest summer on record." We get it...it's HOT! And along with that no-brainer knowledge comes the fact that turning on the oven for any length of time will just make things worse. In short, the kitchen's steaminess and extreme heat will transform into a Brazilian jungle just after a rainstorm. There's only one thing to do when mealtimes loom and that's to find no or minimal-bake meals. Luckily, I have a couple to help you survive the intermittable heat. After not opening a fantastic "Foil Dinners" cookbook for years, I began a desperate search to find it last week. Luckily, it was still on hand and provided a wealth of recipes to get me through Labor Day. And my trusty slow cooker book containing 1,001 recipes for every recipes known to man is never far from my sight. I found a couple of recipes that will help all of us eat well while surviving in record-breaking temps. But first, here are my tried-and-true summer meals that take minimal time to prepare and require very little cooking time: 1. Summer salad spreads - Don't say, "we're just having salad tonight," or you're likely to rebel. Instead, put a more creative spin on things. Place a gigantic bowl of chopped green salad in the center of a table, but don't stop there. Surround it with bowls of chopped chicken, ground beef, cooked shrimp or tuna for the main ingredient. Add offerings like chopped carrots, celery, onions and olives; surround those with bowls of favorite salad dressings, bacon bits, croutons and cheese and call it a "Salad Charcutire Board" or "Make Your Own Salad Night." EVeryone will be so busy creating their own masterpiece they'll forget to grumble about dining solely on salad. 2. That's a Wrap - I discovered flabreads a while back after taking a cooking class dedicated solely to the versatility of this often-overlooked bread. Flatbread, a thicker, chewier upgrade from pita bread, can be served straight out of the bag or brushed with olive oil and grilled lightly on the grill or crisped under an oven broiler. Either way, they're delicious. Use them to make light but filling wraps by spreading mayo, olive oil or salad dressing over each one, adding favorite meats and cheeses and rolling to combine all ingredients. Secure with a toothpick and serve to family members who'll focus on the combined flavors instead of the fact that they're having a light meal. As you might guess from the name, flatbreads are equally delicious served flat, topped with similar ingredients. 3. Sandwich on Steroids - I've written about this before, but it bears repeating. One of the easiest and most economical ways to prepare sandwiches is making your own - for lack of a better word- submarine sandwich. And, it will feed an army. Take a loaf of bakery sourdough or French bread, slice it lengthwise and remove a good bit of the bread from the top half. On a cutting board, chop together an entire package of uncured turky meat (you can use your own favorite) together with chopped lettuce and onions. This mixture goes into a bowl, where it's mixed with a little salt and pepper and liberal dose of Ken's Steakhouse Thousand Island Dressing (again, use your own favorite dressing). Once everything is combined, spread the mixture along the bottom piece of bread, add sliced tomatoes (add chese slices if you like them), replace the top piece and press lightly. Last, wrap the sandwich in Saran Wrap, wrap in foil and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Once the flavors have combined, use a serrated knife to slice sections as desired. Here are three recipes that'll ensure you not only eat well during Summer '23, but stay cool while doing so. Fish and Veggies in Foil 5-6 thin fish filets (redfish or tilapia) or a thin piece of salmon 1 onion, sliced into thin rings 1 pound thinly sliced vegatables (bell pepper, squash, cucumber, zucchini, mushrooms, tomatoes) 1 cup vegetable or olive oil 1/2 cup lemon juice Tony Chachere's Seasoning or a packet of seasoned garlic and herb soup mix Place fish on two large sections of heavy-duty foil. Top with vegetables, Tony's seasoning or soup mix, then drizzle 1/2 of oil-lemon mixture over each one. Bring foil up to wrap tightly, double-folding edges, leaving a sealed seam at the top. Grill or oven broil for 15 minutes until fish is flaky and vegetables are tender. Note: I add thinly-sliced potatoes, which take 15-20 minutes longer to bake. Makes 3-4 servings. Chicken and Vegetable Bowls 8-10 boneless skinless hicken breasts 2 14-ounce cans chicken broth 8 small new potatoes 1 package baby carrots 2 onions, sliced 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed Cup of bacon pieces (can use packaged variety) 1 teaspoon seasoning salt 2 tablespoons cornstarch Place chicken in sprayed Crockpot or use liner. Add broth, vegetables, bacon and seasoning salt. