CNF December 2016

PITTMAN pg 7

CRAYTON pg 9

Vol 16, No. 7 • December 2016

Corinth High graduate builds on her skills to open Florida business

News You Can Use

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"County Cool from Kossuth"

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Former Aggie making a name in the Music City

By Galen Holley Community News Flash

Angela Agnew Brazell

By Lucy Weber Angela Agnew Brazell is living, and working, her dream.

The 1983 Corinth High School graduate is the founder and CEO of All About Black Business, LLC in Port St. Lucie, Florida, providing full service advertising and social media expertise and services to help businesses grow.

"I'm doing what I wanted to do. I wanted to be a writer

and be in sales," she said. "But Florida was the farthest thing from my mind. I expected to be in New York or California."

Instead, the cum laude graduate of Rust College took her mass communications skills to the Treasure Coast of Florida, first as a news reporter and then as a radio sales executive.

She never looked back. In her growing career, where she developed the skills and busisee BRAZELL pg 4

Return Address: P.O. Box 1292 Corinth, MS 38835

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NASHVILLE - Thomas Jefferson once said that he was a great believer in luck, and found that the harder he worked, the more he had of it, and those are the words that another TJ, Tim "TJ" Gray, lives by. Gray came from humble beginnings in Kossuth to become the president of Grayscale Entertainment and CEO of its sister company, Grayscale Entertainment Marketing. The two Nashvillebased businesses serve the needs of musicians in nearly all aspects of their careers. Through savvy, raw intelligence and good, oldfashioned, bone-grinding hard work, Gray, 36, has positioned himself as one of the Music City's top, emerging, business leaders, as see GRAY pg 4

Tim "TJ" Gray

Dan Copeland: The Triple Threat You Need to Know

By Jessica A. Burnett Special to the Community News Flash What happens when business, film, and politics combine? The culmination of those activities evolves into to emergence of Dan Copeland, founder of Copeland 22 Films and owner of DC Political Consulting Group. A native of Booneville, Mississippi, Dan has established himself as a film broker, political liaison, and business development specialist. He obtained his B.A. from Morris Brown College, after studying speech communication at the University of Arizona and business at North Iowa Community College. While in college, he joined Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and also speaks fluent Spanish.

Dan Copeland

In the entertainment industry, Mr. Copeland purchases scripts from writers and sells them to movie studios. By providing the connections for writers to see their work manifest in film projects, Dan’s work is turning the visions of writers into reality, strengthening both his business and their career possibilities. Dan has worked diligently to gain an extensive database of contacts in the film industry, including Tyler Perry’s Studio, Disney, and Universal. He has also worked with HULU, Paramount Films, and Telemundo, along with nearly every other major TV network and film distribution company. His extensive list of connections has made his company highly sought by writers.

Additionally, the high quality of scripts see COPELAND pg 4

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December 2016

The Community News Flash

Editor’s Corner Pruning Is An Exercise In Humility

Jerry W. Porter CEO/Publisher

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

A few weeks ago, I hired a man to do some work and during one of his breaks he and I were talking, as guys do, about the old days, the way things were when we were boys. Of course, things were very different then, we said. One of the big differences was that there were plenty of wise, older folks around to correct us when we messed up. It seemed like nagging at the time, we said, like we had 100 sets of parents, but looking back it was impossible to put a price on the value that correction held for us. The man and I noted a tree that I had recently trimmed. Cutting back and pruning the branches not only cleaned up the looks of the yard but ultimately strengthened the tree by keeping the branches from getting overextended and weak.

If you've ever been a gardener or taken care of your

own bushes and trees, you know that regular pruning or cutting and trimming helps growth. After pruning, a new explosion of growth occurs in the plant. If the plant is a fruit tree, the fruit will be larger than the year before and taste better. Clearly, in the plant world, pruning is beneficial I don't yet consider myself an elder of the tribe but I've lived a few years and learned a thing or two. For example, I've lived long enough to discover that I frequently cannot trust my own best thinking. All of us have the tendency to think we have things figured out, that we know the score, that we've "been there and done that," as the saying goes.

That's dangerous thinking.

It's the kind of complacency that leads to serious error.

Consider Jesus's words in the fifteenth chapter of John's gospel, known as the discourse on the vine and branches. Jesus speaks of the importance of remaining rooted in him as the source of truth but he also speaks of the necessity of pruning. "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener," Jesus says. "He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." Jesus often used agrarian metaphors, like wheat, or olive trees, or even sheep and goats to convey deeper truths but perhaps none is more consistently applicable than the image of

pruning. God's correction, his guidance, his admonition, will cause the believer to become holier, Jesus says.

On the other hand, errant ideas or false notions, an overly inflated sense of one's righteousness, Jesus likens to withered branches that are thrown into the fire and burned.

Those familiar with the Twelve Steps know that much of the wisdom of the system is rooted in constant self-evaluation and a critical inward gaze. For Twelvesteppers, comfort and confidence are problematic because they lead to complacency. The keys to psychological and spiritual health are consistent and perpetual correction, along with a commitment to humility and submission to the guidance of a higher power.

