Cnf april 2017

KOHLHIEM...pg 10

Vol 16, No. 11 • April 2017

MEINTS....pg 11

News You Can Use

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Selmer Educator Receives Sterling Award Author follows God's advice for her life to shed her fears educator. However, it was my fifth grade teacher who not only encouraged me but challenged me to explore and discover talents I didn't realize I had." Moore earned her Bachelor's degree from UTMartin and Master's degree from Freed-Hardeman University and has implemented her incredible gifts and talents to impact not only her classroom, but her community as well.

"Moore has served more than a decade as a PreKindergarten teacher. Not only is LaShell a shining light in the classroom, but in the McNairy County community as well. She has been awarded multiple educational grants and acted as a cowriter for the Tennessee ThreeStar Grant that was awarded in June, 2014. Her leadership reflects her accomplishments and her volunteerism reflects her passion she has for the Selmer community.

The City of Selmer Mayor stated, 'You can imagine LaShell Moore how many events and activities that I attend and I Address: P.O. Box 1292 Corinth, MS 38835 can assure you that you can always see LaShell there with a hands-on approach.' As a POSTAL PATRON current board member for Arts in McNairy County, Moore initiated diversity out-

by Nicholas Langston Launched in 2010, The Sterling Awards was created to recognize 20 outstanding women from across West Tennessee who have made significant contributions in their fields of work. These fields include education, small business, public service, healthcare and various other fields. While only 20 awards are given, more than 80 fascinating woman are nominated each year. Among this year's recipients is long time educator and friend of West Tennessee, LaShell Moore.

Moore grew up in Selmer, Tennessee and stated, "I knew very early in life I wanted to become an Return

see MOORE pg 4

By Lucy Weber Ezella Robinson is afraid no more.

The author and songwriter has a resume bursting with an impressive collection of firsts, honors and accomplishments, but she lived with a secret fear for most of her life. At age 11, sitting in her grandfather's church, she remembers, "A missionary told me: 'You will do something amazing before you die.'

Robinson was gripped with the terrifying thought that if she worked to achieve success that her death would soon follow.

"I never gave 100 percent because of that fear," she said. "People thought of me as a strong, confident person who got things done. They didn't know I wasn't giving 100 percent."

Today, however, the Savannah, Tenn.,

see ROBINSON pg 4

Ezella Robinson

Artist enjoys seeing her work brought to life on human body

By Lucy Weber Megan Pollard likes to paint on a different type of canvas that does not permanently save her work.

The Nashville-based artist, who is originally from Guys, Tenn., has discovered her gift for body painting. With broad brush strokes and intricate details, she creates art on her models' skin, sometimes head to toe. Eventually, that work is washed away, saved only in photos.

"I discovered body painting a couple of years ago. I was asked to do it for a photo shoot," the 25-year-old daughter of Ed and Sherlene Pollard said. "I had so much fun, and I like the challenge. It's totally differ-

see POLLARD pg 4

Megan Pollard

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April 2017

The Community News Flash

Editor’s Corner What kind of fruit is your tree producing?

Jerry W. Porter CEO/Publisher

PO Box 1292, Corinth, MS 38835-1292 Cell: 662-643-6842 Email: read.newsflash@gmail.com

After a cold, cold winter, the, warmth of the glistening sunrays, the sight of yellow honeysuckles peeking from the ground and brisk March winds are all clear indicators that spring has arrived.

As the ground begins to warm and the sap starts to rise, the once grand old trees prepare to get dressed by budding for the sweltering heat of summer.

In late spring as the leaves take shape and the buds reach the

pollination state, beautiful, succulent fruit will adorn the branches of the trees.

Through the mystique of nature, good fruit and bad fruit of all colors and textures will fill the trees just waiting for the fall harvest.

Wouldn’t it be grand if a tree only produced good fruit? Unfortunately, we all know that’s not case. Just look at the fig tree that was cursed and withered. If for a moment, imagine a large grove of fruit trees with fruit of the human kind. Which type of fruit would you produce? You see, as we go about our daily lives we produce fruit from our spirit– be it good or bad.

Picture yourself walking into a room and you represent this tree. If your tree is not producing fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and selfcontrol– you may need to fertilize. But before you

apply the fertilizer, let’s do a soil test of the heart.

As any good gardener knows, in order to produce a good crop the soil must be good or you have to amend the soil. This month I would like all of my readers to complete the soil test of the heart to be mailed to the test lab in the sky.

If your soil test of the heart comes back showing deficiencies in any area, here are some recommendations: apply ten pounds triple thirteen prayer, nine pounds of His grace, eight pounds of mercy, seven pounds of humility, six pounds of care, five pounds of devotion, four pounds of courage and righteousness, three pounds of integrity, two pounds of praise and one

pound of persistence.

When these ingredients are applied to our daily lives you can produce the lustrous fruits of the spirit that everyone would like to pick.

It is graduation time and we would like to allow your business, church or civic organization the opportunity to wish the Graduating Class of 2017 good luck as they embark upon their new and exciting endeavors.

All advertising information should be submitted by Friday, April 28, 2017.

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A special graduation edition of the Community News Flash will be printed on Monday, May 1, 2017.

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This month ask yourself this simple question: Does my tree produce good fruit?

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The Community News Flash is published monthly by Porter Publishing, Inc., with all rights reserved – © 2001 Reproduction or use without permission of editorial on graphic contents in any manner is prohibited by law.

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The annual subscription rate is Twenty four dollars and forty eight cents ($26.00). Information is gathered from sources considered to be reliable and accurate. Thoughts expressed in letters to the editor and commentaries are those of the authors and not necessarily those of The Community News Flash staff.

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Monthly Meditation But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

----Galatians 5:22

Notable Quote The emotional states are liberated inside water, we calm down emotionally, we become more sensitive, we are able to "touch" deeper ourselves and other beings. Empathy is echoing back to us giving subtle vibrations from the realm of the senses. Find your water. ~Grigoris Deoudis

April 2017

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The Community News Flash

APRIL BIBLE TRIVIA 1. What nation did God say would have its towns and fields cursed because of disobedience?

1. Ecclesiastes (Chapters 1 and 2) 2. Jerusalem (Acts 2:2) 3. Pharaoh (Genesis 41:6) 3. Who received a promise from God that all persons who cursed him would be cursed them4. Locusts (Exodus 10:13) selves?

5. Ezekiel (5:2) 4. According to Galatians, what people remain under a curse?

6. All night (Exodus 14:21) 7. A doubter (James 1:6) 5. Who said that people who taught a false gospel would be cursed?

8. Elijah (I Kings 19:11) 6. According to Paul, who was made a curse for our sins?

9. Job's (Job 1:19) 7. According to the Law, what sort of handicapped people should we not curse?

10. East (Job 27:21) 11. Jude (12) 8. Who was told by his wife to curse God and die?

12. The wicked (Psalm 1:4) 9. What prophet ended his book with God’s threat to come and strike the land with a curse?

13. Job (38:1) 10. What epistle says that blessing and cursing should not come out of the same mouth?

14. The foolish man who builds on the sand (Matthew 7:26-27) 11. Who had enemies that bound themselves under a curse because they were so determined to kill 15. Locusts (Exodus 10:19) him?

16. Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2:35) 12. Who told God that Job would curse him to his face?

17. Hosea (8:7) 18. Jonah (1:4) 13. What book says that kings should not be cursed, for little birds will tell on the cursing person?

19. Jonah (4:8) 20. Peter (Matthew 14:30) 2. What happened to the ground as a result of God’s curse?

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4

MOORE.....from page 1 reach by coordinating the first Black History Month celebration hosted by AiM. She also serves as a board member for McNairy County Developmental Services and is a member of the National Association for Professional Women. Due to her dedication to sustaining and improving the lives of McNairy County, she has been honored with several awards including, Andrew Shelton Memorial Community Service Award, McNairy Regional Alliance Rising Star Award and Community Service Award for Outstanding Teacher."