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 minutes. Combine cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water in bowl and stir into Crockpot. Cook for an additional 10 minutes. Serve in bowls over cooked rice or noodles - or serve solo. Serves 6-8. Kara Kimbrough is a food and writer writer and travel agent in MIssissippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

Circuit clerk offices will be open from 8:00 a.m. to noon for in-person absentee voting this Saturday, July 29. The last day to vote in-person absentee is Saturday, August 5. Circuit clerk offices will be open from 8:00 a.m. to noon. All mail-in absentee ballots must be postmarked by August 8 and received by county circuit clerk offices within five business days of August 8 in order to count. To track an absentee ballot or locate a circuit clerk's contact information, visit the My Election Day online portal. For questions regarding Election Day, contact the Elections Division at ElectionsAnswers@sos.ms.gov, call the Elections Hotline at 1-800-829-6786, or visit YallVote.ms.

Have you noticed that in these recent years, you really can’t believe anything anymore? If you see a photo on the internet, it’s most likely been doctored. Photoshop creates its own reality. Hear someone talking and you are absolutely convinced that you know who owns that voice? Better be careful before you place your bets on that. Voice-altering is real. Actually witnessed something with your own two eyes? What you saw may not necessarily be the truth, but simply a carefully constructed version to make you believe you saw the truth. And your feelings? Oh, believe me, they also lie to you! Emotions do not bother with the truth, and they certainly do not play fair. Facts mean very little to them. They can make you believe “She is actually doing this to me, on purpose. This is really happening!” When the reality was, hurting you was not her purpose at all. She just enjoys mindless talking. How do emotions lie to their owner? Scenario: A child grows up in a cold, lonely, abusive environment. No one truly cares whether she feels loved or not. She learns to cope with the pain by emotional closing off – from herself and from everyone else. No feelings are allowed inside her circle of one, so therefore, no pain there, either. Childhood shapes our adulthood to a large degree. So, as she gets older, she has enormous challenges in feeling compassion – for herself or for others. Frozen inside, she is convinced that nothing bothers her and nothing should bother anyone else either. Think this is actually true for that lady? That she feels no loneliness, anxiety, or depression? That her accepted emotional state of “I truly feel nothing, good or bad” is real? Of course not. She has been lied to. Her emotions are tightly locked away so that she can function in this world, and living this way is all she knows. Anger may be her one allowed emotion. It is her security, her safety zone. It very likely was her main companion growing up, and so it’s the one that she believes and trusts as real. There is a good chance that you have met this lady – or one who walks in her shoes. Or maybe, those same shoes are pinching your feet. If so, please realize this. You deserve a life bursting with more feelings than just the constant undercurrent of anger that can surge instantly within you. Emotions of joy, sadness, peace, anxiety, boredom, and yes, even anger when it is appropriate. You deserve to feel the whole spectrum of feelings that are supposed to come with living. Open yourself up to the possibility that there is more to living than always being in control. Tell yourself that you deserve to feel. That it won’t be near as scary outside your ‘circle of one’ as you think. Seek out a safe person and talk to them about this. Be open to learning to feel.

