The Community News Flash

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Vol 21, No. 12 • April 2022

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News You Can Use

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T'Keeyah Cummings Is Living Her Dream

By Angela Rogalski Growing up in Corinth, T'Keeyah Cummings always knew two things: she loved to talk to people and she reveled in the spotlight. Cummings was a member of the band at Corinth High School and after traveling to Atlanta with the band as a freshman and touring the CNN building there, she discovered she had a knack for news.

"They let one student go up to the news desk while we were there," she said. "And I sat down and started reading from the teleprompter and found out that I loved it. And I was pretty good at it. That experience stayed with me during the rest of my high school years.

In my junior year, I was asked what I wanted to do after graduation, as far as college and my career. I really wasn't sure, but I knew I loved talking and being in the spotlight. So my advisors suggested communications. That sparked my interest and when I delved into it more, I found out that becoming a reporter would be right up my alley. So, I stuck with that."

Cummings said that when she reached her senior year, her parents suggested going to Northeast for her prerequisites, which she did after high school graduation. But she never gave up on her passion for becoming a reporter.

"I did my two years at Northeast and continued my education at Mississippi State," Cummings added. "I graduated from Mississippi State after two and a half years with a degree in Communications/BroadcastDigital Journalism. But before I graduated I had been working as a production assistant at WCBI in Columbus, Miss. during my last semester of school.

When my graduation was approaching, I spoke with the news director about becoming a full-time reporter. I talked to him every week about it. Then I started going to the news meetings every day. I would go to the Return Address: P.O. Box 1292 Corinth, MS 38835

POSTAL PATRON

T'Keeyah Cummings

meetings first and then go work the rest of my production shift. I was very determined."

Today, Cummings' parents, who have always been supportive of her, still live in Corinth, but she's living that dream of being a reporter at WCBI-TV in Columbus. She's been with the television station for a little over a year now. As a reporter for the television station, she covers all types of stories, from

health to human interest and she loves it.

Along with becoming a reporter and any future goals Cummings is also engaged to be married to an up and coming pilot, Henry Scott Jr., and is just very happy with her life right now.

"I'm 23-years-old, and just taking my career slowly," she added. "I have a two-year contract with WCBI and I'm very happy here."

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April 2022

The Community News Flash

Editor’s Corner

Jerry W. Porter CEO/Publisher PO Box 1292, Corinth, MS 38835-1292 Cell: 662-643-6842 Email: read.newsflash@gmail.com

Tools, tools, tools! From the beginning of time man has had a need for the use of tools.

Two notable tools used in the Bible was the rod used by Moses and the slingshot used by David.

Moses used his staff to part the Red Sea and David made good use of a slingshot and five smooth stones. These two men are most noted for making good use of the tools that the Lord placed in their hands.

This is just an example of the tools the Lord placed in the hands of man. Not only did He place tools in man's hands, He placed a stone in the chimp's hands to crack open nuts, and He placed a stone in an otter's hands to crack open an oyster shell.

From the beginning, man realized tools were important because they were needed to perform different kinds of tasks. When crafting the use of tools, man learned that a projectile point is not suitable for butchering an animal. He realized a hand ax, or a knife is suitable for

Use What’s In Your Hands

chopping, a scraper is suitable for scraping fish, and needles are suitable for sewing.

Form, as they say, follows function, and with early humans thinking up all kinds of functions, they had to produce suitable forms for them, which means many types of tools. Even the Caveman and the Indians used stone to make arrows for their bows.

The use of tools must have been important or the Lord would not have placed them in the hands of men. God listed very specifically in His Word how we are to use our hands to save the lost, heal the sick, deliver the oppressed, to convey strength, to convey the gifts of the spirit, to convey the Holy Spirit and finance the end-time harvest.

Nevertheless, it starts with you realizing the power that is in your hands when you are obedient to God. So, this month I ask you, "What's that in your hands?"

When the Lord asked this question, the only thing in Moses' hand was a crude shepherd's rod. It wasn't much. Just a piece of wood. An inanimate object. A tool of Moses' trade. God was commissioning him for the daunting task of delivering over a million Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

When the Lord placed the five

smooth stones in David's hands, he defeated Goliath. Even Jesus used what was in His hands. He took the two fish and five barley loaves given to Him by a little boy standing nearby. Jesus used what was placed in His hand to feed five thousand and it was enough with 12 baskets of leftovers.

God works with what is in our hands. Many times we look outside ourselves for help to do something, thus doubting God's ability to use that which He had placed in our hands. He can take our little and make it into something more than enough for us and others if we learn to use what's been placed in our hands.

You see, the Lord has placed many tools (talents) in my hands. I use the Community News Flash newspaper to inform and inspire my readers each month, I send out a daily inspirational text called The Daily Dose to encourage others and I use Suits You Too men's clothing ministry to help men in need of clothing, just to name a few.

To His credit, the Lord has blessed me with a laundry list of tools (talents) in my toolbox and I use them to help others. This is just a hint as to what God might have you do if you pray and ask Him what He wants you to do with the

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.

This newspaper is designed to exhibit the positive by publishing only positive and uplifting personal profiles.

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.

Equal Opportunity. It is policy of the newspaper.

1. To employ people on the basis of their qualification and with assurance of equal opportunity and treatment regardless of race, color, creed, sex, age, sexual orientation, religion, national origin or handicap.

2. To not knowingly accept any advertisement, which implies and preferences limitation or discrimination based on race, color, creed, sex, age, sexual orientation, religion, national origin or handicap.

tools that He has given to you.

Again I ask, "What's in your

Whoo! Whoo! Until Next Time!

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Notable Quote “To the man who only has a hammer, everything he encounters begins to look like a nail.”Abraham Maslow

April 2022

APRIL BIBLE TRIVIA

If Your Business, Church, Civic Group or Organization would like to sponsor the Bible Trivia each month call (662) 643-6842 or email us read.newsflash@gmail.com

for sponsorship details.

1. What dreaming ruler gave Joseph his own ring?

2. In which of Jesus' parables does a ring play a part?

3. Who did King Ahasuerus of Persia give his ring to?

4. When Daniel was sealed up in the lion's den, who placed his sinet ring on the stone?

5. For what did the Isralites give up their rings and other jewelry?

6. After the death of Haman, who received the Persian king's signet ring?

7. Who wore a camel's hair tunic?

8. What king of Israel is mentioned as wearing a crown and a gold bracelet?

9. What Egyptain official was given fine linen, the pharaoh's ring, and a gold chain for his neck?

10. What people ha such well-made clothes that years of wilderness wandering did not even wear out their shoes?

11. Whose eye-catching cloak caused murderous envy in his brothers?

12. The bset-dressed man in Israel wore fine colored linenwith embroidered bells and pomegranates, a linen breastplate with gold and precious stones, and a gold studded hat? Who was he?