"Moore has volunteered countless hours to help in the educational and economic growth of her community.

She has been a strong supporter and leader in the local government serving on the McNairy County Economic Commission and the Strategic Opportunities to Advance our Region (SOAR) Committee.

Mayor Ronnie Brooks stated, 'This

April 2017

The Community News Flash

young lady is tireless. She is a standout leader and high achiever.

Whatever LaShell Moore is involved in, rest assured she will put her all into it and make things happen. She proves her worthiness everyday throughout the county she loves with her efforts and wanting to make a difference.' Moore has served as a board member on the McNairy County Chamber of Commerce and held the office of Vice President. She also served as a secretary for EMERGE, a McNairy Young Professionals Group.

Russell Ingle, for Chamber Director stated, 'She excelled in carrying out plans and objectives. Simply put, there are lots of things that simply would not have been accomplished without her leadership and commitment. She made average things good and good things great.' Her dedication to education excellence is exemplified through the multiple McNairy County School Board Committees she has served and chaired. Desiring to help students attend college, in

POLLARD.....from page 1 ent painting a body than painting on a canvas."

Her models have included a 62-year-old woman who wanted to be bold for a magazine shoot. Other models have included those painted for shows or for specific designs. In all instances, Pollard strives to make her models feel as comfortable as possible in the two hours or so it takes to complete her work. "It does tickle, and you can get cold," she said.

The beauty of body painting, Pollard has discovered, is that designs on the human body can turn out so differently than what she paints on her other preferred medium, acrylics on canvas.

"Body painting is becoming more accepted. Seeing your art brought to life and seeing it walk is so cool," she said.

Pollard has practiced her techniques in painting her own skin, but her reach limits her experience in full body paint. "I would love for somebody to paint me," she said.

Her mother says that Pollard's artistic abilities started showing at age three. "I don't remember that young but I do remember having my little box of crayons laid out on the rug all around me."

Pollard characterizes her style as abstract and she finds joy in her talent. "I'm not good at expressing myself vocally but I can express myself through my imagination."

She studied for two and a half years at Northeast Mississippi Community College. "Then I felt I could teach myself and learn more by myself," Pollard said. "I'm still learning and growing as an artist."

Pollard finds inspiration in eyes, smiles, bodies, music and the outdoors, to name just a few. "I find a lot of my

2007 she founded the Mary Lou Johnson Scholarship Foundation. The foundation is an educational, nonprofit charity to assist high school students with college expenses. Since 2007, the foundation has awarded $18,000 in scholarships to deserving students."

"My advice to young people in regards to education is to not take education for granted. Unfortunately, not everyone around the world is afforded the opportunity to get an education. Dream big, because people who dream big accomplish big," she stated. She also encourages people of all ages to get involved in their communities. No contribution is too small.

A "Sterling" woman indeed, Lashell is the mother of two sons.

When she isn't teaching or volunteering in her community, she can be found in the kitchen where she enjoys baking and cooking.

inspiration in people's faces."

She can usually be found drawing, and her sketchbook is always nearby. Pollard said she might go a week without painting at times but she draws two to three times a week.

The move to Nashville came about four years ago, although she does visit Guys frequently to see her family.

Pollard sells her art work through commissions and at art shows mostly. Her work can be seen on her web page, www.megmegmeg.co and on Instagram at meg_pie3.

Those interested in her work can contact her through her website or by email, megpie333@gmail.com.

ROBINSON..... from page 1 resident says she is "happy, content and blessed" and through her book "Afraid to Fly: Born to Serve" she wants others to know that they don't have to live in fear but can live up to God's promises for their lives.

"I limited myself because of my fear of dying," Robinson said.

The book was released March 1. "Within hours, it was a bestseller. Tell me that's not God's work," Robinson said. It has climbed up the list on the Kindle store and on Amazon's Hot New Releases list.

Her journey to shaking off her dread began in earnest after her father died in 2013 and she wrote a song as tribute to his life, "Rushing Mighty Wind."

"I said, 'God, I've been running along enough," she recalled. Yet, still, she hesitated in that fear to follow God's word to find success.

Robinson, who grew up in church, has always had a strong faith but she admits she didn't listen to God's voice speaking to her. "I even got a minister's license but I was still afraid to succeed."

In 2014, Robinson, still unable to shake off her fear, said she ignored God's direction again in preparation for what was coming in her life. In 2015, the song she wrote for her father came out, and "things got better."

"In 2016 things really began to happen," Robinson said, as she began to pray strongly and deeply with a friend who encouraged that prayer life.

In her words, "I was still battling the Lord" as he told her to take a sabbatical from her church work. But

unlike years past, last October, she listened to Him and followed his direction, rather than trying to do it her way.

"The day after that the doors to this book opened."

Originally, Robinson was supposed to collaborate on this self-help book, which followed her four children's books. But in December 2016, she was asked to write the book alone. Less than two months later, it was finished and published.

"The completion of the book ended every doubt, every fear," Robinson said.

"I am completely free of fear. The minute I was released, God opened doors."

Now, Robinson, who wrote her first song at age 16 , has a songwriting career and a contract with a new publishing house in Nashville for her gospel, country and children's songs. When she was trapped in her fear, she said she tried to propel her songwriting/singing career on her own terms, not by following God's words to her.

Also ahead for Robinson is her work with a movie producer. She is also looking to have her songs in his upcoming project and be a part of the cast. All this is in addition to her speaking engagements where she encourages others to live their dreams too with what God has planned for them.

"I want to be effective and cause positive changes within each individual touched by my work," Robinson said.

"So many things are happening in my life. It's an overflow," she said.

"Whatever I do, I want it to glorify God. I'm doing what He wants me to do.

Nothing is impossible with Him."

April 2017

Calcium, Vitamin D-3 Benefits in Dispute Did you see the headlines?

Researchers now conclude that taking calcium and vitamin D-3 supplements are ineffective for preventing fractures. It was only recently that they were claiming just the opposite.

This research came from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. It now says there is “insufficient evidence” to keep supporting calcium and vitamin D-3 supplements as a way to avoid fractures in pre- and post-menopausal women and in men. The same goes for using supplements greater than 400 IU of vitamin D-3 and greater than 1,000 mg of calcium.

While the task force says the supplements don’t prevent fractures, it does think doctors should start screening for vitamin D deficiency.

It also concedes that there appears to be “minimal harm” in taking calcium and vitamin D in low doses, and that they are necessary for good bone health.

The National Institutes of Health webpage for vitamin D, for example, says that it helps the body absorb calcium, carries messages between the brain and the rest of the body, and helps the immune system fight off bacteria and viruses. Calcium works hand in hand with vitamin D, and additionally helps the body manage hormones and enzymes.

Where does that leave us when it comes to deciding about vitamin D and calcium supplements? Right back at square one, as far as I can tell.

We need to get these nutrients from our food before we reply on supplements, and we need to consult our doctor before increasing the amount we already take. We need to get out in the sunlight. And to keep our bones strong, we need weight-bearing exercise.

Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible.

Write to her in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send email to columnreply@gmail.com.

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The Community News Flash

Sciatica Often Leaves on Its Own DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have had sciatica for two and a half months. Even though I am better than at I was first, I am taking forever to fully recover. I have had chiropractic treatments and physiotherapy.

My doctor tells me it will go away on its own. Books that I have read say that most recover in six weeks.

It’s going on three months for me.

I also had vasculitis (HenochSchonlein purpura). I haven’t experienced any symptoms for a couple of years. I have been feeling nauseated and have had loose BMs and the odd stomachache. A red spot appeared on my leg a few days ago.