Our Central Hinds Varsity and JV Cheerleaders absolutely rocked the house on the final day of UCA Camp at Ole Miss!! Varsity: 1st in Cheer 2nd in Camp Dance Routine 3rd in Sideline Junior Varsity: 1st in Cheer 1st in Camp Dance Routine 2nd in Sideline

By Toni Miles Mississippi’s sales tax holiday is just around the corner and just in time for the 2023-2024 school year, giving local parents and guardians a much-needed break on the cost of school supplies and clothing. The sales tax holiday takes place from 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 28, to midnight on Saturday, July 29. It’s a temporary sales tax weekend, when the Mississippi Department of Revenue allows certain items to be purchased sales-tax-free at participating retailers within the state. The Mississippi sales tax holiday was passed during the state’s 2009 Legislative Session and was amended in 2019. During the holiday, sales tax is not due on the sale of articles of clothing, footwear, or school supplies, if the price of a single item is less than $100. The price of an individual item determines whether the buyer saves on the sales tax, not the total bill. This is good news for thousands of people throughout the state, as parents seek to save money on back-to-school shopping as the new school year begins. The tax holiday does not apply to sales of any other items not defined as clothing, footwear, or school supplies, nor does it apply to rentals. In addition, articles that are normally sold together, such as a pair of shoes or a uniform, must continue to be sold as a set or a single unit. Components of the unit cannot be priced separately and sold as individual items in order to qualify for the holiday. Likewise, if a retailer advertises a pair of pants as “buy one, get one half off,” with the first pair of pants priced at $120 and the second pair half off, then sales tax is due on the first pair priced at $120, though the second pair ($60) would not be subject to sales tax. Retailers may offer store discounts and store coupons to reduce the price of an eligible item to or less than $100 in order to qualify for the holiday, with the exception of manufacturers’ coupons or rebates, which do not reduce the sales price of an item. Sales of eligible items that are placed or ordered by mail, telephone, or the internet are not subject to sales tax, provided the purchaser orders and pays for the items during the sales tax holiday and the items are less than the $100 threshold. Layaway sales of eligible items do not qualify for the holiday, and eligible items purchased during the sales tax holiday using a rain check qualify for the holiday only if the rain check is redeemed during the sales tax holiday. If it is redeemed after the holiday, the purchase is subject to sales tax. If an eligible item was purchased during the sales tax holiday and returned after the holiday for credit on the purchase of a different item, sales tax will be applied to the sale of the newly-purchased item. In other words, in Mississippi, sales tax-exempt items that meet the requirements and that are purchased during the two-day holiday will not include Mississippi’s seven-percent sales tax, which equates to seven-percent savings, or seven cents of savings on each dollar spent. Definitions “Clothing” is any article of apparel designed to be worn on the human body, including pants, shirts and blouses, dresses, coats, jackets, belts, hats, undergarments, and multiple-piece garments sold as a set. “Footwear” is any article of apparel for human feet, except for skis, swim fins, roller blades, skates, and any similar items. “Accessories” defined as jewelry, handbags, luggage, umbrellas, wallets, watches, briefcases, and similar items, do not qualify for the sales tax holiday. “School Supplies” means items that are commonly used by a student in a course of study. Eligible and Non-Eligible Items The sales tax holiday will apply statewide to all consumer purchases of clothing, footwear, and school supplies with sales prices of less than $100 per article during the sales tax holiday. Guidelines: $100 Threshold The Sales Tax Holiday applies to each eligible item selling for less than $100, regardless of how many items are sold at the same time. Items priced at $100 or more are subject to sales tax at the regular retail rate of seven percent. Rentals of Items Rentals of clothing and footwear do not qualify for the Sales Tax Holiday and are subject to a seven-percent sales tax. Items Sold as a Unit Articles that are normally sold together, such as a pair of shoes or a uniform, must continue to be sold as a set or a single unit. Components of the unit cannot be priced separately and sold as individual items in order to qualify for the holiday. However, if components of a unit are normally priced as separate items, then they may continue to be sold as separate items and qualify if the price of the article is less than $100. Pairings of Eligible and Non-Eligible Items When eligible items are normally sold with non-eligible items as a set or a single unit, the full price is subject to sales tax if the value of the non-eligible (taxable) item exceeds the eligible ones. Buy One, Get One Free or For a Reduced Price The total price of items advertised as "buy one, get one free" or “at a reduced price" cannot be averaged to qualify both items for the holiday. The amount of sales tax due depends on the actual price paid for each item sold. PDF List of Items