A complacent person is much like an overextended branch. If he allows himself to grow for too long without correction, without being pruned, he weakens himself and the storms of life will easily break him down. It doesn't matter if the man thinks he's right. It's often impossible to see our own faults.

Frequently making ourselves submissive and accountable to judgements other than our own, such as those of trusted friends,

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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church members or fellow Twelve-steppers improves our ability to see ourselves as others see us, to recognize our own shortcomings.

Humility plays a key role in this insight. We must be humble enough to submit ourselves to the correction of another. We must recall Proverbs 16: 18, which tells us that, "Pride goeth before destruction."

All people, children and adults, need pruning.

Scripture attests to this numerous times, as in 1 Cor. 5: 11, Rom. 13: 4 and perhaps most explicitly in Matt. 18: 15-17, where Jesus says, "If your brothers or sisters sin, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over, but if they will not listen, then take two more witnesses."

If that doesn't work, Jesus says, take the matter before even more

witnesses. The implication is that a convergence of opinion, a communal correction, is a healthy thing. Left on our own, we do not always know what is best for us.

Gentle, corrective, loving pruning is one of the most valuable gifts we can give our children this Christmas, not allowing them to develop inaccurate or misguided notions about the world and thus become overextended and spiritually weak. Some Christian traditions speak of a cloud of witnesses, or saints and other holy men

and women, both living and deceased, who testify to the strength found in communal accountability and mutual correction. Other people of faith speak of a symphony or chorus of voices that bespeak collective wisdom. Wherever we find our higher power, whether it be the coordinated voices of our fellow humans or in a divine being, we must be humble enough to take seriously the voice of correction. We must gladly submit ourselves to pruning.

Whoo! Whoo! Until Next Time! All Aboard!

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Monthly Meditation

Notable Quote

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children not true sons. Hebrews 12:7-8

"I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction.

The world will have a generation of idiots." -- Albert Einstein

December 2016

Best Wishes for a Happy Holiday Season and our sincere thanks for your support and goodwill throughout 2016.

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The Community News Flash

DECEMBER BIBLE TRIVIA 1. According to Deuteronomy, where did God's voice come from?

2. Who told Saul that obeying God's voice was more important than sacrificing animals?

3. Which Gospel mentions the voice of Rachel weeping for her children?

4. Who heard the voice of an angel ordering that a large tree be chopped down?

5. What book says that the divine voice sounds like a waterfall?

6. Who said, "Is that your voice, David my son"?

7. To which church did Jesus say, "If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him"?

8. What apostle addressed the Pentecost crowd in a loud voice?

9. Who cried out at the top of her voice when she saw Samuel raised from the dead?

10. At what event did a voice from heaven say, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased"?

11. What boy was sleeping near the ark of the covenant when he heard God's voice calling to him?

12. Where was Jesus when the divine voice said, "This is my beloved Son‌hear ye him?

13. What king heard the voice of God in the temple - although there was no temple at the time?

14. Who heard the voice of those who had been killed for proclaiming God's word?

15. Who heard God's voice after running away from Queen Jezebel?

16. Who screamed in a loud voice, asking Jesus not to punish him?

17. What king was told by Isaiah that the king of Assyria had raised his voice up against God? 18. What was the problem of the 10 men who called to Jesus in loud voices, begging him for mercy?

19. Who heard the "still, small voice" of God? 20. What criminal did the people of Jerusalem cry out for in a loud voice?

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

November Answers 1. A fig tree (Mark 11:12-14) 2. The fig's (Genesis 3:7) 3. The fig's (2 Kings 20:7) 4. The cherubim (I Kings 6:23) 5. Romans (11:17) 6. Ezekiel (27:15) 7. Midian (Exodus 3:2) 8. The third day (Genesis 1:9-13) 9. Almond blossoms (Exodus 25:33) 10. Cedarwood (Song of Soloman 3:9) 11. Proverbs (25:11) 12. Thorns (Matthews 13:7) 13. Bulrushes (Exodus 2:3) 14. Hyssop (John 19;29) 15. A reed (Mark 15:19) 16. Pods (Luke 15:16) 17. Lilies (I Kings 7:19) 18. A bruised reed (Isaiah 42:3) 19. The pomegranate's (Exodus 28:33) 20. Palm leaves (John 12:13)

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GRAY.........from page 1 recognized by Nashville's Mayor, Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Nashville Business Journal. Gray also sits on the board of directors for several nonprofits. "In my experience, few people give you anything in this business, the adversity that comes with chasing your dreams can sometimes make you question if you truly want them, but hard work pays off." said Gray.