Do you think the vasculitis is playing a role in my delay in recovery?

— J.B. ANSWER: I’ll describe the typical pain of sciatica, and you see if the description fits your pain. The sciatic nerve is the body’s largest and longest nerve. It travels from the lower back, down the leg to the ankle or foot. Pressure on the nerve from a protruding back disk, a bone spur or anything that compresses the nerve brings on sharp or burning pain running down the side and back of the leg to the foot.

Pulling the knees to the chest and holding that position for 20 seconds produces sciatica pain.

The pain of sciatica often lessens and disappears in one or two months.

The X-ray report you included doesn’t rule in or rule out sciatica. If the pain persists, an MRI or CT scan provides additional information. You are improving, so I think eventually you should be pain-free.

Vasculitis is an inflammation of blood vessels, and Henoch-Schonlein (HE-knock SURN-line) purpura is one kind of vasculitis. Children get this illness more than adults do. Red blotches that turn into bruises (purpura) pop up on the buttocks and legs.

Joint pain, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea (or constipation) also arise. In the first year after recovery, relapses are common.

If your current stomach troubles worsen or you see more red blotches, get back to the doctor who took care of you before. I don’t believe that HS, if it is returning, is interfering with your recovery from sciatica.

The booklet on back problems describes their common causes and their treatment. Readers can order a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue — No. 303W, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Canada with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery. *** DEAR DR. DONOHUE: As someone preparing for a liver biopsy, please discuss the procedure, recovery and possible side effects. — R.J. ANSWER: Doctors perform a liver biopsy with a needle attached to a suction device that can capture a thin piece of the organ for microscopic examination. The needle is inserted through the skin over the liver. First the doctor cleans the skin with an antiseptic and often numbs it. The procedure takes less than a minute. You return home shortly thereafter.

Side effects are rare. Bleeding is possible. So is infection. Neither happens frequently.

You don’t have to prepare yourself in any special way. *** Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. © 2013 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved

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The Community News Flash

BACK TO BASICS FITNESS

Walk This Way… Simply start by putting Ahh, the promises of one foot in front of the Spring! With the temother and you’d be peratures on the rise, a amazed how far that vast number of us are can take you. And I’m headed out of doors. not just referring to the Peeling back those laynumber of miles one ers of clothes that can travel. When you shielded us from those do what you can do, it Winter winds, with the opens the door to hopes that, the bulky countless possibilities. sweater is the only thing In many of our we’ll need to shed to cities, the public parks welcome the latest in have amazing walking Spring fashion. Let’s trails. Complete with face it, many of us add hills, hills and more on a few pounds during hills! Taking advanthe Holidays, and they Arlene Dent tage of this prime rear their ugly head as opportunity to get moving is key, if your soon as we start to wear fewer layers of desire is mixing things up a bit. Truthfully, clothes. But now that there is less of a chill walking the same route gets to be boring after in the air, it’s the perfect opportunity to get a while and one has the tendency of quitting moving. after a few weeks of doing the same ole, same For those of you that are like me, and ole. A change of scenery is a great way to enjoy snuggling up on the sofa with a nice spice things up, and with Spring in the air, the cup of coffee (with a little French vanilla warmer temperatures are a bonus on the, creamer), a favorite pair of warm socks and fuzzy slippers and watching a bit of Network ‘wooooohoooo!’ scale!

Have you been in this walking game a television, heading out for an evening walk while? Would you like to kick it up a notch? may not be on the preferred to-do list for the How about walking those bleachers at your day. But that’s okay. Some changes in life local high school or sports pavilion? This come more easily than others. Adding an evening walk to a daily routine takes time and will definitely give you a change of scenery and a change of pace. Two or three rounds up fortitude. Busy work schedules, after school and down the steps of the bleachers will get activities for those who have children, and that heart rate up and help strengthen those just the day to day task of going about living, quads. Now that’s my kind of multitasking! makes adding one more thing, a bit daunting.

Not quite up for the bleachers just yet? No In the broad scheme of things, carving time worries, try doing a set of 20 squats in out of your busy day to help improve your between laps around the track or that lap health is a win, win situation. around your block…mission accomplished!

Walking, it’s nothing you haven’t heard In this fitness game, there is always a way before. Physicians and trainers alike, recomto modify fitness moves. The importance of mend it as the first line of defense for a variliving a fit life is evident, but so is the ability ety of life’s ills. And with good reason. It to recognize ones limitations and act accordworks. Not every ‘body’ is equipped for ingly. It’s good to push beyond ones limits to many of the strenuous body-weight bearing achieve growth, but not to the point of injury. activities. So beginning with an activity such This will merely impede your progress. as walking is a great way to become more Taking time out to get a few extra steps in active. There are any number of in-home fitness machines that cater to a variety of, walk- daily can do wonders for your body. Is walking a quick fix for what ails you? No. It’ snot ing and walking-type exercise. ( Treadmills, elliptical, Tread climbers, etc) Not to mention a revolutionary new weight loss secret. Nor is walking going to get you the body you the, ‘always gets it done‘, walk around the want in no time flat. Walking is, however, neighborhood. It’s always a good idea to active living at its simplest. So let’s go for it! work with what you’ve got. Your body is If you really want it, you have to go get it, it equipped with everything it needs to be won’t come to you! healthy and live a more active lifestyle.

April 2017

April 2017

The Community News Flash

7

Great Tips to Get in Shape and Stay in Shape (StatePoint) Losing weight and living a healthier lifestyle top millions of people’s list of goals.

Unfortunately, it’s a lot easier to set a goal than it is to actually achieve it, so it’s important to have a game plan if you want to see results. Here are some sustainable tips to help you lose weight and feel great!

Set Goals Mindfully Setting a goal to “lose weight” sounds great, but it is pretty vague.

It’s hard to achieve a goal without a specific plan or focus. Remember to think about your health beyond just the number on the scale. Whether it’s deciding to train for a 5k race or choosing to reduce your sugar intake by half, getting specific and setting realistic goals helps you get a clear sense as to whether you were successful.

Get Hydrated One simple way to cut back calories and sugar is to make water your drink of choice. Eliminate high-calorie beverages like juice and soda from

(c) vanillaechoes - Fotolia.com your diet. Get started by setting a simple goal of drinking at least five 12-ounce glasses of water a day.

Sustainable Meal Planning A sustainable diet is not about deprivation, it’s about eating nutritious, enjoyable meals. For example, a Mediterranean diet, which focuses on fresh fruits and vegetables, whole

grains, lean meats and healthy fats like olive oil; often offers better nutrition, better flavors and better results than a fad diet.

In fact, people who followed a Mediterranean diet lost 52 percent more weight than those with a standard low-fat diet says a study published in a peer reviewed journal.

Over a period of two years, the Mediterranean diet group lost 9.7 pounds while the low fat diet group only lost 6.3 pounds.

Make Exercise Fun Exercise is critical for a healthy body and mind. Whether it’s taking the dog out for a daily walk, signing up for a dance class or committing to hitting the gym three to four times a week, find a workout routine you love and can commit to so you don’t think of movement and exercise as a chore.

Seek Support Even a well-balanced diet combined with exercise can use extra support. One great program that works in conjunction with a Mediterranean diet is the M3 system by Modere, an innovative weight management system combining credible products with real food and flexible lifestyle behaviors to help users detox.

The plan includes a thermogenic fat-burning supplement taken in the morning, a protein-rich shake for lunch, and an evening fiber drink to

help control dinner portions. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

According to Modere, this product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

“The lifestyle-based approach to dieting can mean better and more sustainable results than fads that require you to eat only from limited list of foods,” says Greg Horn, formulator of Modere M3.

