By Alfenette Robinson Landon Perkins age 6, a student at Clinton Park Elementary School, was issued his first library card by the Annie Thompson Jeffers Library in Bolton. His parents are Jermaine and Whitney Perkins. His favorite book is Bath time for Biscuit and his favorite library is the Annie Thompson Jeffers library. Everyone is encouraged to get their very own library card. Through access to technology, media resources, and educational programs, a library card gives students the tools to succeed in the classroom and provides people of all ages opportunities to pursue their dreams and passions. Adults can find continuing education resources, local history, and genealogy resources, book clubs, and engaging programs.

While electronics make common gifts this holiday season, Waste Management reminds the community that lithium batteries pose a serious problem when disposed of improperly. Lithium batteries are increasingly causing fires in the waste and recycling stream. These batteries can be embedded in electronics such as cell phones, laptops, games and toys, Bluetooth headphones, power tools and e-cigarettes. They can be stand-alone batteries that resemble standard alkaline batteries such as AA, AAA, and D cell batteries. Presently, all lithium batteries can cause fires when damaged, even if they can no longer hold a charge. "Waste Management requests that the community please remove lithium batteries from toys, tools, electronics, etc. and seek a recycling outlet before placing these items in curbside bins or in their container for refuse pickup. We urge the community to check their local government for recycling options," said Tony Franco, area safety manager. Waste Management makes safety a priority when handling community waste. By working with our customers and exercising additional vigilance around battery disposal, we hope to reduce the risk of fires in our trucks, machinery, and disposal / recycling facilities.

By Kara Kimbrough As the year draws to a close, the word “inflation” is on everyone’s lips. A quick spin around the supermarket will convince you prices are a little crazy. It’s hard to believe I paid $6 for a dozen eggs this week, but that’s where we’re at for the foreseeable future. Grumbling aside, shopping locally, including at small supermarkets, is still the best way to go. The same goes for local, family-owned restaurants. More money stays within our local communities when we support these businesses than if we send it off to parts unknown. So, let’s do our part to dine and shop locally for food whenever possible in 2023. Without further ado, here’s my annual list of favorite new supermarket products and memorable restaurant meals of 2022 to get you started: 1. Dave's Killer Bread Epic Everything Organic Breakfast Bread – Dave’s bread is not a new addition to my annual favorites list. I love just about every product, but his latest creation filled with 9 grams of whole grains per serving just moved to the top of the list. 2. Mario’s Chicken Parmesan – I’ve already extolled the many virtues of this Hattiesburg eatery, but have since found a dish that surpasses the spaghetti and meatballs. I sampled a similar dish of chicken parm at Carmine’s in New York City that I thought couldn't be replicated. Mario’s version comes close – and in fact, may equal – Carmine’s world-famous version. Mario’s creation consists of a massive crispy chicken breast smothered with delicious red sauce and cheese on an equally impressive bed of pasta. With their famous homemade garlic rolls and a salad topped with Comeback-style dressing, it’s easily one of the best meals in Mississippi. 3. Eggo Grab & Go Liége-Style Waffles– I can’t count the number of times I’ve attempted to drive while eating a toasted waffle topped with “just a little” syrup only to end up at my destination and smelling like syrup. Eggo has come up with a genius – and delicious – way to diffuse the problem. This new waffle, designed like the Belgian variety, was baked with maple syrup in the dough, eliminating the need for syrup. Genius! 4. Taranto’s Fried Shrimp Po’boy – Like Mario’s, I’ve written about this Biloxi eatery tucked away in the Woolmarket community. Offering old-Coast ambiance and similarly-prepared dishes, I’ve never had a bad meal anytime I’ve stopped by. The ribeye po’boy comes close, but doesn't surpass the perfectly-prepared shrimp po’boy with a side of delicious gumbo. 5. Dolly Parton's Southern Style Coconut Cake Mix – You just know anything created by Dolly is going to be good. Duncan Hines’ cake mix with the flamboyant singer’s face and name on the box doesn’t disappoint. A light and fluffy cake is the end result – and even if it’s not “exactly” homemade, who can resist a Dolly cake? 6. Happy Steak at Jose’s Restaurant and Grill – I’ve been open about the fact that Mexican is far from my favorite cuisine. However, all reservations disappear anytime I order this dish at the bustling eatery near Walmart in Magee. Tangy bites of grilled steak are tossed with sautéed onions, peppers and other vegetables and served over Spanish rice with a light white cheese sauce. Coming in a close second is Jose’s shrimp and grits. 