Hard Knocks Today, Gray favors the streamlined, businesscasual attire of a young executive, with starched shirts, worn without a tie, and sleek blazers, but picture, if you will, a young man in Kossuth, donning, in his own words, "camouflage and boots." "I learned at a young age how to move in different worlds, to communicate effectively and to speak people's languages," said Gray. Being able to adapt on the fly, to fit in, to meet people where they were in life, proved invaluable skills in the entertainment industry, Gray said. In Kossuth, Gray also learned the small town values of determination and industriousness, values that helped him succeed in the face of what sometimes seemed insurmountable odds. After high school, Gray moved to Nashville and enrolled at Middle Tennessee State University, studying music business. After graduation, Gray took the first of several leaps of faith that would ultimately bring him back to Nashville to start his company. Gray moved across the country twice, living in Seattle and Virginia, working in sales and event promotion. Gray knew that Seattle was a hub for alternative music as well as fertile ground for young people to plant and grow their ideas.

BRAZELL....from page 1 ness savvy to become her own boss, Brazell worked as a senior account executive for iHeart Radio and sales management for Midway Broadcasting.

After working for 25 years as a radio executive, Brazell decided to follow her dream.

"I got a vision to open my own advertising/media company."

AABB, which happens to be her initials, celebrated its third anniversary in October with a gala event.

"I deal with small businesses and am a full service media company," she said. "I hope people who need media services look at our business first."

For local business owners, professionals, and civic and

December 2016

The Community News Flash

"There was certainly a learning curve, but my time there taught me the nuances of entrepreneurship and strengthened my work ethic," said Gray.

"I learned to sacrifice and hustle. I cut back my southern drawl, read everything I could get my hands on, anything I could do to get ahead and have a chance in the music business," he said.

Gray founded a successful ticketing and event promotion service named Concert Gorilla and parlayed that success and experience into further, more involved work in the music biz. In 2010 he decided it was time to return to Music City and keep reaching for the stars. "I packed up my memories, moved back and was willing to do whatever it took," said Gray. "I'd call it trial and failure," he said of his time in Virginia, laughing.

"I lost everything, but I kept working hard and was willing to start over." Gray worked three jobs to keep his dream afloat. He sold insurance. He interned 40 hours a week, with no pay, in the music business, to learn the ropes and make contacts. He worked a photo booth and various and sundry other Mcjobs, usually sleeping less than four hours a night. "Over that first year I learned to become hyper focused," said Gray. "I was able to pay off all personal and business debt and channeled every cent and ounce of energy into building my dream." Gray eventually whittled his burdensome workload down into one job as a booking agent, calling around the country and convincing bars and other venues to host artists.

He booked bands such as Exile, Atlanta Rythem Section, Shooter Jennings, and Juice Newton for three years before striking out on his own.

Full Service Gray describes his work as president of

community organizations on the Treasure Coast, Brazell's company does all it can to get customers talking about their products and services. AABB offers social media marketing, website designing, media placement, public relations, business planning and creative concepts. AABB offers free monthly Monday Momentum Mixer Networking events to connect business leaders.

Brazell says her company's goal is to form the first Minority Chamber of Commerce in the Treasure Coast.

Brazell is married to Leonard Brazell. She is the mother of Brittni, 24, and Brandon, 8. The daughter of Jerry and Annie Agnew said she comes home to Corinth at least twice a year to visit.

Grayscale Entertainment like "playing quarterback" for a band's career. "We handle branding and marketing as well as developing strategic partnerships with bands and brands," said Gray.

"We coach the bands and handle virtually all aspects of the grand, overarching vision, including tours, albums, digital marketing, creation, team building, hiring, social media presence and other aspects and ventures." Grayscale Entertainment Marketing, the offshoot of the parent company, develops a broad, comprehensive marketing experience for entertainers and events, Gray said, aligning them with products and helping to promote their images. "It's a full service, lifestyle experiential marketing company," Gray added. "We're focused on connecting brands, fans, events, and bands."

Gray's company has handled branding and promotion for the largest cruise music festivals on the planet working with big name artists, including KISS, Florida Georgia Line, Train, Blues Traveler, Jason Derulo, Sam Hunt, Paramore, Skrillex, 311, as well as a cruise for devotees of "Hick-Hop" "straight out the trailer" rocker Kid Rock. Former Saving Abel front man and multi-platinum selling artist Jared Weeks is one of the better-known artists that Grayscale proudly includes in its family of talent, along with up-and-coming singer and songwriter Renn.

"He's a talented lyricist and songwriter, with more than two million hits on Spotify in the last four months, and we're building a team around him now," said Gray.

Paying Forward Ever a product of his small town values, Gray places a high premium on giving back and lend-

ing a hand up to those, as he once did, struggling to break into the music business. He is a board member for five nonprofits, two of which he cofounded. Gray chairs the University Outreach Committee in the Society of Leadership In Development, or SOLID, is Secretary of the Alumni Advisory Council, or AAC, which functions in coordination with his alma mater, Middle Tennessee State University, to bolster youngsters in their burgeoning careers in the music industry.

Gray also serves as the chief financial officer of the Musicpreneur Storehouse, which offers interest-free loans to artists and music industry entrepreneurs. The Musicspreneur team evaluates candidates' business plans and visions and, through mentorship, networking and continuing education, coaches them along until they're established strongly enough to repay the loan and, in turn, provide guidance and a hand up to others.