By Sarah Ulmer, Magnolia Tribune This weekend, Mississippi shoppers can enjoy a tax-free holiday, just in time for those back-to-school clothes, shoes, and supplies. Dawn McVea, NFIB State Director for Mississippi, says this weekend is a great chance for customers to make purchases that will also help local businesses. “When you support Main Street businesses, you’re supporting Mississippi’s job creators,” said McVea. “You’re supporting the businesses that do so much to support their communities throughout the year.” Small businesses account for 99.3% of Mississippi’s businesses, according to the 2022 Small Business Profile. The holiday was implemented after the Mississippi Legislature passed a bill in 2009 that was later amended in 2019. The tax exemption on certain items applies to purchases made in person, by mail, telephone or internet. However, there is a $100 cap for single item purchases. Senator David Parker (R), who Chairs the Economy and Workforce Development Committee in the Senate, has been a supporter of tax breaks across the board. He said this holiday is a chance to provide a financial break for families in a particularly expensive time of year. “Certain times of the year predictably add financial burden to a large portion of our Mississippi population. One of these times is the start of school after summer break,” said Parker. “Lt. Governor Hosemann, myself, and my fellow legislators are happy to offer a tax-free weekend as so many are making plans to return to school and to work in our schools.” Parker went on to add that he and other members of the Legislature hope to continue to offer further breaks in taxation over the coming years. While inflation and labor quality continue to be concerns for small businesses, weekends like the tax-free holiday offer a boost in sales as consumers take advantage of the tax relief. “Inflation has taken a toll on Mississippi’s families, and it’s taking a toll on its small businesses, too,” McVea said. “By shopping small this weekend, you’ll help the local economy. You’ll support the businesses owned by your friends and neighbors. You’ll help local businesses that sponsor our children’s sports teams, support local charities, and are always there for their communities.” The holiday will take place from 12:01 a.m. on Friday to midnight on Saturday, July 29. To learn more about the Sales Tax Holiday in Mississippi, click here to see the Official Guide from the Mississippi Department of Revenue.

By Kara Kimbrough Here's a little-known fact - many of the recipes we use today -or at least variations of them - originated during the dismal decade between 1929 and 1939, better known as the Great Depression. Prior to this time, many in the U.S. "lived off the land," feasting on home-grown vegetables and farm-raised beef, chicken and pork. Many lost everything in the Depression, causing them to be more resourceful in the kitchen when it came to feeding their families. As a result, recipes for hundreds of varieties of soups, potatoes fixed 1,000 different ways and edible cakes lacking milk, sugar and eggs became a necessity to keep from starving during the lean years. Thankfully, we're living in more prosperous times. However, several old-fashioned foods from a bygone era have resurfaced on restaurant menus and on family dinner tables. This could be due to nostalgia-based memories of a parent or grandparent serving the dishes in the past...maybe to save money in a fluctuating economy... or possibly because most of these dishes are simply delicious. Here are a few Depression-era foods and dishes that may be worth reviving for your family: 1. Navy Bean Soup. It's easy to understand why beans were a staple during leaner times. They're cheap, easy to prepare and one pot will feed an Army. Beans were the main ingredient in many Depression dishes, especially soup. Today's version is a bit more tasty, filled with ham, carrots, onions and garlic. Speaking of the Army, the soup got it's name during World War II, when Navy ship cooks found it was the perfect dish to feed the thousands of hungry sailors aboard the massive vessels. It's still just as good today as it was nearly 100 years ago. 2. Potato Soup. I was surprised by this entry, because, well, potato soup never really went out of style. However, poor families' version was little more than boiled potatoes topped with hot water. Today, we load ours with chopped bacon, heavy cream, cheese and anything else that's