The plan also requires you to make key changes that support health and weight management by letting you pick three of the five healthy lifestyle behavior options such as committing to walking 7,500 steps a day, cutting out fried foods and sugary drinks, or avoiding refined flour and white rice. To learn more about how M3 can help you, visit www.TakeM3.com.

Make now the time you set a goal and stick with it!

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The Community News Flash

April 2017

Hot Tips to Avoid Buying a Hot Vehicle

(c) puhhha - Fotolia.com

(StatePoint) As more consumers turn to online sites and social media to find deals on used cars from private party sellers, experts warn that buyers should beware.

“Private sellers often offer some of the best deals available on used cars, but these transactions may also bear a certain amount of risk,” says John Rasmussen, Wells Fargo’s head of Personal Lending Group.

Over 707,000 motor vehicles were reported

stolen in the United States in 2015, according to the FBI, a 3.1 percent rise over 2014. A portion of these vehicles are resold to consumers like you, which can mean problems down the line.

Consumers who buy a stolen car run the risk of the vehicle impoundment and troubles with the insurance agency should the car be involved in an accident. You may also find it virtually impossible to get your money back

on the purchase.

To avoid this fate, Wells Fargo Direct Auto loan experts are sharing some smart tips.

• Know your vehicle. This means doing more than just a test drive. Find out the vehicle history by using online resources like Carfax. Have a mechanic look at the vehicle.

• Know the seller. Do your best to make sure the seller is who they say they are and that their name appears on the title and paperwork. Any person trying to sell a car on behalf of someone else is a red flag.

• Know your options. Is the seller requiring that you pay cash? Be wary. That is a red flag, too.

• Know the paperwork. Car thieves often replace the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) from the stolen car with one that belongs to a legally registered vehicle. This process, which is known as “VIN cloning” or “retag-

ging,” allows car thieves to cover up the car’s true history and forge title documents. Be sure to check that all the VINs located throughout the car (dashboard, driver door, under the hood) match each other and the paperwork.

No matter where you buy your car or from whom, be sure you understand the ins and outs of your payment plan. If you are getting an auto loan from a bank, familiarize yourself with its terms before signing. You can learn more by visiting wellsfargo.com/auto-loans.

Ask questions and do your research. Being a savvy car shopper can help you avoid the risks associated with buying from a private seller.

April 2017

The Community News Flash

Shopping Local Can Benefit You and Your Community

(StatePoint) If you have home improvement plans this spring, it’s important to consider where you will be doing your shopping. For many people, the first stores to come to mind are big box retailers because of the widespread assumption that chains can offer better selection and better prices.

Keep in mind, though, that when it comes to items needed for your home projects -- whether it be new flooring, paint or a kitchen renovation -more often than not, experts say that your local independent retailer can offer as good or better selection, be competitive with pricing, and provide a superior customer service experience.

What’s more, shopping at local businesses can benefit your household and the community. At a locally owned store, you will be more likely to find interesting items and products that set your

home apart. And more of your dollars will stay put when you give them to business owners who pay taxes locally, hire locally and may be more inclined to support community charities and organizations.

You may also find independent retailers that can offer some of the same benefits as a large chain. For example, when small business owners belong to a cooperative, they come together to scale buying power, access goods and services at a lower cost, and create opportunities not available to them as individual businesses. For you, this can mean more and better choices of products and affordability.

In the case of Flooring America for example, this means being able to offer a wide selection of products, including hard surfaces like hardwood, laminate and tile, and soft surface flooring, paint, cabinets for kitchen renovations and even closet organization solutions. Their retailers can be found in local communities throughout the country, with a varying product selection depending on location.

So, if you are looking to make home improvements this spring, check out your local retailers that not only offer great product selection, but also contribute to your community in a positive way.

Register Your Child For Head Start Now! We are excited to let you know the Corinth and Kendrick sites are joining in the 2017-2018 school year.

The children will have a new school to attend. We are registering children for Early Head Start and Regular Head Start. If you have a 2, 3, or 4 year old child, please register your child as soon as possible.

Call us today! Enrollment slots are limited.

662-286-5802 or 662-286-3435 Corinth/Kendrick Center School: 700B Crater Street, Corinth Office: 2305 Bell School Road, Corinth

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April 2017

The Community News Flash

Eastern Wisdom Guides Helping Heart

Sonya Kohlhiem

by B.H. Bonds Sonya Kohlhiem has wanted to help people since childhood, and at an early age she came to associate “helping people” with the field of medicine. She graduated from Corinth High School in 1991 with “her mind set on being a doctor.”

While in college, she changed her focus to nursing and has thereafter worked in the field for 17 years, serving in almost every capacity: she relates, “I have worked in geriatrics, med-surg, pre and post-op surgery (general and vascular) trauma unit, bariatric surgery, plastics, stroke unit and telemetry…”

It was in those years of service that Kohlhiem noticed a disturbing trend: “I have watched so many patients come in with so many medications and half of these meds were to treat the side effects of the other meds. It seemed to me that Western medicine had become more like an assembly line than a place of healing...I don't blame this on doctors or nurses. Most want to do the best for their patients, but because of the rigorous demands placed on them from the ‘political’ aspect of medicine it's almost impossible.

Drug companies and insurance companies dictate healthcare now.. I feel it is a disparity when a doctor feels you need a particular test for diagnostic purposes but insurance will not pay.

To me western medicine has become a vessel of treatment but not curing…”

Still as eager as ever to help and to heal, but disillusioned by a main-stream medical industry that seemed to her guided by other forces, Kohlhiem began to look outside the main-stream. After much prayer and research, Kohlhiem found her calling in acupuncture and Oriental Medicine: “The moment I made that choice, things began to fall into place… With a walk of faith, I not only left a profession I had known for over 15 years but also was leaving the comforts of Mississippi. In 2013, I moved to Texas to pursue a master's/doctoral degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine...a rigorous 4-6 year program consisting of Trimesters.”

Kohlhiem is eager to point out that Oriental Medicine is much more than the acupuncture with which we are most familiar: “It is an ancient medicine (5,000 years old) that treats the ‘root’ of a disease. It is also individualized...just because two people have hypertension doesn't mean that they will have the same treatment. Each person is assessed thoroughly and asked questions to help determine that patients diagnosis.

Oriental Medicine is unique because of diagnosis methods and treatments. Oriental medicine is not just comprised of acupuncture... but also herbal medicine, cupping (which has been made popular by Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps), moxibustion, Gua Sha, Tui Na (Chinese medical message) and other aspects.”

While Kohlhiem completes her degree, she is also working as a staff nurse for Fulshear's Treatment to Transition. In addition, she has served on the board of So Blessed to Be Me, Inc., a non-profit organization that reaches out to to teens from economically distressed households to instill “purpose, ability, and value” in multi-cultural youth. She describes the work-load as “rigorous, but fulfilling.”

It is Kohlhiem’s hopes to open her own clinic. There she intends to focus care on psychological issues ranging from ADHD to PTSD. In these goals, she feels she has finally found the peaceful ground where her desires to help others meet a hospitable reality. She now finds herself on “the path God had intended.”

662-286-6681 1801 S Harper Rd Corinth, MS

*Always NEW Merchandise * Always the largest selection and the best price guaranteed

April 2017

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The Community News Flash

Local Photographer Explains the Simple Importance of Lighting

by BHBonds If you sit down with local photographer Cheryl Meints, she will tell you straight away that she is not a professionally trained photographer. She asserts that she hardly knows the lingo, that she doesn’t care anything about expensive lenses, and she never bothered with the type of professional editing software that so many are using now to go back, airbrush, and doctor the light. If you then see Meints’ body of impressive photographic work, you are going to decide one of two things: either she is entirely too humble about her expertise...or she speaks a truth reflected in photos that are at once simple, striking, and clear. You see the work of someone who didn’t learn from a school, but from a burning inner passion, a strong perseverance through experience, and an ingenuity to create works of art with the simplest of tools.