Despite the somewhat cliché image some people have of the ragamuffin, troubadour poet, scuffling by with only his art to fill his stomach, the music business isn't for the faint of heart, especially on the business side, Gray said. "It's a sharktank, challenging and intimidating at times, and the entrepreneurial struggles can fill you doubt and create insecurities, but making your own way in a music town like Nashville and earning success can take you to the precipice of pride, joy and excitement. There is nothing like it" Gray said. "It's addicting to help someones dreams become reality. To see hard work pay off and to be blessed enough to become part of something larger than yourself, something that everybody loves and shares…music. I'm very lucky."

COPELAND....from page 1 he manages attracts film companies. Dan has overseen successful fundraising for film projects and worked as a movie tax broker.

Dan’s political work centers on lobbying for important community driven issues. In addition to his lobbying work within the state legislature he regularly engages with Georgia Congressmen, and worked on Barack Obama’s “Campaign for Change” in 2008. He lobbied successfully against HB 757 and continues to advocate for environmental issues. He is a member of the Black Latino Council, Legislative Affairs Network, and Black Entertainment Network. Once praised as the, “Top African-American lobbyist in Georgia,” Dan holds an extensive knowledge of local, state, and federal government knowledge and experience. He remains passionate about civil rights and social activism, having worked alongside influential city councilman to push the Women and Minority Business Legislation for the new Vine City/Falcons Stadium

Photo of Dan Copeland at the Georgia Capitol

development. He currently serves as Fundraising Director for SCLC in the area of Corporate Investment.

In the arena of business, Dan works as a consultant and power broker.

With his experience creating two suc-

cessful companies, Copeland 22 Films Company and D.C. Political Consulting Group, he knows what it takes for businesses to succeed. Experience in these arenas has given him the skills to become a dynamic business consultant, helping clients achieve their entrepreneurial endeavors through focused and goal driven plans.

Beyond business work, Dan is dedicated to maintaining his fitness as a regular participant in the annual AJC Peachtree Roadrace.

He has coached basketball and flag football at Eastlake YMCA for over 8 years. He values spending time with his family, including his 16 year old son, Danny Stephen Copeland, a stellar student and athlete at Woodward Academy. Dan is an avid golf player and enjoys golfing with his son. As a man of faith, Dan displays an unwavering dedication to consistent church involvement.

He often volunteers at Oakland City farm, while helping promote grassroots organizing and advocacy. In his spare time, Dan enjoys listening to jazz music and attending jazz music festivals.

December 2016

File of Life Can Save Lives Have you heard of the File of Life? I hadn’t, until a reader pointed it out to me. The File of Life can literally be a lifesaver in a medical emergency.

A File of Life is a card that contains your medical and contact information in case of an emergency where you can’t speak for yourself. The card comes with a red plastic pocket that attaches by magnet to the refrigerator door and lists your name, emergency contact information, any allergies, current medications and dosages, any general health problems and your insurance information.

If something happens and emergency help is required, valuable time can be lost while your hospital records are located or your contact person is found. Worse, you could inadvertently be given the wrong treatment — for example, a drug that you’re allergic to or an overdose of something you’re already taking — by those who are trying to save your life.

All across the country, towns and counties are handing out File of Life information and instructing emergency medical responders to look for it at your refrigerator door before they begin treating you. Some areas also use a front-door sticker to alert emergency personnel that you have a File of Life card.

Does your community use the File of Life? Check its Web site (www.folife.org) for more information. Besides the refrigerator file, there’s a miniature one for your wallet. Ask about the File of Life at the local senior center, or even call the Fire Department non-emergency number to ask.

If they’re not aware of this valuable source for emergency information, give them the phone number for File of Life: 1-800-814-1788. Many communities buy them and give the cards to seniors free of charge.

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

Vaccine for Cervical Cancer Prevention DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Why isn’t the cervical cancer vaccine given to women in their 30s and 40s?

Also, please discuss Pap smears and the new and better Pap smear. Why is it better? — Anon.

ANSWER: Gardasil, the new vaccine for prevention of papillomavirus infection — the cause of cervical cancer — is not as likely to be effective in preventing cervical cancer in women already infected with the papillomavirus. It works best before exposure to the virus. Therefore, the principal target is younger women, between the ages of 9 and 26, with girls of 11 and 12 being the ones chosen to be the concentrated focus of immunization.

More studies are needed to ascertain the vaccine’s effectiveness in older women and in men.

Doctor George Papanicolaou deserves the credit for saving the lives of an uncountable number of women through his work in devising the Pap smear for detection of cervical cancer.

The standard Pap smear is still an excellent way to detect what was once a very common cancer. All women who have been sexually active for three years or who have turned 21 — whichever comes first — are strongly urged to begin having Pap smears.

The “new” Pap smear is a new technique in processing cells taken from the cervix. (The cervix is the necklike projection of the uterus; it juts into the vagina.) The technique is called liquid-based cytology, “cytology” being the microscopic study of cells. The

sample cervical cells are suspended in liquid and then spun in a centrifuge.