7. Country Crock Plant Cream – I recommend this vegan product, but not for the obvious reasons. Yes, it’s perfect for the lactose-intolerant among us, but finding heavy cream in the dairy case to thicken soups and sauces can sometimes be challenging. It’s the perfect substitute and unlike some vegan products, passes the taste test. 8. New England Shrimp Roll at Shaggy's on the Rez - Disclaimer: this amazing sandwich was part of Shaggy's limited World Tour menu this summer. I'm hoping it makes a return in 2023, but in the meantime, you won't go wrong by ordering anything at this multi-story restaurant offering stunning view of the Barnett Reservoir. Favorites include the shrimp po'boy, snapper platter, royal reds with sausage and potatoes and Shaggy's famous cheeseburger. 9. Rao's Homemade Bolognese Tomato Sauce - So far, I've only been able to find this variety of Rao's line of jarred pasta sauces at Fresh Market at Ridgeland. Served over Garofalo bucatini pasta (also found at Fresh Market), it's one of my favorite comfort meals on all time. 10. Philadelphia Whipped Cream Cheese Garlic & Herb – The charcuterie board craze doesn't appear to be disappearing anytime soon. Most contain some type of spread, usually cream cheese, but that can be a little boring. Taking things up a notch is this tangy product, perfect for spreading on bagels, crackers and using as a sandwich filling. As we close out 2022, I send my thanks to each of you for reading and responding to my columns with positive words, suggestions and an email here and there to say hello. Please continue to stay in touch and share your ideas and discoveries throughout the year. Although I don’t believe in “luck,” it’s fun to eat this dish filled with black-eyed peas and rice – just two of the items Southerners believe will get the New Year off to a great start. With sides of pork and cabbage, it can’t hurt – right? Happy New Year! ‘Lucky’ 2023 Hoppin’ John Two cups black-eyed peas, cooked Two cups rice, cooked Two tablespoons butter Small onion, chopped Small red or green bell pepper, chopped ¼ teaspoon garlic powder Salt and pepper to taste. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic powder and cook for five minutes. Add cooked peas and rice and cook an additional 10 to 15 minutes, stirring to thoroughly combine all ingredients. Note: This is a great way to recycle leftover black-eyed peas on Jan. 2! Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

Nowadays, identifying with a gender-and deciding to be that gender- rapidly seems to be becoming the norm. Some parents have decided, and actually encourage very impressionable young Juniors and Juniorettes to choose for themselves who and what they are. Nothing based on biological anatomy, but simply upon, “This is what I think and feel, therefore I am.” Sure, we all want to act on what we think and feel. That is a natural tendency, as self-absorbed human beings. But does that make it okay with the Creator? The Bible is full of examples of people wanting to behave a certain way that wasn’t in line with what God wanted. And later on, finding they didn’t like the consequences of acting on their impulses. Folks, think for a minute. Since when have we decided that we know more than the One who created us? Why would we let our emotions, our thoughts, and our situation determine how we live our life? Since when has our feelings become Truth? Just because someone decides to act upon a decision they have made, that doesn’t mean that their decision is based in truth. Just because a person states, “It’s my truth” doesn’t make it true. And it certainly doesn’t make the possible consequences of that decision any less negative. For example, if I decide that I identify with camels and therefore I can live without water for the next fourteen days, that does not mean that I can do that. The consequences of that decision will be negative, I assure you, no matter what I choose to believe. No matter how much water I do not drink during that time, I will not be a camel. Just a super-dehydrated, very ill at best, human being, in need of someone to help me understand that my decision to identify with camels, and not people, was ill-conceived. Oh, yes, we definitely are free to make choices. But we need to fully understand that when it is not a good choice in the eyes of our Creator, we will not like what happens in the aftermath. Just because someone makes a decision does not mean it’s right, plausible, possible, or allowable in the eyes of our Creator. Our Creator…. those very words carry all the weight. The weight is not in what you want to believe – contrary to what you want to believe. He gets to make all the choices, when it comes to gender. A person can make all the decisions for his life, according to what he believes. True statement. But another true statement? There will be consequences, good or painful, that will happen from those decisions. Because the Creator is alive and well, and He alone has the right and the ability to bring consequences that He knows fits our decisions.