Mastery, after all, isn’t about having great tools in your hands--it is about having the tools within yourself to create greatness from whatever circumstances you are handed. It was with a homemade

light tent designed by her husband Don and built from materials from Lowe’s that Meints honed her craft--well, that--and a tenacity to document through the lens that would earn her the nickname “Grandma Flash” among her grandkids. And, it was with nothing more than a three mega-pixel camera that Meints captured the first floral photos that would begin to garner her local renown--photos that remain bold in their simplicity, portraying an honest beauty that defies any need for photo-shop skills.

When you’ve trained yourself to find and hold the simple, beautiful truths...any attempt to change them is at best unnecessary, and at worst a lie.

Meints credits her hours working in the lighting tent she and her husband built as the key to her success: “I must have made tens of thousands of photos in that light tent. If there was anything I learned about photography, it was lighting. Lighting is everything. I don’t know about all this other stuff they talk about, but--by George-I can take a photo.”

And, by George, she can. Textures come alive. Narcissus blooms beam so

bright you can smell them. Coyotes stand on a ridge, and you can almost see the cold wind rolling across their fur. The truth becomes obvious--what Meints has are the true foundations of the artist: the ability to see beauty, the desire to share it, the tenacity to keep pushing the button until that

Expires May 31, 2017

perfect moment comes, and, of course, an eye trained to find the right light.

Meints was born, raised, and married in Nebraska.With her son and daughter already grown, she and her husband Don first came to Corinth in 2005 as the last of a series of job-related moves. Meints describes those moves as spiritually draining, having a toll that left her first Mississippi winter feeling especially cold.

The seasons were changing, though, and regular trips to the Corinth Public Library were going to have an effect that Meints could not have predicted: “In March, things started blooming.”

Meints began taking photos of the blossoming trees outside the library. Moved by the beauty of these, she wanted to share them.

“I had just gotten some 4x6es developed. I gave Ann Coker [the librarian at the time] some of them and told her to maybe put them in the breakroom,” but Coker saw the value of those photos as something far greater than breakroom decorations. see MEINTS pg 13

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The Community News Flash

Tips to Save More and Spend Wisely

(c) Iana_Kolesnikova - Fotolia.com

(StatePoint) Spending too much and not saving enough are easier habits to make than they are to break. Every so often, it’s important to take stock of the way you manage your money and make beneficial changes.

Think Long-Term Don’t neglect the future. It’s never too early to save for retirement. In fact, the sooner you start, the better off you will be.

Invest through a company-sponsored plan if possible. If not, look into IRAs that can help you grow your wealth exponentially.

Create Categorized Funds Consider the 52-week savings challenge. In the first week, save $1, followed by $2 the second week, all the way through week 52, when you put aside $52.

Sticking to this plan results in $1,378 saved over the course of a year, as well as any interest you’ve earned.

Creating a savings account for a specific purpose is a perennially sound savings strategy. Look for banks that are fee friendly, such as Ally Bank Member FDIC, ally.com, which allows you to open an Online Savings or Money Market account with no minimum and no monthly maintenance fee. You can deposit money easily through e-check deposit, direct deposit and you’ll earn interest compounded daily on your savings. In addition, putting this money in a separate account allows you to track your spending against the account balance.

Use Shopping Apps It is incredibly easy to save money with

a little online research. With a few minutes effort, you’ll find discount codes, loyalty programs or cashback websites that track your purchases and reward you for the extra step of navigating through their shopping portal instead of going straight to the big name retailers’ websites.

Reap Rewards While no personal finance expert would advocate running up credit card bills one can’t afford, savvy consumers know how to take advantage of credit card reward programs for hotel points, airline miles or just straight cash in their pockets.

“Use credit cards that reward you for the things you buy the most,” says Diane Morais, chief executive officer and president of Ally Bank, the direct banking subsidiary of Ally Financial Inc. There are often offers for opening a new credit card with a minimum spend, such as the Ally CashBack Credit Card, which provides a $100 bonus when you make $500 in eligible purchases during the first three billing cycles, and offers two percent cash back at gas stations and grocery stores, and one percent cash back on all other purchases -- as well as 10 percent bonus on rewards that are deposited into an eligible Ally Bank account.

If you don’t want to open a new account, check your current credit cards for promotions or cash back offers, which can add up quickly on everyday purchases.

With a little homework, you can alter your spending and savings habits, and make your money work harder for you.

April 2017

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April 2017

The Community News Flash

Top Tips for Understanding and Paying Back Your Student Loans

(c) PointImages - Fotolia.com

(StatePoint) With an estimated $1.3 trillion in student loans outstanding, it’s safe to say student loan debt is a reality for millions of Americans. While this figure may sound daunting, experts say that greater financial literacy can help students and graduates better understand their loans and pay them back.

“The reality is, people out there are hungry for information. They want to understand the facts when it comes to paying back student loans and the best way to do it,” says the educator turned hip hop artist Dee-1, who celebrated paying off his student loans by writing the song “Sallie Mae Back.”

To help students get on the right track, Dee-1 has teamed up with Sallie Mae to educate students on financing college, paying back loans, and managing finances. They are offering the following tips from the top of Dee-1’s paying back student loans playlist: • Know who you owe and how much. Understand

if your loan is from the federal government—about 93 percent of all loans are— or a private lender like Sallie Mae. If you are unsure, call your lender or check your credit report.

Be responsible. Know your monthly payment amounts and due dates.

• Separate wants from needs. Managing your money means managing your lifestyle. Prioritize payments you must make every month, and make sure your student loan is one of them.

• Exceed your own expectations. Pay more than the minimum amount due each month. If you get a raise or tax refund, use part or all of it to increase your monthly loan payment. The faster you pay off your loan, the less you’ll spend in the long run.

• Confront reality. If you run into trouble, don’t hide from it, don’t be embarrassed by it, and don’t give up. Stay positive, focused, and look for solutions. Call your lender or touch base

with your cosigner, if you have one.

• Get excited about your future! Be passionate about managing your money wisely and effectively. You can’t make your student loans disappear magically overnight, but you can make a plan for paying them back.

“The exhilaration Dee-1 expresses in paying off his student loans is contagious,” says Martha Holler, senior vice president, Sallie Mae. “We hope his excitement and his direct, doable tips help newly minted graduates get into the rhythm of repayment.”

For more information, visit SallieMae.com, a onestop resource that includes monthly budget worksheets, loan repayment calculators, and information about payment options -including the company’s Graduated Repayment Period, which allows graduates in good standing to make 12 months of interest-only payments before transitioning into full principal and interest payments.

New tech tools also are making managing loans easier than ever. For example, Sallie Mae recently unveiled a new mobile app — available for Apple and Android — to help customers manage their accounts, access loan information, and make payments from smartphones.

Don’t let the prospect of paying back student loans overwhelm you. Financial literacy is a game changer and can position you to move up in the workforce on good financial footing.

MEINTS.....from page 11 “I do believe in God’s intervention--in God’s providence,” Meints says.

Something that Coker believed in was the power of Meints’ photos--she had them displayed not in the breakroom, but as a full exhibition in the library. This exhibition gave way to more exhibitions. Talks and presentations with church and civic groups followed. That first exhibition was “all it took,” Meints relates. “The Lord will provide.”

Cheryl Meints became The Flower Lady.

A question many began asking The Flower Lady, who was still giving away her prints for free, was “How come you don’t charge for your photographs?”