The cells collect at the bottom of the centrifuge tube and are more plentiful than cells put directly on a slide after obtaining them from the cervix. The sensitivity of this test — its ability to detect abnormal cervical cells — is increased over the standard test. That’s not to say that the standard test is not good or reliable.

The booklet on cervical cancer and Pap smears provides details on both subjects. Readers can obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue — No. 1102W, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 328536475. 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: My mom, 86, is fine in most respects, but she makes too much saliva. It drips out of her mouth when she eats.

She’s a very fastidious woman, and this bothers her to no end. She has to use a napkin after every bite. Is there a medicine that can turn off the flow? — C.N. ANSWER: First, find out if your mother is making too much saliva or if she’s having a swallowing problem.

Swallowing problems require a different solution.

Medicines can dry the mouth. They often have such unpleasant side effects that people don’t like to use them. The scopolamine skin patch can dry the mouth. It’s a prescription medicine, and the doctor has to judge whether it’s safe for her.

In extreme cases of too much saliva, an ear, nose and throat doctor can tie off some or many of the ducts that lead from the salivary glands to the mouth. *** 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. © 2007 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved

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The Community News Flash

BACK TO BASICS FITNESS

Ho Ho, Nooooooo!

It’s that time of year again, the Holidays are among us. Which means office parties, goodies by the pound, and don’t forget the countless dinner drive-bys.

You know, dinner at grandmas, complete with, not one, but two pieces of sweet potato pie. Then it’s on to mamas for her homemade macaroni and cheese and chicken and dressing. There are countless family favorites waiting to be devoured. Eaters ready on the left, eaters ready on the right! And the race begins. Who will finish first and dive fork first into their Arlene favorite dessert?

How does one navigate through the landmines of cakes, pies, and savory favorites?

The suggestion is to pace you; and with this suggestion a little note. The cows have it!

Let us take a lesson from our bovine friends. This simply means several small meals throughout the day as opposed to 2-3 large ones. Let’s enjoy everything in moderation. Hey, what about grandmas’ sweet potato pie? Sure, have a slice. Then make an effort to decrease portion sizes of the other goodies on your plate. When constructing your plate, think protein, veggie, and complex carb. (Lean, green, not processed by machine) The Holidays jump-start with Halloween.

There are sweets and treats of innumerable variety, so the temptation is ever-present for 9 weeks on average. Therefore, it’s a great idea to take a proactive approach if one is to stay on track with the new changes to your healthier lifestyle. What do I mean by proactive? In order for anyone to become a pro at any given thing, one must practice.

You may actively plan daily goals and activities until they become a part of you.

The same holds true for living a healthy lifestyle.

Now if your grandmother is like mine, she’ll pile your plate high and insist you eat every bite, right? Right! As not to upset grandma, eat a sensible amount from your plate and take the uneaten portion home.

You can likely freeze it and eat it at a later date or brown-bag it for the following days’

lunch. Don’t forget to get your workout in that day to burn off those extra calories. Hit the gym or walk it off. Walking is a great way to remain active and carve off some of those extra calories.

Too exhausted to go to the gym? No worries pick a spot in front of the sofa and get your workout on!

Here are a couple of my favorite moves to get my heart rate up and burn off some of those ‘cookie’ calories.

Move number one: Jumping jacks; yep, ole tried and true.

Almost anyone can do them and if you have Dent knee or hip issues, opt for the modified version. Move number two: Squats, squats and more squats!

Weighted; add weights to your standard squat. Wall squat; just like it sounds, back against the wall, squat till knees and hips are parallel, hold position for 30 seconds, working your way up to 1 minute. Get ready to feel those quads burn! Jump-squats are a standard squat that has a hop on the end of it. Talk about a heart-rate raiser!

Ohh rah! Try 3 sets of 12 reps of the jump squats, 1 minute on the jumping jacks, and 1 minute for the wall squats. If you find you need a break in between sets, take a few seconds break and then finish strong.

We can never know how far we can go if we stop when it feels uncomfortable.

Discomfort is expected. Pain is possible, but there is progress on the other side of ‘through‘. Getting through the disappointments, going through the pain and making it through adversity makes one stronger. If one never endures a thing, how does one know it’s possible to achieve, to conquer or to accomplish a ventured thing?

The Holidays are a challenge for each of us. They come with joys and sadness, whimsy and woes. All of which is centered on family, friends and food…and with a proactive approach we can celebrate the Holidays to the fullest, without stuffing our bodies to their fullest. A salute to new challenges, great accomplishments and a healthier you!

You’ve got this, by the way!

December 2016

December 2016

The Community News Flash

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PREACHER FEATURE

Pittman teaches in the church and the classroom

Rev. Avence Pittman

By Lucy Weber A teacher and a preacher, the Rev. Avence Pittman leads Saint Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Guys, Tenn., with a passion for education.

"We are always looking for ways to have an impact and serve others," he said about the church he has been serving for two and a half years. "We look for ways to help others."