By Bob Garver We were first introduced to dashing animated feline Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) in “Shrek 2” all the way back in 2004. The character appeared in two more “Shrek” sequels before headlining his own self-titled movie in 2011. Now comes “The Last Wish,” a sequel that depends on audiences still caring about the character after more than a decade out of the limelight. The film’s disappointing box office over Christmas weekend ($17 million domestic, barely half of what the first solo film did on Halloween weekend in 2011) indicates that he no longer has his former drawing power. But having seen the film, I say that he should. The new film opens with a classic Puss in Boots adventure: Puss throws a party at the home of an uptight governor and saves a village from a rampaging cyclops. Things are going great until he gets killed. End of movie. Just kidding, he’s a cat, he has nine lives. Problem is, that was life number eight. If he gets killed one more time, he’ll die. After a close call with an apparently-bounty-hunting wolf (Wagner Moura), he decides to retire to the home of a cat hoarder (Da’Vine Joy Randolph). A life of pet food and litter boxes isn’t for him, and he’s further annoyed by an unsuccessful therapy dog (Harvey Guillen) hiding out among the cats. He’s soon clued-in to a race to steal the mythical Wishing Star, which grants a single wish to whoever can get to it first. He can wish for his nine lives back! He could also wish for unlimited lives, but the point is – magical quest! It’s a magical quest where he has to drag along the clingy therapy dog, but a quest nonetheless. Also in pursuit of the star are former lover and current rival Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek), pie magnate and magic collector Big Jack Horner (John Mulaney), and the Goldilocks and the Three Bears Crime Family, consisting of Goldilocks (Florence Pugh), Papa Bear (Ray Winstone), Mama Bear (Olivia Coleman), and Baby Bear (Samson Kayo). Goldilocks and the Three Bears have such a fun dynamic and chemistry that I’d like to see them get their own spinoff. Sadly that’s unlikely with this film’s underperformance, but what we get of them here is delightful. What we get of everyone here is delightful. The cast is filled with actors that are funny every time they open their mouths. This is especially true of Banderas, who exaggerates his voice so much that I was laughing even when he was delivering straight lines. The writing is funny too, with some endearingly dark humor. The highlight of the film is a montage of Puss’s deaths, handled in a family-friendly, “Haunted Mansion” sort of way. The therapy dog steals the show, with his unbridled positivity in the face of a lifetime of bullying. Real bullying isn’t funny, the character’s attitude in spite of bullying is. And it should go without saying in a movie about animated cats and dogs, but the film’s cuteness level is raging. “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” may not be the strongest of adventure movies. The characters’ motivations don’t always make sense (too many are frustratingly unambitious with their wishes), the story follows predictable beats of reluctant alliances, betrayals, and forgiveness, and the animation has a weird habit of turning into a cheap 2-D style during action sequences. But it works just fine as a comedy, and a family comedy at that. By all means take the kids and relatives to see it this holiday season. It’s implied that there’s a sequel with some familiar friends on the horizon, but this movie needs your business first. Grade: B “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” is rated PG for action/violence, rude humor/language, and some scary moments. Its running time is 100 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

Okay, let’s just accept it. Christmastime is a confusing mixture of Bible stories, family traditions, myths, and fun Santa Claus tales. Especially for kids like little Luke. The six-year-old boy bounced happily into the kitchen where his mom was putting lunch on the table. He proudly handed her the picture that he had drawn in Sunday School that morning. Waited confidently for the inevitable praise that his pictures always drew from her. He grinned as his dad came in from the living room and looked over her shoulder at their son’s handiwork. Mom and dad dutifully studied the paper with great interest, and then she cautiously began questioning the fledgling young artist. “Umm, tell me, Luke, all about what I am seeing here.” The boy began excitedly explaining and pointing, “This is Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus!” “Well, yes, we can