Meints explains: “I’ve never gone after photography as a career or moneymaker...I see it as a calling. I feel I have been given gifts, and it’s a duty to share it with people...I like to document life. I never realized it until moving here--and with the grandkids--but this is what I have been doing over the years--for all my life.”

In 2010, the Meintses began their website (www.corinthrose.com) to document the photography of Cheryl and also Don, whom Cheryl credits as an apt photographer himself, though maybe not as prolific: “It was also in 2010 that Don suggested to Cheryl a trip they should take: Alaska. All they would need was the Ford pick-up and a couple of tents. Cheryl agreed, but not without qualification--“Every two or three days I have to be able to take a bath.”

The results of that trip are recorded on the Meints’ website, as are the results of the many such adventures they have taken since. Though a bout of pneumonia left the kids insisting that the tents had to go, the

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Meintses’ adventurous spirit hasn’t left them--it just sleeps in a camper trailer nowadays. Cheryl treasures the trips, which are a true cooperative effort between Don and her: he does the research and planning, and she does the documentation). Together, they do the living, though they plan a little more lightly than they used to: “If there’s anything we were taught from the Alaska trip, it is that you cannot schedule every day. You cannot plan life.” Adventures are not adventures without some changes and set-backs.

Cheryl is quick to point out that the beauty of these adventures is that not every moment was beautiful. Those moments that seemed the longest at the time inevitably became some of the most treasured.

It’s about contrast and balance--some photographic lingo that Meints well knows. That all important eye for recognizing the right light doesn’t come to those who haven’t lived through some darkness.

You don’t sharpen any tool without friction. Meints credits some of her darkest experiences with helping to shape the very talents that define her life and that she considers both a duty and a joy to share with others. She credits her family, her spirituality, and her craft for the happiness she has today, and she credits the negative experiences of her life with being able to truly value this happiness. When asked if there were any words that best summed up her life, she offered these: " In Christ alone my Hope is found. He is my Light...my Strength...my Song."

Behind a camera or not, it remains true: It’s all about the lighting.

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April 2017

The Community News Flash

6 Easy Ways to Take Better Care of Your Health (StatePoint) Periodically, it’s important to assess the state of your health and to set new goals for healthy living moving forward.

“Many people want to establish healthy habits. But for those with busy schedules and tight budgets, this can be a challenge,” says Jill Turner-Mitchael, senior vice president of Sam’s Club, Consumables and Health and Wellness.

To help people prioritize and maintain their health, TurnerMitchael and Sam’s Club pharmacists are offering tips that are practical and affordable.

• Secure Regular Screenings: It is important to get regular health screenings to keep track of the state of your health.

Routine tests are often the first to get postponed when people get busy, but they are crucial for helping ensure potential medical issues are identified and addressed as early as possible.

Resist the urge to let cost or time constraints prevent you from getting regular check-ups. For example, Sam’s Club offers free monthly health screenings to both members and the public, as well as free self-service health screening stations in most of its pharmacy locations from technology company higi, both of which include a wide range of tests to assess various health factors. Don’t forget regular vision and hearing tests, as well.

• Ask Questions: Don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek out advice for improving your health. One easily accessible professional resource that is often overlooked is your local pharmacist. Before visiting the pharmacy, consider whether you have

(c) Monkey Business - Fotolia.com

any health questions and jot them down. Pharmacists are eager to help people understand their medications and health, and you don’t need to go through the hassle of making an appointment.

• Focus on Fresh Foods: Incorporating fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and legumes into your meals can help you maintain a healthy weight, while also building your immunity and muscles. Smoothies, leafy green salads, vegetable stews and grilled fish are all great choices. You can also boost flavor with low-calorie ingredients that offer nutritional benefits, such as garlic, onion, spices and herbs.

Some retailers today make it easy for shoppers to identify

nutritious items. For example, Sam’s Club highlights healthy, organic foods with green tags.

• Select Supplements: Even the best diet can fall short of nutritional guidelines. Consider consulting with your healthcare professional about boosting your diet with a daily multivitamin or supplement tailored to your individual health needs.

• Verify Your Vaccinations: Immunizations can help prevent illness and save lives. Make sure you are current on all necessary vaccinations. Talk to your pharmacist about what vaccines you might need, which varies by age.

• Enjoy Winter Workouts: You don’t have to become a world class body builder or competitive triathlete to reap the health benefits of exercise. Exercise can help everyone boost immunity, improve cardiovascular fitness and speed up metabolism.

Even just committing to a midday walk or opting to take the stairs can make a big difference.

Some people find they are more likely to stick to a workout plan if they enlist friends or coworkers to join them. Many people also find it helpful to track their fitness goals and progress using wearable technology and smart scales, which can provide information on everything from your heart rate to your body mass index.

For more tips and information about affordable health care services and free screenings, visit SamsClub.com.

Make your goals a reality. Seek practical solutions to better health.

April 2017

15

The Community News Flash

'Poor Man's Bread' Makes a Rich Dish

The Passover holiday, also known as "The Feast of the Unleavened Bread," commemorates the Jewish exodus from Egypt and their freedom from slavery.

Matzoh, an unleavened type of bread, is traditionally eaten during Passover.

Matzoh also is called "poor man's bread." It is eaten during the holiday as a reminder to be humble, to always appreciate freedom and to not forget what life was like as slaves in Egypt.

Matzoh bread is similar to the type of bread eaten by the Hebrews during ancient times. The most common type of matzoh is

hard and cracker-like, although there is a soft matzo that is similar in texture to a flat bread. Modern types of matzoh include onion flavored, wholewheat and gluten-free.

My Spinach and Matzoh Pie recipe transforms the bread into a texture similar to phyllo dough by soaking it for 15 minutes. The Pie can be assembled (but not baked) 1 day ahead, covered and refrigerated. It also can be eaten hot or at room temperature, making it the perfect dish to take along when traveling to a Passover dinner.

SPINACH AND MATZOH PIE 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 3 tablespoons olive oil 2 (10-ounce) packages

en.

frozen, chopped spinach, thawed 3 tablespoons mild salsa 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons chopped dill or parsley, divided 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 (16-ounce) container ricotta cheese 2 cups half and half milk 3 large eggs 1/2 teaspoon Drogheria

CELEBRATE APRIL 22ND

& Alimentari Nutmeg Mill, grated nutmeg 6 ounces feta, crumbled (1 1/2 cups), divided 6 matzos (about 6 inches square) 1. Preheat oven to 400 F with rack in middle.

2. Cook onion in oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until golden, 12 minutes. Add garlic and cook 2 to 3 minutes to soft-

3. Meanwhile, put spinach in a sieve and press out as much liquid as possible. Add spinach and 2 tablespoons of salsa to onion and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 1/3 cup dill or parsley, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a 1/2 teaspoon pepper.

4. Puree ricotta cheese in a blender with milk, eggs, nutmeg, and the remaining 1 tablespoon of salsa and the 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper until smooth. Reserve 2 cups of the cheese mixture in a bowl and stir remainder in with the spinach, along with 1 cup of the feta.

5. Stack matzos in a deep dish and pour reserved cheese mixture

over them. Let stand 15 minutes to soften. Soaking allows the matzos to absorb the flavors and the moisture helps keep exposed matzo ends from burning.

6. Arrange 2 soaked matzos side by side in a generously oiled 13- by 9by 2-inch (3-quart shallow) baking dish. Pour in half of spinach filling. Cover with 2 more matzos, then pour in remaining filling. Put remaining 2 matzos on top and pour any remaining cheese mixture over them.

Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup feta.

7. Bake, uncovered, until golden and set, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool 10 to 15 minutes to allow dish to set up. Serve sprinkled with remaining 2 tablespoons dill or parsley. Serve hot or room temperature.