13. What down-and-out man is mentioned as having worn a gold earring in his better days?

14. Only one person is mentioned in the Bible as having worn gloves. Who? 15. What warriors were so extravagant that even their camels wore necklaces?

16. What people wore fine Egyptian linen and purple robes?

Send in your answers to the following Bible Trivia Questions and take a chance at winning a complimentary bible from the Community News Flash. Random drawing will be held monthly

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The Community News Flash

March Answers 1. Onesimus (Philemon) 2. Cornelius (Acts 10:7-8) 3. The highest priest's (John 18:26) 4. Abraham (Genesis 14:14-15) 5. Gehazi (2Kings 4:12) 6. Potiphar (Genesis 39) 7. Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 4:4) 8. Peter (John 18:10) 9. Naaman the Syrian (2 King 5:2-3) 13. Nehemiah 1:11 14. The chief butler and chief baker (Genesis 41) 15. Jacob (Genesis 29-31) 16. Pharoh's daughter's (Exodus 2:5) 17. Abimelech's (Judges 9:54) 18. Bihah and Zipah (Genesis 30) 19. The Egyptians (Exodus 1:13) 20. The parable of the tenants (mark 12:1-5)

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April 2022

The Community News Flash

Mental Healthcare and You – Finding the Right Fit

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(StatePoint) Searching for a mental health provider? You likely have questions.

Recent research from virtual care provider MDLIVE suggests that confusion around finding a mental healthcare provider is common. One in five surveyed said they were concerned about finding a provider match and 70% experience confusion and uncertainty about where to begin. The research also revealed that not everyone knows the difference between the various mental health professionals -- psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, mental health coaches and others.

“Many people are ready to get depression, anxiety and stress under control by working with a mental health professional, but get bogged down right from the start. Confusion about selecting a professional that best suits their needs causes a lot of people to give up. That’s something we want to change,” says Dr. Shakira Espada-Campos, who brings more than two decades of direct practice experience to her role as behavioral

health medical director at MDLIVE. To help you in your search, MDLIVE is answering some frequently asked questions: When is it time to see a therapist? Mental healthcare is selfcare that most everyone can benefit from. However, if your emotional state is interfering with your daily life, it’s definitely time to take action.

Beyond the common signs of mental illness, such as sadness, drug and alcohol misuse, trouble sleeping and mood swings, Dr. Espada-Campos notes that there are some often overlooked signals that could indicate it’s time to seek treatment. These include withdrawing from loved ones, feeling fatigued, having a lack of motivation and frequently “zoning out.” She also notes that life events such as decoupling, job loss or the loss of a loved one can often trigger the need for professional mental health support.

What’s the difference between therapists and psychiatrists? Psychiatrists and therapists can treat the same things, however, psychiatrists are med-

ical doctors who can diagnose psychiatric conditions and prescribe medication, while therapists are licensed providers who can evaluate and support people with emotional or behavioral health concerns through talk therapy.

What should one look for in a provider? Mental healthcare is highly personal and it’s essential that your provider is someone you can open up to, make progress with and not feel judged by.

A good place to start is by working with a provider who has experience treating patients like you.

Understand that you may not find the right therapist on your first try. Dr. Espada-Campos encourages individuals to both trust their feelings in this regard and to take an active role in their sessions by asking questions like, “What can I do to help my treatment?” and “How can we work together to achieve my goals?”

Does insurance cover therapy? In recent years, many health plans and employers have acknowledged the importance of mental healthcare and have expanded the resources available to their members and employees. Check coverage details online or through the plan’s call center. Alternatively, you may wish to seek counseling through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

EAP counselors can help with a variety of mental health concerns, however, members are typically restricted to a set number of sessions. If you’re suffering from a recurring mental health issue, check what options are available through your health plan.

Can therapists be seen remotely? Virtual care, an increasingly popular option, can provide private, convenient, quality care quickly, and is often offered by health plans.

For example, MDLIVE’s platform makes it easy to search for a provider that meets your needs and to schedule an appointment with one of their psychiatrists or licensed therapists. MDLIVE is a covered benefit for more than 60 million Americans through health insurers such as Cigna, Aetna, certain Blue Cross Blue Shield

plans, and many regional and local plans. To learn more or to register, visit www.mdlive.com.

Finding a mental healthcare provider can feel overwhelming. However, identifying what you want out of care and understanding the different treatments available can help demystify the process.

Tools and Strategies to Help Your Student Learn From Anywhere (StatePoint) With school districts in flux as the pandemic continues to evolve, students, parents and teachers have had to roll with the punches in order to adapt.

Here are three ways to ensure your student thrives during this unusual school year.

1. Supplement coursework: It has always been important to supplement classroom learning at home, and that’s particularly true right now. With large percentages of teachers out sick, and schools having to combine classes in order to keep students supervised, classroom learning has suffered. Digital resources however, such as Scholastic Learning at Home, offer activities, book clubs, homework help and more to help ensure younger students don’t miss out on the fundamental literacy skills they will need to build on their future success. To keep older students engaged, check out TEDEd, which offers thought-provoking content on a range of topics, as well as resources for parents and teachers.

2. Provide top-tier educational resources: Be sure your student has the proper tools needed to grasp the material in their most challenging classes, whether or not their teacher is in the room with them. For higher level math and science classes, that means having a user-friendly graphing calculator that brings the subject to life. For example, Casio’s fx-9750GIII leverages a new natural display feature, which allows for fractions, roots and other functions to appear on the screen as they are written in the textbook. This makes

: (c) Prostock-Studio / iStock via Getty Images Plus

for a seamless learning experience.

Students can also turn to online resources, such as ClassPad.net. This all-in-one, web-based mathematics creation and discovery resource is geared for K-12 and beyond and is an engaging tool for all students, including those learning remotely, those being homeschooled, or those who may need a little extra practice outside the classroom. Offering innovative features like unlimited customizable workspaces and the ability to create authentic mathematical text and easily adjust geometric objects, measurements and angles, ClassPad.net is free to all students and teachers.

3. Go the extra mile: Some school districts are choosing to cancel extracurricular activities that involve high-risk activities such as band, choir and certain team sports. From soccer drills to scales, you can encourage your child to continue to excel in these activities. Help them set up a space where they can effectively practice their skills at home, in the backyard or in a local park. When these programs return, your student won’t miss a beat.

Even if your child is not enrolled in a team sport, try to fill in gaps for missed P.E. classes by encouraging regular physical activity.