certainly see that,” replied Dad, “but I’m not sure I understand what they are…riding on?” With a decidedly expressive eye roll, Luke answered, “That’s the jet plane, Dad, ya, know…for their flight to Egypt.” Mom quickly bit back her giggle, quickly glanced over her shoulder at her husband, and then in a choked voice asked quietly, “So -uh, tell me, who is the extra-large guy in the other seat on the plane?” Luke heaved a huge sigh, as if their lack of Biblical knowledge was getting on his nerves, “Oh, Mom, that’s Round John Virgin, who’s always with the Mother and Child – like it says in the song, remember?” Oh well, maybe his young mind had not exactly got all the details straight, but after all, there is a lot to take in and try to understand about this particular event, even for us so-called adults. Like, where does the little drummer boy that night fit in to all this? How did a tiny baby sleep through that drum solo? Why do all these pretty city girls go back home for a small-town Christmas and invariably fall in love with the very same boy they dumped a few years ago? Just how many Santa Clauses and Angel Trees can there possibly be? How is Christ’s birth honored by racking up huge totals on credit cards to buy gifts for people? Rather confusing, if you were to ask me. So, for my sake, let’s keep it simple and back to basics. Jesus came to be born as a tiny baby. He was God’s Greatest Gift to the whole world, because that baby was born to grow up to die and pay the penalty for our sins. That means Christmas is the time we celebrate God’s loving gift. Scripture says, “Thanks to God for His unspeakable gift.” It’s not at all confusing when we keep it simple and stick to the facts. Otherwise, like little Luke, we are apt to draw our picture of Christmas just a little bit off center. Merry Christmas, everyone!

By Kara Kimbrough Christmas is a few days away, but don’t panic. There’s still time to find the perfect Christmas gift or stocking stuffer for family and friends who enjoy cooking, entertaining and exploring new food trends. It’s probably too late to order online, so you’re spared my “shop local” spiel! Most of the items are ones I purchased in 2022 or they've gotten glowing recommendations from friends. Even better, they can be purchased at most in-state retailers and department stores. The majority sell for less than $100, making them the perfect gift for any budget. 1. GraniteStone Cookware – After years of faithful service from a set of Cuisinart cookware, it was time for an upgrade, especially large skillets whose surfaces were flaking. A little research led me to GraniteStone, a relatively inexpensive line of hard-anodized, non-stick cookware. The primary selling point for me, besides reported healthier cooking, is they're dishwasher-safe - no more pans soaking in the sink. I put the sturdy black skillets (other colors are blue and green) to the test and love their versatility. I’m planning to splurge on the 10-piece cookware set that is…wait for it…stackable! This feature alone should be a game-changer in terms of cabinet space. 2. Ninja® Coffee Maker – One of my best purchases of 2022 was a Ninja Coffee Maker. Like all Ninja products, it’s compact, reliable and related to this product, makes great coffee. There’s even a tea-making component when my electric kettle (see #3) is not readily available. I anticipate this model lasting awhile, but I’m already checking out more advanced models, including the Dual Brew Specialty Coffee System. It’s K-Pod compatible and comes with the ability to make cappuccino and other specialty drinks. 3. Cuisinart PerfecTemp Cordless Programmable Kettle – An inexpensive electric kettle has served me well for a couple of years, but after seeing this cordless model, it’s time for an upgrade. Besides boiling water at lightning speed, the one-touch controls on the handle provide six different preset heat settings, which allows for steeping tea at just the right temperature depending on the variety. 4. Ninja® Foodi™ 8-in-1 XL Pro Air Fry Oven Countertop Convection Oven – If you’re in need of a full-size oven, I recommend Frigidaire’s combination convection, air fryer and regular function oven. After purchasing this amazing oven in 2022, I couldn’t be happier with its triple functionality. If you don’t need a new oven but love to air fry, friends swear by the Ninja Foodi countertop oven, which provides more space than many single air fryers. 5. For stocking stuffers or gifts at a lower price point, a couple I like and that are readily available include: * The Pioneer Woman’s “Sweet Rose” 8- Piece Plastic Food Storage Container Variety Set – in my opinion, the folksy design resembles vintage Tupperware with a modern twist. * Rachael Ray’s 2-piece ceramic oval au gratin set – the perfect tableware set if you’re cooking for two or a small group. 