Through the ministry at Saint Rest, Pittman strives to lead his congregation in following the Great Commission, Jesus' instruction to spread His teaching to all nations. The congregation, under Pittman's leadership, contributes to outside agencies like St Jude Children's Research Hospital and works within the community. Recently, the church hosted a local health fair.

Education is important to Pittman, both Christian education in the church and classroom learning in the school system. Pittman sees a parallel in his two careers, allowing him to have an impact from the pulpit and in the schools.

"I really enjoy what I do," he said. "People want to be loved and cared for. I try my best to exhibit those same characteristics, both in church and at school."

Pittman serves as the principal of Pontotoc Elementary School after serving previously as assistant principal of Pontotoc High School. He has been a classroom teacher

Adult Training Classes Through the cooperation of the Career and Technical Education Department, the Alcorn Career and Technology Center is organizing adult evening classes for the Spring 2016 semester. These classes are being conducted to provide training for persons so they may become gainfully employed and to retrain and upgrade those already employed. Provided sufficient interest is shown, the follow non-credit courses will be offered: Microsoft Office Applications (CEU) Introduction to Sewing Basic Welding Combination Welding Basic Photography Lawn/Garden Equipment Repair Photo Shop Medical Terminology Introduction to Computers (CEU) Basic Machine Shop Exploring Industrial Maintenance and ATV Repair Basic Carpentry and Woodworking Please visit the Alcorn Career and Technology Center's Website at http://actc.alcorn.k12.ms.us/ for class costs and start dates or call (662) 286-7727.

and a math specialist. He graduated from Rust College with a bachelor's in elementary education. He holds a master's degree in educational leadership from the University of Mississippi and is now working on his Ph.D. there with a focus in that same field.

"The ministry came first and teaching came later," he said.

Pittman grew up in a family that loved the Lord and served the church. He surrendered to the call to become a preacher at age 16. "It's truly a calling. I want to serve and lead others unto Him." As a pastor, Pittman's first church to lead was St. Paul Missionary Baptist in Macon where he served for four years. Nine years of service leading the congregation at Watson Grove Missionary Baptist in New Albany followed. During his service there, Watson Grove hosted conventions on the district and state levels, and Pittman had the opportunity to preach in the State Congress and State Convention, lecture on the district level and teach in the State Congress.

He is a member of the Northeast Mississippi State Congress of Christian Education and the Northeast Mississippi State Convention.

Pittman and his wife Vonda are the parents of two daughters Alexandrea and Alexis. The family lives in Tupelo.

8

December 2016

The Community News Flash

From one generation to next, Pollards realize the importance of family ties

By Lucy Weber Holidays usually mean relatives get together to visit, but Ann Jean Pollard and her daughter Carla don't wait for Thanksgiving or Christmas to share family time.

These two dedicated family historians are always ready to talk kinfolk.

"Family is important. Families should always keep up with each other," said Ann Jean. "Family should be there whenever nobody else is."

Ann Jean grew up listening to her great-grandmother, her grandmother and mother share their wisdom and family stories.

Carla grew up going to family reunions. A family tree at one of those about 25 years ago sparked her interest in learning who her relatives were.

"From that point, I was hooked," Carla said. "I got interested in finding out how connected everyone was, especially in Corinth since it's a small town. On my mother's side, it seems we're basically related to everybody in Alcorn and Prentiss counties."

About seven years ago, Carla, who lives in Jackson, Tenn., started using ancestry.com, and it's proven to be a valuable asset in her genealogical searches. She shares her information with her mother.

"It was fascinating to see what she dug up," Ann Jean said.

Through their online research and through oral family history, Ann Jean said she's traced different families "to find out how

Annie Jean Pollard and Daughter, Carla Pollard

we're all hooked up together. I ran into a lady I had known for years, and we got to talking and then realized we're related."

Ann Jean can trace her family lines through those named Mayes (in all its different spellings), Gardener, Turner, Harris and Baker, to name a few. "There's too many to count."

With families, there's always more to learn, Carla said.

On her mother's side, Carla discovered a family fact that her

Christmas is the happiness that lights our children’s eyes.

Christmas is a song of bells ringing through the skies.

Christmas is a time of peace, of contentment deep within, A time of love and silent hope that years will never dim.

– Sherrill Thompson (“Christmas Is...”)

Wishing you and your loved ones every happiness this holiday season.

Many thanks for all the joy you’ve given us this past year.

mother didn't know by going all the way back to 1844. There are a lot of men named George on the family tree. It seems the first sons of each generations was given the name George.

With a tip from Carla, Ann Jean, who had walked through the Corinth National Cemetery many times before, found the headstone of an older relative, unknown to her before that recent visit. "It was the most amazing thing," she said.

Anyone who wants to start tracing their family history should begin like her mother, Carla said. "She always sat around with the older folks when she was growing up. She listened well."

"I talked to my grandparents, my great-grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins about where we all came from," Ann Jean said.

"Get as much family history as you can from the family elders," Carla said. "Record it or write it down. Ancestry.com is a great resource that I use a lot."