During a school year unlike any other, smart strategies and educational tools can help students meet the challenges associated with missed activities, disrupted lesson plans and other setbacks associated with the ongoing pandemic.

April 2022

Repay Social Security, Get a Bigger Check Here’s something you might not know: We can pay back the Social Security benefits we’ve received, and reapply for monthly benefits at a high rate.

Last year the Congressional Budget Office predicted that we’d receive Cost of Living Adjustments of 1.5 percent in our Social Security benefits. Well, the news is out: The Cost of Living Adjustment for those of us getting Social Security is going up by 2.8 percent in 2009, resulting in a whopping average benefit increase of $30.20. That amount, though, is going to keep 5 million of us living below the poverty line, because the cost of living in general has gone up. As an example, in the past eight years, COLAs have risen 19 percent while premiums for Medicare Part B have risen 93 percent. You don’t need a calculator to see the problem with that.

Now it turns out that for some of us, there might be a way to increase our Social Security benefits every month.

I say “some of us” because I personally don’t know many who could amass that amount of cash — every dime you’ve received has to be paid back.

Still, there must be some of us who could do that. The financial gurus are touting this (sending back the money) as a way to purchase an annuity that’s a much better deal than you can get from insurance companies that sell annuities.

If you want to investigate this option, get expert advice from multiple sources. Some considerations: If you have that much money available, do you want to leave it to your heirs instead? What if you die tomorrow?

Will your increased Social Security benefits be taxable, making the increase not so much of a good deal after all?

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

Many Ways to Treat Varicose Veins DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am a 52-year-old lady with bad varicose veins in both my legs. How did I get them? My legs get tired easily, and they hurt if I have to stand for any time. A friend told me about an injection in the veins that gets rid of them. Can you tell me what that is?

My husband has them too, and he’s also interested in getting rid of them. I didn’t know men got them.

— L.T. ANSWER: Varicose veins are dilated, gnarly leg veins that aren’t limited to women. Men get them too, but women with varicose veins outnumber men by a factor of 2-to-1.

You got them like most people get them. There’s a strong family influence in coming down with varicosities. Pregnancy, jobs where people must be on their feet for long times and obesity are other factors that generate such veins. I just learned that taller people have them more frequently than shorter folks.

The basic problem is faulty vein valves. Veins are equipped with valves that close shut as blood passes by to keep it from falling back down. If legvein valves aren’t working, blood does fall back down, and it stagnates in the legs and dilates the veins, causing them to balloon.

You can do some things on your own to improve the situation. Take a couple of breaks during the day when you can lie down with your legs raised above heart level. Compression stockings keep blood flowing upward in leg

veins. The best are ones that are specially fitted for your legs and that have more compression at ankle level than at thigh level.

Removal techniques are many. You ask about sclerotherapy. In that procedure, a solution that irritates the veins’ inner lining is injected into them. The lining sticks to itself, and the vein collapses. It’s not used for all veins. It doesn’t work well for very large ones.

Catheter ablation is another newer technique where a thin, flexible tube — a catheter — is threaded into the veins. The catheter has a probe that emits radio waves that heat the lining and cause the vein to shrivel. The menu for varicose-vein treatment is large; this is only a small sample of what can be done.

The booklet on varicose veins explains this condition in detail. Readers can obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue — No. 108W, 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: Please explain the meaning of “homonymous hemianopsia.” I am a senior and a diabetic. Does it have anything to do with either? — J.B. ANSWER: Hemianopsia is a loss of half the visual field. For example, a person can see from the center to the right but not from the center to the left.

Homonymous (hoe-MON-uh-mus) indicates that both eyes have the same defect.

Head trauma, brain tumors, strokes and a few other conditions cause such a vision loss. Diabetes and aging are not common causes. *** 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 328536475. © 2008 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved

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The Community News Flash

MONEY

Tips to Spring Clean Your Personal Finances

Tips to Keep Young Minds Active Over Spring Break

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(StatePoint) Tax season is in full swing, and the IRS has processed and delivered more than $1 billion in refunds so far this year. Whether you’re receiving a tax refund or not, now may be the perfect time to spring clean your personal finances. Here are a few ways to get started: • Save those extra funds: Studies show the latest tax refund trends are using the influx towards paying down debt and setting it aside to save up for large purchases like a car or home. To get in on the trend, start by tracking your monthly expenses and categorizing each expense as a want or a need.

Avoid using a credit card if you are unable to pay the balance each month to avoid interest charges, and make a plan to pay off any outstanding debt. Financial experts recommend having an emergency fund covering three to six months of living expenses if you can. If not, start with an emergency fund goal of $1,000.

• Get invested: Investing can be the best way to grow your financial portfolio.

According to a recent study from MagnifyMoney, more than three-quarters of millennials wish they would have started investing earlier. The main factors that respondents cited preventing them from investing are lack of knowledge, feeling intimidated and feeling overwhelmed about where to start. There is hope and help – many financial institutions offer free online workshops and opportunities to work with an

advisor to help guide you through your financial future.

• Reassess monthly bills and spending habits: Now is a great time to review your monthly expenses and see what you can adjust or live without. Simple changes like cutting down on eating out or canceling subscriptions you don’t use can have a large impact. Shopping around for homeowner’s or car insurance is also a great way to secure some extra savings. Phone plans and home internet bills are other must-have services to shop for price comparisons and savings. TMobile offers rate plan discounts for first responders, active-duty military and military veterans, and those ages 55 and up. T-Mobile also offers 5G Home Internet – available to more than 30 million households nationwide – for just $50 per month with Auto Pay. And, you don’t have to be a T-Mobile wireless customer to take advantage of the service.

• Treat yourself: Spoiling yourself from time to time is not a bad thing, in fact, studies from the American Psychological Association have shown it to be a good boost to your overall mental health. Consider using a portion of your refund to upgrade your smartphone, take a trip to a new destination, treat someone special in your life or donate to one of your favorite organizations, because you only live once.

However you plan to use your tax refund or set finance goals this year, make a plan and stay consistent.

April 2022

(StatePoint) No matter the length of a vacation, students often have some catching up to do upon their return to school.

However, it doesn’t have to be this way. Check out these five spring break ideas that will keep young minds active and engaged, for a smooth transition back to the classroom.

1. Host a read-a-thon: Get inspired by the reading challenges hosted by schools and libraries during the long summer break and host a mini event this spring. Invite your child and their friends to participate. You might even want to add a philanthropic element -- have participants get sponsored by friends and family to earn money based on the amount of reading they do. (Because of the short duration of the event, you may choose to have pledges be based on the number of pages or chapters a student reads, instead of entire books.)

Donate the money raised to a local charity.