6. Bamboo charcuterie board - Last, besides my Ninja coffee maker, my favorite kitchen purchase this year was a relatively inexpensive paddle-shaped charcuterie board. I purchased the board for that specific purchase, but it’s since become a multi-purpose kitchen tool. In addition to showcasing food, it often serves as a cutting board and heat-safe pad for hot dishes. At the end of the day, I add candles and other décor depending on my mood and the holiday, creating an instant kitchen décor piece. For the “person who has everything,” turn to your kitchen. A gift of homemade food channels your creative side and demonstrates thoughtfulness. These cookies are easy to make, travel well in a festive Christmas tin and will last for several days. Next week I'll share my favorite supermarket products and restaurant meals of 2022. Until then, Merry Christmas, everyone! Easy Crescent Cookies 1 cup unsalted butter, softened ½ cup white sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 teaspoons water 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup finely chopped almonds ¼ teaspoon salt ½ cup powdered sugar, or more as needed Beat butter and sugar in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Mix in vanilla and water. Add flour, almonds, and salt; beat on low speed until dough is just combined. Cover and chill for 1 to 3 hours. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Shape chilled dough into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart onto unlined cookie sheets. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove cookies from the sheets and transfer to wire racks to cool, 20 to 30 minutes. Place powdered sugar in a shallow bowl. Roll cooled cookies in powdered sugar to coat. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

There is a popular TV show that had a character named Ziva David for quite a while. From Israel, and having learned English along with many other languages, she was often confused by our American slang. Therefore, Miss David was well known for her quirky misquotes. One simple change in the wording of a timeless phrase gave a whole new meaning to what she was attempting to say, and often left her listener in stitches or in confusion. As you can see in these examples, what she said was often just close enough to the real saying to be oddly true in meaning, yet misspoken enough to make the listener feel compelled to correct her. Ziva: “This is going to be like looking for a needle in a needle stack.” McGee: “Hay. Haystack.” Ziva: “He's chomping out McGee.” Tony: “Chewing, Ziva, chewing.” Ziva: “The Pentagon is rock walling me.” Tony: “She means stonewalling. Little quirk she has.” Funny stuff, sure. But the show’s writers had an advantage over people in real life situations; they created the problem, and then they had the liberty to correct the confusion - right then and there. Us flesh and blood people? All too often, we are blissfully ignorant of the havoc we create and just bumble blissfully on along. No ‘do-overs.’ Nor do we have someone with us to explain what we mean. Often leaving a wave of irritation and pain in our wake. For example; Hanging out in the break room at work with a co-worker, you make a smart-aleck remark, just trying to get a laugh from the other guy. But abruptly, the air cools by about forty-one degrees and he is glaring your way, like you’re a piece of filthy gum stuck on the bottom of his shoe. So now you’re now confused and miffed, not having a clue what happened to the conversation. But Suddenly-Sour-Sam came from a different background growing up, and what you said stomped all over his feelings and his sense of dignity. Not that he will own up to the truth and tell you the problem. Nor will you be brave and open enough to brazenly ask what in the heck went wrong. So, it is very likely that both will just turn away and return to work, believing the worst about the other. This happens not only in the workplace, but among family members also. We simply are great at misinterpreting the meaning of what the other person said. What is spoken flippantly by a light-hearted sibling can be taken the wrong way by the brother who is slogging through a horrible week. Sharp words get spoken, and a heated argument begins. Family feuds are birthed on such episodes as this. Called miscommunication. Misunderstanding what the other person meant by what they said. Which results in hurt feelings, and issues that all too often are never sufficiently cleared up. Ziva gets by with a lot. We do not.