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April 2017

The Community News Flash

NEWS FLASH

Kids Zone

April 2017

The Community News Flash

PERSONAL FINANCE

Practical Money Matters

17

Practical Financial Planning for Parents-to-Be

By Nathaniel Sillin Planning for a baby is exciting and sometimes a little frightening for expectant parents, especially first-time parents. The months will fly by and soon you'll be at home embarking on an adventure along with the newest member of your family. Welcome to the excitement, exhaustion, fascination, bewilderment and love that is parenthood.

Along with the joy and ful-

fillment that a new baby brings, you'll have new financial responsibilities. Some costs are unavoidable, while others may largely depend on your discretion. Sticking to a financial plan could help you provide wonderful opportunities and experiences for your child while keeping your family's costs under control.

Preparing for the cost of birth. Paying down debt, creating a new budget, building an emergency fund, setting up automated personal finance software and reviewing the beneficiaries on your accounts could all be on your pre-birth checklist. You might not have the time or energy for these tasks once you're a parent.

You'll also want to review your health insurance policy and get a clear understanding of your coverage during prenatal care, labor and delivery.

Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and Medicaid plans always cover pregnancy and birth, but copays, coinsurance, deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket amounts can vary. You might not be covered at all if you have a grandfathered plan.

You can change to a new Marketplace plan, and add your child, after the birth as you'll be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period.

Saving money during the first few years. As you adjust to life as a new parent – sleepless nights, bath times and diapers galore – you'll likely be tempted by a wide range of childcare products. Some are necessary, but there are many ways to save on everyday infant purchases.

Ask at the hospital, research online and check with pediatricians for free childcare

samples. They may not last long, but having a stockpile of various sample-size products can come in handy. Also ask about a free breast pump, which you may have a right to with an ACA healthcare plan.

Consumables, such as formula, diapers and wipes, can be bought in bulk at warehouse stores or shipped to you via a subscription from an online retailer. Either option could provide long-term savings compared to buying as you go.

Discuss childcare options.

Some families need the income from two working parents, others can choose to stay at their job or become a fulltime parent.

Weighing the pros and cons of leaving work can be difficult as you'll want to consider a variety of ancillary costs and benefits. In the end, the deci-

sion may not be entirely financial. You could value extra parent-child time over a second income, even if it means living with a tighter budget.

But even if you're unsure of daycare, you may want to sign-up for local centers' waitlists now because it can take years to get a spot.

Plan for the worst-case scenario. As a parent, you're responsible for the wellbeing of your child. Now may be the time to prepare or revise a will and consider appointing a guardian. Also, if you don't have life insurance, this is a good time to start shopping for a policy. If something happens to you, life insurance can help provide financial support for your child in the coming years.

Whole or permanent life insurance policies will cover you for as long as you pay

Take Steps to Dispute Credit-Report Errors If you determine that there are errors on your credit report, it’s your responsibility to take the steps to have them corrected.

The National Foundation for Credit Counseling offers a list of ways to dispute credit errors: —Take advantage of the free annual report that all consumers can send for.

(Some states allow two free reports per year.) Get one from all three of the big agencies (TransUnion, Equifax and Experian), and check them carefully.

—If you plan to take a big financial step, such as applying home loan or buying a car, send for your credit reports at least three months in advance. If errors are found, you’ll have time to get them corrected.

—There is a specific process for getting misinformation corrected, but you need to take the first step. Contact the reporting agency by phone, mail or online.

—Expect a response within the required 30 to 45 days. The credit agency has to send the disputed information to the originating source and give it time to investigate. If the information

your premium while term life insurance covers you for a specific period, such as 10 or 20 years. Premiums on term policies may be lower than on whole life insurance, and this could be the better option if you're only looking for coverage while you support your child.

Bottom line: A new child will bring great joy to your family, and when wants or needs arise, you will want your finances to be in order.

Whether you're early in the planning process or already expecting, it's never too early to prepare for the cost of raising a child. After all, a new addition to your family is the best gift and the start of an amazing adventure.

Nathaniel Sillin directs Visa's financial education programs. To follow Practical Money Skills on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PracticalMoney.

is wrong, that source must make a correction and immediately notify all three credit reporting agencies.

—Each item on a credit report has a different value in determining your credit score. Note especially any information that isn’t about you, inaccurate credit limits, and any negative information that should have scrolled off your report at the end of the allowed period. If negative information is true, it won’t be removed immediately. For example, information about an unpaid judgment can stay for seven years, a bankruptcy for 10 years. After that, it must be removed.

—Don’t pay someone to fix your credit. You can do it for free, and will likely do a better job because of your own interest in making your credit report correct. If you do hire a creditrepair company, it is not allowed to ask for a fee in advance. Especially avoid companies that promise a quick fix.

They’re in no position to promise a fix of any kind, much less a quick one.

—Take advantage of the Statement of Dispute, your 100 words of explanation that gets attached to your credit file. That statement will be shown to anyone who pulls your credit report, or who has done so recently, if you request it.

David Uffington regrets that he cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into his column whenever possible. Write to him in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send email to columnreply@gmail.com. © 2013 King Features Synd., Inc.

The Community News Flash

18

April 2017

By Samantha Weaver

• When putting in new plants, tear tinfoil into strips, then use toothpicks or small stakes to pin them to the ground in your new garden. It will keep the cats out, and can even discourage birds.

• To remove the fat from your pot roast or other slow-cooked meat dish, refrigerate after cooking. The fat will float to the top of the juices and coagulate. Remove this layer of fat and then reheat.

• “My kids are long past wagon size, but their wagon isn’t done hauling yet.

I put it to good use in the garden. I can park it in the shed, stocked with all the things I might need. It’s very handy.”

— A.A. in Florida • “When starting a new exercise class, be sure to give it a full month before you decide whether you like it. Especially classes that are harder, since you might be very sore and think that means you don’t care for the class.” — L.M. in Virginia • “Dedicate a photo album to class photos. It will be easy to see the changes your little ones have gone through over the years. It’s especially nice when you include the individual portraits for each year and make the album for just one child. It makes a special gift, too.”

— J.K. in Pennsylvania • To sharpen a pair of worn scissors, try cutting through a piece of aluminum foil that is doubled or tripled over. Be sure to clean and dry scissors you use in the kitchen.

Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475 or e-mail JoAnn at heresatip@yahoo.com.

• It was Robert Kennedy who made the following sage observation: “One-fifth of the people are against everything all the time.”

• An adult ostrich can reach up to 9 feet in height and weigh upward of 300 pounds.

• The Taj Mahal, a tomb built by Indian Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most-visited tourist attractions in the world. It wasn’t always so, though; from the time of the building’s completion in 1643 until the British occupied the Indian subcontinent, only Muslims were allowed onto the grounds. If any non-Muslim ventured into the forbidden Taj Mahal, he or she was put to death.

• When World War I started, the U.S. Air Force had a grand total of 50 soldiers.

• The frigid island nation of Iceland is, by all accounts, a peaceful place.

In the entire history of the country, there has been only one armed robbery.

• When Albert Einstein was 9 years old, he still wasn’t able to speak fluently. His parents worried that he might be retarded.

• In 1957, famed crooner Frank Sinatra wrote for a magazine called “Western World” a piece that included the following: “My only deep sorrow is the unrelenting insistence of recording and motion picture companies upon purveying the most brutal, ugly, degenerate, vicious form of expression it has been my displeasure to hear, and naturally I’m referring to the bulk of rock ‘n’ roll.” He goes on to call it “the martial music of every sideburned delinquent on the face of the earth.”