2. Pick up a new instrument: Spring break can be a great time to immerse oneself in a new instrument. To build a solid

musical foundation fast, consider a keyboard designed with beginners in mind. For example, the compact and portable, 61-key Casiotone CT-S200 allows students to make music from anywhere during their break, and has an array of useful features: a metronome to help with lessons, app connectivity to make learning fun, and built-in speakers for cranking up the tunes.

3. Get outdoors: What do physical activity and time spent outdoors have in common? They’re both beneficial for cognition and brain health. Take advantage of the warm spring weather to hit up a local park, trail or nature center and get moving as a family.

4. Make math a game: Use the time away from school to show kids that math is not just for the classroom. From puzzles to patterns to logic challenges, recreational mathematics can reintroduce an often dry subject to students in a way that is fun. Equip your child with a calculator, which can be used to play a variety of games. The basic, scientific and graphing calculators from Casio are easy to use and can be part of the fun.

5. Get creative: Whether it’s writing poems, painting a portrait or putting on a play, making art can boost self-esteem while offering kids an outlet for self-expression. It’s also a fun way to keep the mind active during the break.

Not only is a week off from school the perfect time to explore interests, take up new hobbies and to be creative, engaging in these activities can help make the transition back to school after spring break easier.

April 2022

The Community News Flash

7

The Therapeutic Corner: SELF CARE: YOU MATTER Self-care…. This is a term that is beginning to be used in the millennial culture. People say phrases such as I matter, I am setting boundaries, I am putting me first, etc. Although the self-care phrases are being seen more often in this time, the term itself is not new. What exactly is self-care? How do we get optimal selfcare? Do I have a self-care routine?

Self-care is not a term used to be selfish or to self-indulge. According to MerriamWebster dictionary, self-care is the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one's health. Self-care means taking care of yourself

to be healthy, be well, do your job, help, and care for others, and do all the things you need or want to accomplish in the day. Self-care is

more than just physical or medical. It is emotional, spiritual, financial, social, etc. We must consider all parts of ourselves to be well.

We live in a society that has several daily stressors. There is an epidemic of individuals who experience the symptoms daily of anxiety and depression. Selfcare can be part of the solution as it pertains to daily stressors. The world we live in is so fast past, and it is even more so now than ever with the pace of technology and that being the basis of how we communicate and complete work tasks. With the pandemic beginning a couple of years ago, people felt lonelier and more isolated and now they are having to transition back to the business of the day.

Whether you are a stay-at-home mom, working father and husband, or simply trying to keep up yourself and all your many to-do's, it is important to check in with yourself. When was the last time you asked yourself this question: How am I doing? We ask everyone else how they are doing, but what about asking ourselves that question. When you check in with yourself,

it allows you to self-investigate what you need and when you need it. I want to share with you some basic self-care tips you add to your toolbox if you ever need them.

1. Eat a well-balanced nutritious meal a. Are you taking vitamins? b. Are you getting enough fruits and vegetables?

2. Get enough sleep. a. Some of us need 8 hours. Some of us only need 6 hours. Just get what you need.

3. Be kind to yourself. a. If you need to take time off, do so. b. If you need to sleep instead of going to the party or hanging out, then do so. c. It is okay to say NO. 4. Exercise a. Some fresh air and Vitamin D are so good for you. Take time to get outside and move. b. It does not have to be fancy, just do it like

Nike.

5. Live in the present a. Most of us worry about the past or we are consumed with the future. b. Try to focus on here and now.

6. Start a gratitude journal a. This helps with staying in the present. b. This also allows you to realize the benefits or blessings in your life.

7. Take dedicated breaks from electronics a. This can be done by going outside to exercise or reading a book.

The items listed previously are just a few suggestions to maintain a healthy you. There are other things that you can create and add to your list. Take some time today. Right now!

Self-care should not be a special occasion, but a daily occasion.

You can like The Healing Page on Facebook. We go live twice a month on Mondays at 7:30 pm. We discuss the holistic health of an individual. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel, the Healing Room w/ N. Fleming.

"Our wounds are often the openings into the best and most beautiful parts of us." David Richo

Sunday, April 17

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April 2022

The Community News Flash

Playing To Win

By Angela Rogalski he's also attuned to his academics, with Sports and academics someplans of doing something major with times go hand-in-hand. And his degree after graduation. that's definitely true for "I'm not going to say that I Corinth native, Tada Stricklen. wouldn't love to play professional Stricklen is a senior at the basketball," he added, "because that University of Tennessee at might be in the cards for me someChattanooga, majoring in day. But my main goal is Business Management, obtaining my degree in but also loves and plays Business Management the game of basketball and basketball can for his university. make many connecStricklen plays combo tions for me in my guard for the university chosen field. So I and while he's a senior try and utilize all in academics, he's a the tools availsophomore on the able to me court due to because my COVID. career goals in "I'll graduBusiness ate this Management year," are very he important said, too." "but I'll Tada Stricklen play again because I'm Stricklen said returning to get my that truthfully, his master's degree. I'm a future goals change on a sophomore playing basdaily basis right now, as he ketball because of the loves basketball and his acapandemic and I was injured demics. my first year of college. But His family is very supportI'm back at a hundred perive of him and while his grandcent now." mother still lives in Corinth, his Stricklen says he parents, along with his three loves the game and siblings now reside in Orlando. wanted to play in college due to watch"I definitely plan on coming back to ing the older kids at Corinth High Corinth for visits after graduation," School and the Corinth Boys and Girls Stricklen said. "I want to stay connectClub play the game. ed to my city because I love my home"When I was younger, I'd watch the town very much. But due to opportuniolder guys play at the Boys and Girls ties, I'll probably have to move to a Club or the high school and the compe- larger city for job options. And I really tition of it all just excited me," he love the game of basketball and you added. "I just grew to love the game. I never know what might happen in the graduated from Corinth High School next year or so. If I had an extraordiand when I decided to come to the nary season and an offer to go pro University of Tennessee at came in, I'd definitely love to get paid Chattanooga, it seemed natural for me to play." to play basketball."

But while Stricklen loves the sport,

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April 2022

Meet the Mayors

Whether it’s in a big city or a small town, being mayor is a prestigious honor. Along with the glory comes plenty of hard work. Part-time or full-time, mayors do so much more than show up to board meetings once or twice a month and cut ribbons at business openings.

It takes a special person to step up and lead their community. A mayor will field phone calls at all hours, deal with town emergencies and always work to improve the overall quality of life of the community they and their voters love to live in.

The Community News Flash is proud to introduce you to area mayors in the series Meet the Mayor.