By Bob Garver Back in 2009, director James Cameron gave the world “Avatar.” The film about a human going undercover as a member of the Na’vi race on the planet of Pandora only to side with the Na’vi against his greedy fellow humans brought the movie blockbuster to new heights. It was the first movie to gross over $2 billion at the worldwide box office. In fact, it currently sits atop the chart of all-time worldwide grossers, as long as one factors in four subsequent re-releases. Creatively, critics and audiences alike were blown away by the film’s look, made with groundbreaking CGI, and the film won Oscars for its Visual Effects, Art Direction, and Cinematography. But there was some grumbling about the story, with unfavorable comparisons to “Dances with Wolves,” among other sources. Over time, those quibbles have only magnified as the luster of the look has faded away while the story remains the same. Now after 13 years there’s a chance to return to Pandora with “Avatar: The Way of Water,” but is it a trip worth taking? Was the original even a trip worth taking? My answer is a resounding “Yes!” – it was then, and it is now. The new film follows Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), now fully a Na’vi, and the family he has started with wife Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña). They have two teenage sons (James Flatters and Britain Dalton), a biological daughter (Trinity Jo-Li Bliss) and an adopted daughter (Sigourney Weaver) whose mother was the late Dr. Grace Augustine (Weaver) from the first film. Actually, they might as well have five kids, because a leftover human named Spider (Jack Champion) follows them around everywhere. The family’s life on Pandora is going great until humanity returns. No longer content to take the planet’s natural resources, this time the humans want a new place to live since they’ve made an irrevocable mess of Earth. Apparently asking the Na’vi nicely to share the planet is out of the question, so the humans’ mission is to neutralize the natives. Leading the charge is the Na’vi avatar of Quaritch (Stephen Lang), the villain from the first movie. Apparently he made a backup of himself before his human body was killed. The movie basically asks, “Do you want Stephen Lang back as the villain or not?” I do, so I’ll forgive the convoluted explanation. Jake knows he’ll be targeted by Quaritch and the humans, so he and his family decide that they can no longer live in their ancestral home. They bid farewell to the tree tribe and go to live with a reef tribe. They aren’t exactly welcomed by the new tribe’s leaders (Cliff Curtis and Kate Winslet), but they are at least allowed to stay, even though they are all treated like outcasts. Still, it’s only a matter of time before they are hunted down by the humans with the help of a captive Spider, Quaritch’s biological son. The story is strictly secondary in “Avatar: The Way of Water.” The real star is once again the breathtaking visuals, this time with an emphasis on sea creatures and underwater plant life, though there’s plenty of eye candy on land as well. After years of filmmakers getting complacent with sometimes-shoddy CGI effects, it’s nice to see Cameron bring them back to their full potential. The film is sure to win technical Oscars again, and it might be able to play in the big categories as well (it’s already nominated for Best Picture – Drama and Best Director at the Golden Globes). The script is… fine, with an emphasis on long-term storytelling, i.e. mysteries go unsolved in this movie so they can come into play in a sequel down the line. We’re going to be getting several more “Avatar” movies in the coming years, and I look forward to seeing if the franchise can redefine the blockbuster all over again. Grade: A- “Avatar: The Way of Water” is rated PG-13 for sequences of strong violence and intense action, partial nudity and some strong language. Its running time is 192 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