• If you’re like the average human, your body produces about two quarts of saliva every day. *** Thought for the Day: “Enemies are so stimulating.” — Katharine Hepburn

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April 2017

The Community News Flash

19

Making Preparation for a Rewarding Summer Vacation

J. Moffett Walker, Retired Counselor & Author "Spring has sprung." Besides that, Easter is just around the corner. And, we have been blessed by God Almighty to be alive and functioning. We all need to be thankful To all students and their parents the dates on our calendars let us know that elementary, high school and college students will be out of school soon for their summer vacation. This article is a reminder to parents and to inform some students that preparation for the 2017 summer days need to be planned. What is it that the student needs to do? Being out of school with nothing constructive to do will usually make a boring summer experience. Watching television and videos all day or most of the time, I do not recommend.

What should parents and students do?

1. Whatever the answer, it needs to be practical, considering: location, time, cost and safety.

2. Some students may want to volunteer.

That is reasonably, but where?

3. Some students may want to work, but where?

4. Families may choose to take a vacation out of town.

5. Some students may choose some type camp.

Whatever is chosen, it must be coordi-

nated with the family plans. Otherwise, someone will be disappointed.

Working is practical, especially for juniors or seniors in high school and college students. Earnings from work can be applied to college expense, needed clothing or for items needed in college, such as a computer and printer. Also, work or volunteer experience look good on a resume'.

Larger cites have summer jobs programs for high school and college students, but smaller cities and towns students and parents must be more creative. The only thing I can suggest is to check with small businesses in your city or town. There are several places that may welcome serious volunteers. Included are a library, barber shop, beauty salon, senior citizen home, a church, dental office or a mom & Pop store, Whether one goes for a job interview or to volunteer, be sure to dress appropriately.

Young ladies need to wear a dress or top that covers the breast area. The skirt of paints must be long enough and loose enough to sit down comfortable. Young men must remember to wear a belt to hold the paints at waist line area and a shirt and tie will be preferable. Do not wear jeans or jogging paints, but dress slacks.

It is true that an individual has the right to dress as he/ she pleases. More importantly, it is true the employers have the right to select individuals to work at their places who dress appropriately to meet their clients. That means they have the right to reject anyone whom they feel will dress indecently.

Finally, let's discuss language. Standard English is expected to be used in all business operation. Stay on safe grounds and use it. Say, "thank you, I am sorry, excuse me, " if necessary. Be yourself. Do not try to be funny by saying "my old lady" for my mother, "my crib," for my home or " the pig" for a policeman.

Time is of essence. Get started planning to make the summer vacation rewarding for you and you family.

Oven-Braised Beef Brisket

Springtime Pork and Pasta Skillet Have you checked the calendar lately? Spring is just around the corner! The cold, dreary days of winter soon will be behind us, with nothing but sunshine and flowers ahead. Let’s celebrate with some of the flavors of the season.

1 1/2 cups chopped fresh asparagus 1/2 cup chopped red onion 1 full cup diced lean cooked roast pork or ham 1 (10 3/4-ounce) can reducedfat cream of mushroom soup 1 (2-ounce) jar chopped pimento, undrained 1/4 teaspoon dried minced garlic 2 cups hot cooked rotini pasta, rinsed and drained 1. In a large skillet sprayed with butter-flavored cooking spray, saute asparagus and onion for 6 to 8 minutes or just until tender. Stir in roast pork. Add mushroom soup, undrained pimento and garlic. Mix well to combine.

2. Fold in rotini pasta. Lower heat and simmer for 5 minutes or until mixture is heated through, stirring often. Makes 4 (1 cup) servings.

• Each serving equals: 241 calories, 5g fat, 18g protein, 31g carb., 331mg sodium, 3g fiber; Diabetic Exchanges: 1 1/2 Starch, 1 1/2 Meat, 1 Vegetable.

Visit JoAnna’s Web site at www. healthyexchanges.com or call 1800-766-8961 for more information about her “common folk” healthy recipes.

This beef brisket is a tasty centerpiece to a spring party or Passover table. Braised with white wine and garlic, it yields a flavorful sauce.

1 teaspoon dried oregano Salt & Pepper 1 (4 1/2 to 5 pounds) beef brisket 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 large (10 to 12 ounces each) onions, finely chopped 2 stalks celery, finely chopped 1 pinch crushed red pepper 1 head garlic 1 cup dry white wine 1 can (14 to 14.5 ounces or 1 3/4 cups) lower-sodium chicken broth 2 cups water Orange wedges, for garnish Fresh herbs, for garnish 1. Preheat oven to 300 F. In small bowl, combine oregano, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Rub all over meat.

2. Place wide-bottom 7- to 8-quart Dutch oven on top of range. Add 1 tablespoon oil; heat on medium-high until hot. Add meat and cook 8 to 10 minutes or until browned on all sides. Transfer meat to large platter.

Do not remove pan from heat.

3. Remove and discard all but 2 tablespoons fat from roasting pan.

Stir in onion, celery, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; cook 6 to 7 minutes or until golden, stirring occasionally.

Stir in crushed red pepper.

4. Meanwhile, separate cloves from head of garlic. With side of large knife, gently crush each clove to remove skin. Discard garlic skin.

Roughly slice garlic.

5. Return meat, and any juices from platter, to pan with vegetables.

Scatter garlic around meat. With wooden spoon, scoop some vegetable mixture over meat and pat gently to form coating. Add wine and cook 1 minute, then add broth and water.

Heat to boiling; cover and transfer to oven. Roast 3 1/2 hours or until brisket is very tender.

6. Carefully transfer meat to serving platter. With slotted spoon, transfer half of vegetables to small serving bowl. Transfer remaining vegetables to bowl of blender. Pour pan sauce into fat separator. Pour sauce into blender; discard fat. Blend sauce until smooth; makes 3 1/2 cups.

Recipe serves 10.

1. GEOGRAPHY: In which country is Mount Ararat located?

2. LITERATURE: Who wrote the novel “The Color Purple”?

3. DANCE: Who wrote the score for the American ballet “Rodeo”?

4. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president served as a congressman in the House of Representatives after finishing his presidential term?

5. HISTORY: What was the year of the first Thanksgiving feast in the New World?

6. MEASUREMENTS: How many inches are in a hand?

7. MEDICAL: What is a common name for the medical condition alopecia?

8. TELEVISION: What was the theme song to “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”?

9. ART: In what U.S. city is the National Gallery of Art located?

10. MOVIES: What was the name of the 2004 movie with the tagline, “A True Underdog Story”?

Answers 1. Turkey 2. Alice Walker 3. Aaron Copland 4. John Quincy Adams 5. 1621 6. Four inches 7. Baldness 8. “Love Is All Around” 9. Washington, D.C. 10. “Dodgeball”

1. Who holds the major-league record for most Gold Gloves awarded to a catcher?

2. The 1933 New York Yankees had nine future Hall of Famers on the roster. Name six of them.

3. Who threw the longest pass in Notre Dame football history?

4. Name the last Milwaukee Bucks player before Ersan Ilyasova in 2012 to have at least 25 points and 25 rebounds in a game.

5. When was the last time the Toronto Maples Leafs won a series in the NHL playoffs?

6. In 2012, Gabby Douglas became the third consecutive U.S. athlete to win the women’s Olympic all-around gymnastics title. Who were the previous two?

7. Which golfer has made the most appearances in the Ryder Cup? Answers 1. Ivan Rodriguez, with 13.

2. Earle Combs, Bill Dickey, Lou Gehrig, Lefty Gomez, Tony Lazzeri, Herb Pennock, Red Ruffing, Babe Ruth and Joe Sewell.

3. Blair Kiel completed a pass for 96 yards in 1981.

4. Swen Nater had 30 points and 33 rebounds against Atlanta in 1976.

5. It was 2004.

6. Carly Patterson (2004) and Nastia Liukin (2008).

7. Nick Faldo, with 11.

20

The Community News Flash

April 2017