The Community News Flash

9

Meet the Mayor: Farmington’s top official works till the job is done

By Lucy Weber Reece Wallin enjoys leading his local government from the mayor’s seat in Farmington City Hall.

Wallin, elected to his first political office in 2020, is already planning to run for reelection in 2024. His goal for small Alcorn County community is to see the town grow in both population and business in the coming years.

“I didn’t realize that there was so much involved” in being mayor, he said. “It has been a learning process.

Coming from a corporate background, I have learned that government is so much different. It is rewarding, though, to interact with citizens and to address their needs.”

While the elected post is

This a call for all civic groups, church members and concerned citizen to come out and participate in the community wide clean up day.

I’m asking all pastors to galvanize their members to participate in this gallant effort.

Plans have been set for Saturday, April 23rd from 8 am-12 noon. We will meet at the corner of Meigg St and Crater St. Please join us in this cleanup effort.

considered a part-time one, Wallin said his hours are “however long it takes to get the job done.”

Since taking office, the mayor said interest in the operation of city government continues to rise as more and more residents attend the board members on the third Tuesday of each month where Wallin and the five aldermen, all elected at-large, discuss and make decisions in the best interest of the 2,155 residents.

Wallin entered the mayor’s race after two citizens, who knew him and his background, asked him to run. “I started talking with other citizens and all said it was time for a change, so I gave it a shot and won.”

Wallin’s business background comes in handy in dealing with the operation of the town.

A graduate of David Lipscomb University with a degree in accounting, Wallin earned a Master’s in Business Administration from Belmont University. Wallin worked in the manufacturing, human services and construction industries with positions including controller, chief financial officer and Information technologies director in jobs that took him and his family around the globe.

He grew up in Gary, Indiana, where his father worked in the steel mills.

Before Wallin’s junior year in high school, the family moved to Farmington where his parents owned 200 acres.

Wallin and his wife Rebecca retired home to Farmington in 2014. The couple has been married for 45 years. Rebecca is the daughter of the former Tom’s Peanut distributor Billy McEwen.

Mayor Chris Wallin

They are the proud parents of son Daniel, who has a communications type business and lives in Nashville, and daughter Emily, a veterinarian in Dahlonega, Georgia.

So far in his term, Wallin said he and the Board of Aldermen have been busy.

“We have expanded the size of our town with the annexation of 240 homes. We are in the process of finalizing the construction of restrooms in our city park. Two new businesses have opened in our town with another to be opened very soon.”

Farmington’s elected officials are also dealing with several major issues. “One is the American Rescue Plan, money we received from the federal government, and the ARPA matching grant money that the Mississippi Legislature is dealing with and the (other issue) is medical marijuana legislation. Also, our sewer system requires a lot of attention. A

priority is to upgrade our existing sewer system along with expansion of the system.”

Farmington has five fulltime employees and eight parttime employees, who work in the Police Department.

“Farmington has one of the best volunteer Fire Departments in the state of Mississippi. There are currently 48 volunteer firemen,” the mayor said.

Farmington is a wonderful place to live and raise a family, Wallin said. “It’s a quiet community and the people are friendly. We have a great citizenry.”

The town is known for its history concerning the Civil War. “The battle of Farmington occurred on May 9, 1862. The town was unincorporated at that time.

Farmington was re-incorporated in 1997,” Wallin said.

Mayor Chris Wallin thinks that it’s the right time to live in Farmington

10

The Community News Flash

Helping Schools and Students Recover From Pandemic Challenges

(c) Lucy Lambriex / Getty Images

(StatePoint) Over the past two years, public schools have faced continual disruptions brought about by COVID-19.

Experts say that federal relief funds have given the nation a one-time opportunity to learn from the experience and to focus recovery efforts and resources on delivering highquality instruction and support for students in ways that will accelerate their learning and meet their social and emotional needs.

“The federal government has provided $189 billion in resources for states and localities targeted at education recovery. If unchecked and unsupported, states risk bending to the pressure of forces more concerned with political expediency and ideology than sound policy that helps students,” says Jim Cowen, executive director of the Collaborative for Student Success. “Parents, educators, administrators and policymakers deserve credible information about effective policies and practices that are using these funds to accelerate student learning.”

According to Cowen, this is why the Collaborative for Student Success, in partnership with The Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE) and

the Edunomics Lab at Georgetown University, launched EduRecoveryHub.org, a one-stop resource that showcases emerging practices in schools supported with Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funding (ESSER) and other federal recovery funds that can be replicated nationwide.

From improving school facilities to easing teacher shortages, the site provides insights into the smart investments that best ensure schools recover stronger and every student benefits. Parents and families can use this site to advocate for their students and point to good ideas that meet specific needs as they talk to teachers, principals, and school board members.

Educators and district staff can learn from their colleagues about ways in which they are overcoming the lingering challenges of the pandemic. The site also allows policymakers to reference and compare state-bystate recovery information and access expert analysis from diverse viewpoints. A panel of national and state-based organizations and experts serving or representing parents, school and district leaders, classroom educators, and the civil rights community review and comment on

specific practices they support.

“As difficult as pandemic learning has been, our research has shown many bright spots: schools and educators who have gone above and beyond by making powerful connections with students, finding creative ways to deliver personalized learning, and working with community partners to ensure students are healthy and ready to learn,” says Robin Lake, director of CRPE. “But many of these efforts are ad hoc. The unprecedented federal investment will allow school systems to implement effective approaches -- if they pay attention to what we know has worked.”

“The federal investment represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for school districts to help students re-engage in school, get back on track in reading and math, and earn sufficient credits to graduate ready for college or a career,” says Chad Aldeman, policy director of Edunomics Lab. “In the wake of the pandemic, we are seeing districts use funds in new ways to address challenges and improve student outcomes.

These savvy, nimble investments may catch on in other communities and help propel students forward.”

Interactive and easy-to-use, the EduRecoveryHub is updated frequently. Individuals or organizations can reference these evolving resources or share their own examples of innovative programs in education by visiting edurecoveryhub.org.

From innovative ways to address student mental health needs to work being done to accelerate academic learning, spotlighting education recovery efforts across America can spark progress and improvements in other communities.

April 2022

April 2022

11

The Community News Flash

NEWS FLASH

Kids Zone

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April 2022

The Community News Flash

Luscious Lunches Are you sick of sandwiches, chips and baby carrots? The healthy and resourceful ideas below can spice up your lunchbox, require minimal preparation time and will help you look forward to your noon meal again.