With only six days left before Christmas, The Salvation Army in Jackson is falling behind the red kettle goal for 2022. The annual Red Kettle Campaign is The Salvation Army’s largest fundraiser that finances the many services and programs offered to individuals and families in need throughout the year in Jackson. “This has been a challenging year for many individuals and families in our community facing economic hardship or crisis,” said Major Bill Shafer of The Salvation Army. “We continue to see increased need from those impacted by high inflation and food and fuel prices. The Red Kettle Campaign is falling significantly behind as we work toward our 2022 kettle goal of $50,000. We are praying the community will offer support in the remaining days of the season to ensure we can continue to help those when they need it most.” The Salvation Army bells will continue to ring outside stores through Christmas Eve, and the organization is optimistic that it can still reach its fundraising goal with the community's support. “The generosity of our amazing community is always a blessing to witness first-hand. The Salvation Army is so grateful, and we want you all to know that every dollar stays in Jackson to help our community!” said Major Shafer. “This means we can serve a meal to someone who is hungry, provide a safe night's rest to someone facing shelter insecurity and help a family stay in their home in our community for months to come.” Volunteers are crucial to the success of the red kettle campaign. It’s not too late, and it is easier than ever for individuals, families, groups, and businesses to sign up as volunteer bellringers. Call 601-982-4881 to sign-up to volunteer. “If you can’t get outside and ring the bell in person, you can always give to our virtual kettle from the comfort of your home! Go to JACKSONKETTLE.ORG to make a donation to serve those in need in our community,” said Major Shafer. For more information on the Red Kettle Campaign or any other Salvation Army program, please call 601-982-4881 or visit us at 110 Presto Lane.

The Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum will host a special ‘Five Minutes of Family with Santa’ event on Saturday, December 17, from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. inside the General Store. Admission is free and pictures with Santa Claus are $5.00 per family. During this event, Santa Claus will be available for photo opportunities inside the General Store, located in Small Town, Miss., on the museum grounds. Bring your family out to visit with jolly old Saint Nick and grab a quick holiday picture! For $5.00 each family gets five minutes with Santa. Pictures will be taken with visitors’ phones and cameras by museum staff so everyone can join in the photo. The Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum, located at 1150 Lakeland Drive in Jackson, is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information about the Museum, call 601- 432-4500 or 1-800-844-8687, visit www.msagmuseum.org and follow the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum on Facebook.

By Kara Kimbrough Before you call me hypocritical for my next statement, yes, it’s true: I advocated buying Marie Callender’s pies for Thanksgiving if baking was not in your wheelhouse or time frame. With that disclaimer out of the way, I was saddened recently while walking through the supermarket baking aisle and realized that cinnamon, spices and everything else baking-related-nice were fully stocked. One aisle over, shoppers were putting prefabricated, cellophane-wrapped baskets filled with coffee mugs, miniature grilling sauces, hot cocoa mix and s’mores kits in their carts. Here’s a radical idea: instead of buying pre-made food and beverage kits (or any type gift) this year, why not consider making a few homemade treats this year? I guarantee, even the simplest baked goods will be remembered and appreciated, not just during the Christmas season, but all year long. I speak from personal experience when I say gifts made in the kitchen are sometimes the most meaningful. Each Thanksgiving, my aunt would package Christmas bags for each family member filled with homemade treats. Tins of old-fashioned Chex mix or “scrambles” as she called them, jars of hot chocolate and spiced tea mix; cheese straws, caramel corn and homemade candy were just a few of the annual treats. The last Christmas bag she created before going to her heavenly reward got me through my final graduate school project in 2010. The story of me munching on her treats while working 48 hours straight and her recipe for chocolate Crock-pot candy made its way into my column that year. Remembering how her treats were appreciated, I try to make a few homemade gifts each Christmas season. I presented jars of instant spiced tea to two friends at a catch-up Christmas lunch last week. It's the only gift I’d had time to prepare in the early morning hours before we