With that online program, Carla said she enters the information and can easily follow back in time. "There's always more to learn."

Know who your family is remains important, but the lessons they handed down are even more precious, Ann Jean said.

"I'd go into the garden with my great-grandmother and talk about planting seeds," she said. "She'd say, 'Plant a seed but make sure it's a good seed.' I didn't understand that parable until I was older. She was teaching me to always try to do good things and people can remember you for that. She instilled in me how to be a good person."

We Want You! Fatherhood Initiative Program Would you like to become a better father?

We are looking for fathers who would be interested in becoming “Team Parents” by dedicating a minimum number of hours with their children in order to become more involved in their lives. We will attempt to make a positive influence in the life of a father.

Certified Fatherhood/Male Involement Trainer Since 2001 To set up Workshops/Seminars Call or Email Jerry Porter at: 662-643-6842 read.newflash@gmail.com

December 2016

The Community News Flash

9

Have Heart, Will Travel Falon Crayton provides compassionate care as a travel nurse

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By Galen Holley CORINTH - Caring for people has always been close to Falon Crayton's heart, but being tied down to one facility wasn't quite her style. That led her to find her niche in life as a travel nurse.

"I'm a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants-type person, and I enjoy the freedom of my work," said Crayton, a wife and mother of three daughters who, for a little more than a year, has been traveling the highways of northern Mississippi and southern Tennessee as a travel nurse. Crayton is currently under contract to serve at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, Tenn., a 57mile drive, one-way, from her home in Corinth. Crayton receives her assignments through Sunbelt Staffing LLC., in Tampa, Fla., but she's able to work relatively close to home and that's the way she prefers it. "Being a wife and mother is very important to me and so much of what I do is to provide a better quality of life for my kids, so being present to them as much as I can, is a priority," said Crayton.

Privileged Position Crayton is a graduate of Corinth High School as well as of the nursing program at Northeast Mississippi Community College.

Before becoming a nurse, she worked for six years with the elderly as a certified nursing assistant. "Watching the nurses I was very impressed with their compassion and level of professionalism and I thought to myself, 'I can do this,'" said Crayton. "The respect you earn as a nurse, the care that you're able to provide and the lives you're privileged to touch make it a special profession."

Crayton was a single mother during her time as a CNA and was searching for ways to make life better for her kids. "I found myself in the position of having to say 'no' more than I would have liked," said Crayton. "I wasn't able to spoil my kids the way I wanted to, and I knew that I needed to make a change in life."

Crayton worked hard and earned her degree as a registered nurse.

Today she is certified to serve as a nurse in the surgical intensive care unit as well as in the cardiovascular, neuro and critical care ICUs. Crayton also works in the cardiac step-down unit as needed.

Contracts for travel nurses typically vary from eight to 13 weeks. Crayton's usual schedule has her working for three days and then off for four. The rhythm of the work suits her, but there are some disadvantages, Crayton said. The amount that travel nurses pay for benefits and retirement is steeper than for a nurse work-

ing full-time at one facility, Crayton said. She has to be careful about how she budgets too, since she's primarily in charge of how her contributions are allotted. On the other hand, Crayton is given a tax-free per diem to apply toward food and incidentals, as well as housing, if she chooses to spend the night near her assignment.

"We have to be smart, but it works out," said Crayton. "My husband carries the insurance for the family and we're exploring options for investing for our retirement. One of the great things is that nobody can tell me when I have to retire. The freedom of the job offsets many of the challenges. I just couldn't see siting in one place for 25 years, waiting for retirement." Crayton is required to take off 30-45 days each year to have a regular, fulltime schedule.

Luckily she's on the verge of meeting her requirements for days worked and days off this year, and starting in early December, Crayton will be off through the new year. "One of the great perks will be spending the holidays at home with my family," Crayton said.

Morning shift change for nurses is when Crayton typically starts her day. "I get the reports from the nurses going off duty, including any concerns or other notes of importance," she said. By this point, Crayton's already psyched herself up, through prayer and concentration, to be her best when she hits the floor or unit.

"It's vitally important that the nurses be comfortable handing these patients off to me, and that I'm ready to provide the best health care experience possible for those who will be under my care," said Crayton. She makes a head-to-toe assessment of each patient, including checking intravenous and arterial lines, as well as catheters, then Crayton checks the computer to inquire about medications and lab work that might be scheduled. "I like to compile a personal to-do list, for my own use," she said. "That includes tasks I need to complete throughout the day, like making sure patients arrive to any scheduled procedures in the hospital, etc." Teamwork is critical in her work, Crayton said, and she's continually inspired by the professionalism and willingness of her colleagues to be their best. "I take a great deal of pride in my work and that's rooted in the importance of it, because it's literally life and death," said Crayton.

Heartfelt Calling It takes a clear head, a friendly disposition and a lot of concentration to be a good nurse, according to Crayton. Technical, clinical knowledge is the basis, but nursing requires something else, something Crayton described as more akin to wisdom, an insight into the human condition that one can't learn from a book.