fattening and good. Suffice to say, it's a lot better today than it was back then. 3. Old-Fashioned Cornbread. I know what you're thinking - cornbread never went away. But hear me out of this entry. Cornbread used to be a staple on every table in America, dating back to the Pilgrims, probably. However, as the years passed, cornbread shortcuts became more prevalent. Picture the little blue box labeled "Jiffy Mix," and you'll see where I'm going. Cornbread of yesteryear was composed of cornmeal, water, salt and a little hard to season the skillet. After all, milk, eggs and flour were scarce, especially during WWII. Today, rich cornbread is showing up in fine restaurants, albeit in cute little black skillets. However you make or serve it, cornbread is a side that should never again be allowed to go out of style. 4. Potato pancakes. As I said, potatoes were the savior of the Depression years and other lean times. In short, they kept many families from starving. But don't get the idea Americans discovered the fancier version of boiled potatoes. Recipes for potato pancakes were brought over from the Old Country by immigrants from Germany, Switzerland, England and Poland, Sure, they were called by other names, but had one commonality with our version. Most were made with shredded potatoes held together with flour, baking powder and eggs, then flattened and fried to a crispy brown color. Somehow they slipped into obscurity, but they're back and I hope they stay. 5. Chicken and dumplings. Like me, I hope you have fond memories of a large bowl of steaming chicken and dumplings being placed before you on the Sunday dinner table. This dish used to be a staple in any proper Southern cook's repertoire, but all the mixing, rolling, cutting and boiling was eschewed by modern cooks. Thankfully, they've made a comeback, as they should have. Once you get the technique down pat, dumplings are not hard or really that time-consuming to make. And as we all know, they're worth it in the end. I discovered quite a few food items that were created in the 1930's and never disappeared. These include Toll House cookies, lemon, chocolate and coconut meringue pies and Parker House Rolls. It's easy to understand why they never left us. Most likely, they'll still be around to feed those that arrive in the next century. Here's a recipe for a chill-slice-and-bake cookie recipe that became popular almost 100 years ago when the first electric refrigerator became a fixture in many American homes. Mixed together in mere minutes and baked in 8, like the refrigerator, they're one of the best inventions of the previous century. 8-Minute Butterscotch Refrigerator Cookies 1/2 cup butter 1 cup brown sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 cup chopped nuts Cream butter and sugar, add egg and vanilla and mix well. Mix baking powder with flour and add to creamed mixture. Stir in nuts. Roll in waxed paper and refrigerate until firm. Storing the roll in the freezer works well, too. Slice and bake 8 minutes or until lightly browned in a 375-degree oven. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. She is also a travel agent. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

By Bob Garver “Barbie” prides itself on inspiring a full range of feelings – both in its characters and its audience. The characters tap into dark, sad sides they never knew they had, and they find out life is more rewarding for it. The audience is sure to eat up all the easy jokes and sweetness, sure, but they’re also supposed to appreciate the film for its psychological depth and hard-hitting social commentary. Perhaps it’s appropriate that I have a broad range of feelings toward the film. I think there are portions that work very well, and there are entire storylines and characters that could be cut. There are jokes worth laughs, and jokes worth a cold stare. Some of the film’s insights opened my eyes, others made me roll them. But at least the movie is ambitious enough to attempt so many jokes and insights. Barbie (Margot Robbie) lives in Barbieland with every other Barbie ever created. Most have careers, like President Barbie (Issa Rae) and Doctor Barbie (Hari Nef) and more, but Robbie is Stereotypical Barbie, whose life has no purpose except to be perfect. Equally bland is Ken (Ryan Gosling), whose only traits are that he enjoys the beach and pines after Barbie. He and the other Kens (Simu Liu, John Cena, and more) and one guy named Allan (Michael Cera) are happy to let the Barbies run things while they live like second-class citizens. In fact, everyone in Barbieland is happy all the time, until one day when Barbie is suddenly unhappy. She goes to see the wizened Weird Barbie (Kate McKinnon), who sends her on a quest to the real world to find the source of her nagging thoughts of death and cellulite. Ken comes along, and both are shocked by what they find. Barbie discovers that she’s not the feminist icon she thought she was, as despite