met. Suffice to say, my time management skills have been lacking as of late. Ironically, I never liked spiced tea in the past, so my aunt substituted hot chocolate mix in my bag. Now that I’ve become a daily hot tea drinker, I’ve acquired a taste for the fragrant beverage. An electric kettle has become a lifesaver- it’s a gift I highly recommend one for the tea-lovers in your life. This week, I’m planning to make a slightly different version of my aunt’s “scrambles.” This batch, using a recipe I found in a cookbook compiled by a Columbia church, doesn’t contain cereals, but instead, a few of my favorite salty snacks. As an aside, one of my crafty friends at the lunch (the other one is equally talented, but prefers to showcase her creativity through the written word) presented each of us with a bottle of homemade vanilla. Complete with a tag created on the computer, it’s a gift I’ll value and use throughout the year, especially during the holiday baking season. Also on my must-make list are cinnamon-sugar pecans and peanut brittle using a friend’s mom’s recipe. Last, a gift that’ll need to be eaten within a few days (but I doubt my friend will complain) is crock-pot apple butter. Placed in Mason jars and decorated with festive Christmas material and ribbon, it’s the perfect gift. I mean, who can find fault with fragrant apple butter? If, like me, your time management is not where it should be, I still encourage you to carve out a little time to bake – or make-homemade gifts this year. Unlike the shrink-wrapped s’mores basket, they’ll be used and remembered well after the other gifts have been forgotten. Hilda’s Instant Spiced Tea Mix 1 cup Lipton Instant Tea 2 cups Tang or other orange drink mix 1 cup white sugar 1-2 scoops of Country Time or other lemonade powdered drink mix 1 teaspoon ground cloves 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Orange, thinly sliced with peel on Cinnamon sticks Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl, then pour into jars. Serving directions to add to a tag: Place 1-2 teaspoons in a mug and fill with hot water. Add thin orange slices and cinnamon sticks for a festive touch. Columbia Party Mix 1 cup butter or margarine, melted 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon curry powder ½ teaspoon garlic salt 1/8 teaspoon hot sauce 6 cups corn chips 4 cups cheese crackers (Cheez-Its or similar brand) 3 cups mixed nuts 6 cups popped popcorn 1-1/2 cups walnut pieces Combine first 5 ingredients, stirring well. Combine corn chips and remaining ingredients in a large roasting pan, stirring to combine. Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Spread on paper towels to cool. Makes 16 cups. “Repeat Performance,” Woodlawn United Pentecostal Church, Columbia Cinnamon-Sugar Pecans 1 egg white 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract 4-5 cups pecan halves 1 cup white sugar 1 teaspoon sea salt 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Grease a large baking sheet. In a small bowl, combine sugar, sea salt and cinnamon, set aside. In a large bowl, whip egg white and vanilla with a whisk until frothy. Add pecans to wet mixture, one cup at a time, stirring to coat nuts evenly. Make sure all nuts are well coated before adding more. Once pecans are completely coated, sprinkle dry ingredients over pecans and stir until evenly distributed. Spread the pecans evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Do not use parchment paper or foil; bake pecans directly on the baking sheet. Bake at 250 degrees F for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove and let cool before packaging. Crock-Pot Apple Butter 8 pounds apples: Granny Smith, Fuji, Gala or Pink lady (can combine varieties if you’d like) ½ cup apple juice 2 cups packed brown sugar 1 cup white sugar 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon ground cloves Peel and quarter apples and place in a large crock pot. Add all other ingredients and stir well to coat apples. Cook on LOW 9-10 hours (your house will smell amazing while it’s cooking!) Strain contents through a wire mesh strainer into a large pot and place back into your crockpot, discarding seeds and cores in the process. Cook an additional hour uncovered until thick. Place into sterilized jars (I sterilize my jars in the dishwasher) and refrigerate. Makes 6-7 pint jars. * Include a tag stating the apple butter should be eaten within 1 month. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.