Pasta Noodles Cook up a batch of noodles the night before and store them in the refrigerator, or use leftover pasta noodles, and you have the beginnings of a tasty cold salad for lunch. Fill one-half of a bowl-sized portable container with cold noodles. Add bite-sized cooked meats or fish, or throw in some beans or nuts. Chop a tomato, some mushrooms, peas, black olives, onions, spinach, celery, carrots, asparagus -- anything you find appealing and have on hand. Grapes, raisins, strawberries and apples can be added, too. For more flavor, add cheese, an herb blend, some light

mayonnaise, olive oil and lemon juice, or your favorite dressing.

Rice Rice is a healthful and filling grain.

Choose brown rice to add the health benefits of whole grain to your meal. Line a tortilla, lettuce or cabbage leaf, or a sheet of nori (seaweed) with cold, cooked rice.

Then add your favorite filling, such as tuna, cheese, nuts, sliced vegetables, citrus fruits or whatever your taste buds dictate! Add a sauce if you like such as salsa,

light sour cream or soy sauce. Roll up your treat and slice it into 1- to 2-inch sections for a noontime treat -- either heated or cold.

Dips Everyone loves dipping foods, so make your lunch a festive dipping occasion! Pack foods that are long and thin: sliced peppers, carrots or celery; asparagus, beans or pea pods; pretzels, bread sticks or cheese strips; or apple, orange or pear slices. Peanut butter, light cream cheese, yogurt, soy sauce, salsa, tomato sauce and salad dressings make great dips and can quickly be poured into a small container for lunch on the go. If you have more time, try crafting your own dips.

Canned pumpkin can be blended with light cream cheese with a little maple syrup for a sweet dip. Chickpeas, garlic, lemon juice and tahini (sesame paste) pureed together make a nice hummus base to which you can add spices for more flavor. Minced garlic, chopped basil, Parmesan cheese and olive oil make a hearty pesto; add ground nuts for more texture.

Don't forget safety! If you're packing your lunch to take with you, keep your foods at a safe, cold temperature. Put your water bottle in the freezer the night before, and pack the bottle close to the perishable foods in your lunch pack. That way you can enjoy ice-cold water with your lunch.

My recipe for Protein-Packed Pasta Salad is a great way to use leftover pasta and vegetables. It's also an interesting way to incorporate alternative sources of protein into your diet in the form of lentils.

It's delicious hot or cold and makes lunch a luscious affair!

PROTEIN-PACKED PASTA SALAD Lentils are often used as a meat substitute throughout North Africa and the Middle and Far East, and provide the protein in this nourishing salad. Lentils come in three main varieties and colors: French brown, Egyptian red and yellow lentils.

Lentils are easy to cook, but canned varieties also work well in this salad.

2 cups (about 6 ounces) spaghetti or small, whole-wheat shell macaroni 1 (15-ounce) can lentils, drained

6 cherry tomatoes, cut in half 3/4 cup chopped broccoli, green beans or asparagus 1/4 cup chopped red or green bell pepper 1/2 purple onion, diced 1 stalk celery, diced 1/2 large carrot, sliced into rounds 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 cup Light Italian salad dressing 3 cups Romaine lettuce, torn 1. Cook pasta according to the package directions. Drain pasta and set aside.2.

Drain the lentils. In a large mixing bowl, combine lentils, pasta, tomatoes, broccoli (or green vegetable of choice), bell pepper, onion, celery, carrots, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper. Toss to mix.

3. Pour Italian salad dressing over pasta mixture. Toss to coat. Cover and chill for 2 hours to allow the flavors to combine. Serve on a bed of Romaine lettuce. Makes 4 servings.

April 2022

The Community News Flash

By Samantha Weaver

• “I really abhor bar soap, but my husband prefers it. After cleaning the soap dish, I smear it with petroleum jelly. I do the underside too. There’s a little lip that will keep the soap from sliding off, but the petroleum jelly keeps the inevitable sludge from sticking to the soap dish, making my cleaning routine much easier!” — A.D. in Idaho • “I make my own little good-behavior coupons for my three children. I print them on different colors of paper for each child. They can cash in coupons for activities or rewards, and if they go in together to get something, I will give them bonus coupons for working together. I think this has made goal-setting a priority for them, and it has helped them learn the lesson of shared goals — an important one for a large family.” — R.V.F. in Arizona • “When I go to the grocery store, I put my wallet in my pocket, then as I move through the store and determine which coupons I will be able to use, I put them in my wallet pocket. Since I have started doing this, I have not accidentally forgotten to use my coupons. They are there in my pocket when I am ready to pay.” — O.B. in Indiana • To keep dirt from sticking to your dustpan, try spraying it lightly with furniture polish. Buff slightly and floor dirt will slide right off.

• “I found a small waste basket that fits right between the wall and my dryer. There’s a gap that’s about 8 inches wide. The lip of the basket keeps it from sliding down to the floor, so it’s easy to clean out the lint trap and put the waste in the basket. Also, I used a strip of hook-and-loop tape to attach a tissue holder box vertically to the wall.

I stick a box of fabric softener sheets in it, and they, too, are right where I need them.” — T.K. in Nevada 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 W.C. Fields who made the following observation: “Women are like elephants to me. I like to look at them, but I wouldn’t want to own one.”

• Those who play the word game Scrabble (and some others) may realize that the most frequently used letter in the English language is “e,” and a few may even be aware that No. 2 and No. 3 are “t” and “a,” respectively.

Hardly anyone knows the full ranking, though. So, for your enlightenment, here is the entire alphabet in order of how often each letter is used in English: etadinshrdlucmpfywgbvkjxzq.

• Experts on feline anatomy say that a normal cat has 230 bones in its body, but it doesn’t have a collarbone.

• The longest regularly scheduled, nonstop commercial airline flight in the world is 18 hours long, from Newark, N.J., to the island nation of Singapore in Southeast Asia.

• To date, no president of the United States has been an only child.

• Visiting the Grand Canyon is something every American should do at least once in his or her life, but there are a couple of things that should be kept in mind when making the trip. If you go hiking and get into dire straits, an emergency rescue will cost in the neighborhood of $2,000. Also, an average of five people fall to their deaths in the Grand Canyon every year.

• Pretty much everyone has wisdom teeth — at least until some dentist removes them — but they’re not known as wisdom teeth everywhere.

In Romania, they’re called “mind teeth,” in Turkey they’re known as “20-year teeth,” in Korea they’re called “love teeth,” and in Japan they’re referred to as “unknown-toparent teeth.” *** Thought for the Day: “The hardest thing to understand is why we can understand anything at all.” — Albert Einstein

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April 2022

The Community News Flash

14

Survey Reveals Optimism Among Business Owners, Despite Challenges

(c) FlamingoImages / iStock via Getty Images Plus

(StatePoint) Supply chain issues top the list of concerns for small business owners over the last six months, but they see those pressures easing by mid-year, according to new research. In the meantime, inflation is expected to continue impacting business owners, with a majority planning to further raise their own prices.