the disparate models and careers, the entire toy line is still considered pretty vapid. Ken learns that most of the world is run by a patriarchy, and that seems to be working out pretty well. Barbie visits Mattel headquarters, where the CEO (Will Ferrell) wants her to return to the status quo, but she’s not sure that’s what she wants anymore. She escapes with the low-level employee that’s been affecting her mind (America Ferrera, who gets an amazing monologue late in the movie) and her cynical daughter (Ariana Greenblatt). Together they all return to Barbieland, where they have to stop the newly-power-hungry Kens and… learn to get more out of life, I guess. Admittedly, I’m not doing the story much justice, but in fairness, neither does the movie itself. Writer/director Greta Gerwig knows that she wants a number of story beats and ideas explored. But they aren’t tied together smoothly. For example, to what degree are the characters supposed to be literal dolls? Sometimes they move like normal humans, other times they’re affected by a lack of joints (and a lack of other body parts too, don’t think the movie isn’t going to address “that”). Why has it taken decades for certain concepts to reach Barbieland, and why now? What effects do Mattel and Barbieland have on each other, exactly? The movie dismisses these qualms in the laziest way possible, with a joke that follows the structure of “Is it A or is it B?” “Yes!” Frankly, I think the entire Mattel portion of the film could have been cut and Gerwig should have come up with another way for Barbie to have an important conversation with creator Ruth Handler (Rhea Perlman). For all its flaws in world-building, “Barbie” is still an incredibly fun movie. The hot-pink-heavy color scheme is as gorgeous to people who like it as it is nauseating to people who don’t (but I do). The jokes usually work, especially when they’re not deliberately stupid or smutty. Most notably, Robbie, Gosling, and the entire team are clearly having a blast. And you will too, especially if you can catch this movie soon while the theatrical experience is still a big party. Grade: B- “Barbie” is rated PG-13 for suggestive references and brief language. Its running time is 114 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

In order to accommodate busy parents gearing up for the new school year, the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) will host a one-stop shop for required school entry/registration forms. This special two-week event will allow parents to get a copy of their child’s Form 121 (shot record) if the child is up to date on immunization requirements, as well as their birth certificate, at the same time and same place. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, July 24 – Friday, August 4 MSDH Office of Vital Records 222 Marketridge Drive, Ridgeland (Off Highland Colony Parkway) Parents must provide their child’s school with a Certificate of Immunization Compliance (Form 121) from their immunization provider prior to school entry. The child’s birth certificate is also required for school registration. During this One-Stop Shop event, the child’s Form 121 will be available for free if the child is up to date on immunization requirements. Certified copies can also be printed through www.MyIRMobile.com. Birth certificates will be available the same day for $17; each additional certified copy is $6. Mississippi state law requires children to be immunized against childhood diseases to enter public or private school, Head Start or daycare. There are also required immunizations for 7th grade entry. For more information on immunization requirements or exemptions for school entry, visit msdh.ms.gov/immunizations. Immunizations are available at county health departments by appointment. Follow MSDH by email and social media at HealthyMS.com/connect.

The Mississippi Farmers Market will host Sliced into Summer 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, July 29. Alongside usual vendors who carry produce, eggs, meat, dairy products, honey, flowers, artwork and plants, the Market will feature complimentary watermelon slices; Back to School lunchbox bundles; a photo opportunity with the 2023 Watermelon Queen; and kids’ activities. “Join us at the Mississippi Farmers Market for our Sliced into Summer event this Saturday,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson. “We’ve got the 2023 Mississippi Watermelon Queen, Saylor Sullivan, who will be joining us from Mize for pictures and Mississippi-grown watermelon for everyone to enjoy. Come experience the benefits firsthand of shopping and supporting local producers.” 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 and 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on select Thursdays. For additional information about the Mississippi Farmers Market, visit www.msfarmersmarket.com or follow the Mississippi Farmers Market on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.