The latest PNC semi-annual Economic Outlook survey of small and mid-size business owners and executives is a good gauge of the overall economy, however analysts point out that the situation in Eastern Europe that’s unfolded since has likely intensified some of the sentiments expressed by respondents.

“The events in Ukraine were not on the minds of business owners when the survey was conducted in January,” says PNC chief economist, Gus Faucher, “There was concern at that time about rising prices, and that worry has likely intensified, given the rapid increase in energy prices, among other factors.”

In January, 34% of owners who rely on a supply chain said timeliness had worsened in the previous six months and 28% of businesses that rely on inventory are faced with the challenge of not having enough supply to meet expected demand.

However, 57% expect these issues to improve in the next six months.

“Supply chain problems have been a big contributor to the highest inflation the U.S. has seen in almost 40 years. But it’s encouraging that most small businesses see this easing soon,” Faucher said. ”The wild card now is how long inflationary factors due to the Ukraine crisis last.”

Rising prices also are on the minds of business owners – 51% expect to increase their prices in the next six months and 34% percent say their prices have already gone up in the past six months.

“Six months ago, businesses were raising prices because demand was strong enough that they could. Now it appears

higher costs are forcing them to,” Faucher said.

Turnover and Hiring Impacts Forty-three percent of business owners report losing staff since the start of the pandemic, which they agree is bad for business. Top reasons for employee departures are illness or death (50%), worker concerns over health or safety (46%), and changes in lifestyle or priorities (36%).

Among businesses with employees, 26% say it’s become harder to hire qualified personnel. Businesses are responding to recruiting challenges, most notably through improved work conditions, like health and safety improvements, allowing more flexible work arrangements, and increasing compensation. In the meantime, businesses are coping with worker shortages by increasing existing employees’ workloads, having owners or managers cover shifts and by increasingly relying on technology or automation.

Other key survey findings include: • Vaccine boosterism: Fifty-six percent of business owners say a majority of their workforce has a COVID-19 booster vaccination. Sixty-five percent have taken some action to encourage boosters through a requirement (31%), assistance and/or education (29%), incentives (22%) or restrictions for those who choose not to receive the booster (19%).

• Tempered optimism: Business leaders’ expectations about their own companies remain strong with 47% feeling highly optimistic and only 2% feeling pessimistic. However, their outlook for the national and local economies has shifted to cautious.

• Business adaptation: Small and midsized businesses have made dramatic, lasting changes to adapt to the pandemic environment. Ninety-two percent have made at least one change to policies, processes, operations or use of technology, and almost all of those owners expect one or more of the changes to become permanent.

For full survey results, visit pnc.mediaroom.com.

Labor and supply shortages continue to plague small and mid-sized businesses.

Despite these challenges, there’s prevalent optimism, which experts say is an encouraging sign of what’s to come.

New Banana Tea Bread

by Healthy Exchanges

Chili Cheesy Biscuit Casserole Here’s a change for you chili lovers.

It’s like getting your chili and cornbread all in one dish.

1/2 cup finely chopped onion 1/2 cup finely chopped green bell pepper 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar Twin or Splenda Granular 2 teaspoons JO’s Chili Seasoning or any chili seasoning 1 cup Bisquick Heart Smart Baking Mix 3 tablespoons (3/4 ounce) shredded Kraft 2 percent Cheddar cheese 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes 1/3 cup fat-free milk 1 egg or equivalent in egg substitute 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon yellow cornmeal Preheat oven to 400. Spray an 8-by8-inch baking dish with butter-flavored cooking spray. In a large skillet also sprayed with cooking spray, sauté onion and green pepper for 5 minutes. Stir in undrained tomatoes, kidney beans, brown sugar and chili seasoning. Spoon mixture into prepared baking dish.

In a medium bowl, combine baking mix, Cheddar cheese and parsley flakes.

Add milk and egg. Mix well to combine. Spoon batter over kidney bean mixture. Evenly sprinkle cornmeal over top. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Place baking dish on a wire rack and let set 5 minutes. Divide into 6 servings.

• Each serving: 187 calories, 3g fat, 8g protein, 32g carbs, 340mg sodium, 84mg calcium, 6g fiber; Diabetic Exchanges: 1 1/2 Starch, 1 Meat, 1 Vegetable; Carb Choices: 2.

Visit Healthy Exchanges at www.healthyexchanges.com, or call toll-free at 1-800-766-8961 for more information about our “common folk” healthy recipes.

Enjoy a slice for dessert or to start your day off right — it also makes a great snack. For a whole-grain variation, substitute 1/2 cup whole-wheat flour for 1/2 cup of the all-purpose flour.

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup (about 3 small) bananas, mashed, very ripe 1/3 cup fruit-based fat replacement or unsweetened applesauce 2 large egg whites 1 large egg 1/4 cup pecans, chopped 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray 9by-5-inch metal loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

3. In medium bowl, with fork, mix mashed bananas, fruit-based fat replacement, egg whites and egg.

4. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture just until moistened. Spoon batter into loaf pan, sprinkle with chopped pecans.

5. Bake 40 to 45 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs attached. Cool loaf in pan on wire rack 10 minutes. Remove loaf from pan, cool completely on wire rack.

6. Each slice: About 110 calories, 3g protein, 22g carbohydrate, 2g total fat (0g saturated), 13mg cholesterol, 140mg sodium.

NOTE: Fruit-based fat replacements are sold in the baking section of some supermarkets and healthfood stores.

• Each serving: About 200 calories, 3g protein, 22g carb., 2g total fat (0g saturated), 0g fiber, 13mg cholesterol, 140mg sodium,.

1. ANATOMY: What are succedaneous teeth also known as?

2. LITERATURE: Who wrote the thriller novel “The Day of the Jackal”?

3. MUSIC: The autobiography “Lady Sings the Blues” was the story of what singer?

4. SCIENCE: What is a cnidocyst?

5. GEOGRAPHY: Where does the Gulf of Oman lie?

6. BUSINESS: What is an oligopoly?

7. LEGAL: What does it mean when a case is heard “en banc”?

8. PSYCHOLOGY: What is coprolalia?

9. LANGUAGE: What is a “Catch22”?

10. NATURAL WORLD: What kind of bird is a bobwhite?

Answers 1. Permanent teeth 2. Frederick Forsyth 3. Billie Holiday 4. A venomous cell used by jellyfish and other marine creatures.

5. Between Oman and Iran 6. An industry dominated by a few sellers 7. A hearing by all judges of a court 8. A disorder characterized by uncontrollable swearing 9. A illogical or absurd predicament 10. A quail

1. Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki recorded 1,414 hits in his first 1,000 majorleague games, the second-highest total by a player in 1,000 games since 1900. Who has the highest total?

2. Name the only current skipper to have played 2,000 or more majorleague games and managed 2,000 or more major-league games.

3. Who has the most regular-season victories as an NFL coach: Chuck Noll, Bill Parcells, Dan Reeves or Marty Schottenheimer?

4. Which team has the best men’s basketball Final Four winning percentage (minimum three games played)?

5. In 2007, Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby became the youngest team captain in NHL history (19 years, 297 days). Who had held the mark?

6. How many times has the same team won the Rolex 24 race at Daytona International Speedway three consecutive years?

7. Of the 16 Grand Slam tennis events between 2004-07, how many men’s singles titles did Roger Federer win?

Answers 1. Hall of Fame member Al Simmons had 1,433 hits in his first 1,000 games.

2. Joe Torre played in 2,209 majorleague games and had managed in 3,843 regular-season major-league games entering 2008.

3. Schottenheimer (200 victories in 21 seasons), followed by Noll (193 in 23), Reeves (190 in 23) and Parcells (172 in 19).

4. The University of Connecticut is 4-0 in Final Four games.

5. Vincent Lecavalier got the captain’s job for the Tampa Bay Lightning when he was 19 years, 324 days old in March 2000.

6. Chip Ganassi Racing has won the event three consecutive years (200608).

7. Eleven titles.

April 2022

The Community News Flash

15

OUTDOOR LIVING

OUTDOORS

Earth5 Must-Have Items for Your Spring Camping Trip Friendly

Gear for Outdoor Enthusiasts

(c) anatoliy_gleb / iStock via Getty Images Plus

(StatePoint) The spring camping season is here and it’s time to get ready. These five must-have items are not only compact, they’ll ensure you have fun and make the most of your trip: 1. Rest and relaxation: After a day of vigorous activity, you deserve to put your feet up. And there is no better way to relax than with a hammock. Hammocks that come with their own stand offer super easy set-up, instantaneously turning your campgrounds into a home away from home.

2. Tech support: Whether your day-time excursions include fishing, hiking or rappelling, wearable tech can support your adventures. The ProTrek PRT-B50 Series of watches feature a compass, an altitude/barometer and temperature measurements so you can stay oriented and safe. For those tracking their fitness goals, calories burned and step count offer valuable metrics that are recorded by the ProTrek Connected app. The app also offers a lineup of useful tools for the outdoors, including a Trekking Log that plots altitude points along the trail, and a Location Indicator, to help you track your route from pinned locations.

3. Delicious snacks: For a delicious evening snack, don’t forget supplies for

S’mores. To simplify your packing, get a kit that comes with all the ingredients and tools you need for gooey goodness, including roasting sticks. All you need to provide is the campfire.

4. Music makers: Speaking of campfires, the best nights under the stars are those accompanied by music. To shake things up a bit, bring along a portable keyboard, like the Casiotone CT-S200. This ultra-compact model is powered by six AA batteries and features a built-in carrying handle and speakers, so you make music wherever and whenever you want.

Weighing less than 8 pounds and small enough to fit into a slightly oversized backpack, it’s the perfect instrument for on-the-go adventures.

5. Streamlined entry: National Park Pass: Frequent campers should not leave home without a National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. Covering entrance, standard amenity fees and day use fees for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle, it’s a cost-effective way to enjoy over 2,000 national parks and wildlife refuges nationwide.

As you ease into the camping season, gear up with supplies that make every adventure amazing.

(StatePoint) Are you an outdoor enthusiast?

Read labels carefully while you shop for gear.

While they’ve been around for decades, more consumers are becoming aware of a toxic class of chemicals called perfluorinated chemicals, often referred to as PFAS or PFCs. Because PFCs are good at resisting oil, stains, grease and water, they’ve become a go-to treatment for many manufacturers. In fact, PFCs are so widely used, they’re found on everything from shoes and jackets to couches and food wrappers -- including the many items designed for nature lovers!

The issue is that these chemicals find ways to enter the environment, the food chain and our water supply, which is bad for wildlife, the planet and human health. Because PFCs have a very hard time breaking down, they’re infamously known as “forever chemicals.”

Thanks to a heightened understanding of the health issues associated with PFCs, there has been a growing sense of urgency around removing them from consumer products. With a little care, you can shop with brands that have taken earth-friendly steps, and in some cases, bounds, to try to avoid these so-called “forever chemicals.” Need some inspiration? The following gift guide includes some of the best outdoor gear designed to stand up to adventures of all kinds, and it’s all eco-friendly to boot!

Cozy Footwear Give the gift of indoor comfort outdoors with the warm, cozy Howser collection from KEEN Footwear. A hygge-worthy, “sleeping bag for feet,” their fuzzy lining and PU cushioned insoles mean they’re as cozy as house slippers, and their grippy, sturdy rubber outsoles make them a solid choice for outdoor use.

The collection includes slip-ons, ankle boots and high top choices for women, men and kids -- all of which are a natural fit for chilly evenings by the fire or rolling out of the tent in the morning to get the coffee brewing.

Not only is the entire collection PFC-free, options that contain leather are sourced from Leather Working Group-certified tanneries, which use processes to reduce chemical use and

their impact on watersheds, creating an environmentally preferred leather.

“Eliminating PFCs from footwear is easier said than done,” says Erik Burbank, vice president of KEEN Effect, a team that guides the brand’s responsible manufacturing efforts.

“We’ve spent years working to eliminate PFCs from our products and supply chain with safe alternatives while delivering the performance people expect from KEEN. In that time, we estimate we’ve saved over 50,000 KGs of fluorinated chemicals from being introduced into the environment. As part of our Detox the Planet initiative, we continue to push for ways to put the environment first.”

To learn more, visit keenfootwear.com.

Layer Up Trekkers and campers know that weather is unpredictable and that makes layering essential.

Now, they can do so with both performance and sustainability in mind. All of Houdini’s sportwear apparel is PFC-free. Plus, many of its garments are made from recycled materials, and are either recyclable or completely biodegradable. Stay warm and prepared for anything by checking out the Swedish brand’s base layers, mid layers, outerwear and accessories.

Pack Smart From snowshoe backpacks to hiking backpacks to packs designed specifically for trail runners, the full line-up of outdoor gear offered

by Deuter is highly functional and contains no PFCs. Instead, the brand relies on Durable Water Repellent treatments that are not harmful to people or the planet.

The best outdoor gear protects the nature it celebrates. Embrace a “leave no trace” mind as you gear up for your next adventure.

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The Community News Flash

April 2022