"This job, this calling, is so powerful, in every way," Crayton said.

She admits that, despite her thoroughgoing professionalism, she can't help but become emotionally attached to her patients. "It's just who I am, the way I'm wired," Crayton said. "You know these people before they come to you, from their charts and the notes and other information that's provided to caregivers. Then, these wonderful human beings arrive, and you put a face to a name and suddenly they're very much alive and real to you and you certainly form strong bonds with them."

The story doesn't always end happily, Crayton said, but the privilege of being present to people in their hour of need is what brought her to the profession and what makes all the long miles and time away from family worth it. "Before I became a nurse, I wouldn't have guessed that a person who clocks in and clocks out and is just doing their job could care so much," Crayton said. "I know now that caring for people is what I am called to do and I really, really love my job."

10

December 2016

The Community News Flash

Corinth High grad: Stay safe out there After graduating from JSU, Dilworth returned home to Corinth where he was active in civic organizations while working with Caterpillar for 15 years. A good opportunity for a promotion with Caterpillar led to him moving his family to a suburb of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Dilworth's mother still lives in Corinth and he returns home several times each

By Lucy Weber Trent Dilworth, Corinth High Class of 1978, is all about safety.

Living in Indian Trail, North Carolina, a suburb of Charlotte, Dilworth works as the corporate Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) manager for Conn-Selmer Inc., a manufacturer of musical instruments. He oversees the health and safety systems at the corporate offices,

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warehouses and manufacturing plants in North Carolina, Indiana and Ohio.

"My job is keeping the workers safe, protecting the environment and making sure we are compliant with all state and federal regulations," he said.

Dilworth joined Conn-Selmer's corporate team this year after taking an early retirement after 31 years with Caterpillar Inc., where he rose through the EHS ranks.

Although the company products are different, Dilworth said the goals and principles in his new job remain the same - protecting the employees.

Dilworth received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Jackson State University. At JSU, he played guard on the football team, continuing the sports career he had at Corinth High where he played on both offense and defense.

Dilworth is proud of his work in protecting the health and safety of employees and maintaining environmental standards that guard against hazardous waste and that protect air quality on the job. "You have to rely on science and analytical skills to help keep people safe and to protect the environment.

"People go to work each day and you want to make sure they go home safe while you are protecting our environment," he said. "What I do matters."

year.

"Corinth was a nice place to grow up," he said.

Dilworth has two sons Deshaun, a civilian working with the Air Force in Ohio, and Ryan, a senior sports management major at Wingate University. Both followed his example with college football scholarships. "I'm blessed," he said.

While he doesn't play a musical instrument, Dilworth said he appreciates the product his company creates. "I was a big fan of the JSU band when I was there. The company sells a lot to Jackson State and other Mississippi bands."

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December 2016

The Community News Flash

LIVING

Getting Back to Basics: The Lost Art of Writing Things Down

(StatePoint) In this digital age, you may go days without using a pen and paper, but there are many reasons to skip the devices and stick to writing things down. From staying organized to planning your week to tracking career growth, here are a few things to take note of when it comes to taking notes.

• Taking notes in longhand can help you retain more information, suggests a study from Princeton and UCLA, as taking notes makes you more likely to process the information and reframe it in your own words. Not only that, your notepad is likely to contain fewer distractions than your laptop, tablet or phone.

• Look professional and stay organized at your next interview or meeting. Taking notes will make you look engaged and interested in what is happening, and a professional planner and/or notebook are must-have workplace accessories. Brands like AT-A-GLANCE offer professional, yet stylish planners, matching desk pads, notepads and wall calendars in a variety of styles and formats. Visit MyAtAGlanceStory.com for organizational inspiration.

• Making comments in your notebook or planner helps you become the publisher of your story, capturing your life’s moments along the way. These are tools that help you look back on events in a tangible way.

• Rid yourself of the ever-present stress that comes with a busy life. Seeing everything written down will give you a sense of control. You will feel confident in

knowing you have it all set, and keeping a record of your tasks in one location gives you an easy, organized way to get a grasp on your days.

• Using a planner to track your schedule can actually help you find missing time.

You will have a better grasp on what is coming up and may even see a break that leaves you time to schedule dinner with a friend, try that new recipe you’ve been craving, or time to search for that special birthday present you need for the party this weekend.

• Increase productivity by maximizing the 24 hours that you have. Seeing everything on paper will help you plan and prioritize. Having “scheduled downtime” can help you to know when to go full steam ahead and when to take a break and unwind for a bit.

• Tracking in one place can also help prevent committing to things you can’t do.

Wall calendars for the house are a great tracking tool for multiple schedules, helping day-to-day tasks run smoothly.

• Whether you’re planning a wedding or a work conference, a planner is among the most important assets you can use to aid your efforts, helping you keep track of all the details, large and small.

Find a favorite pen and a favorite planner, and get back to basics. It may have been a little while since you relied on paper, but you may find that writing things down helps you keep better track of all of life’s little details and makes you the publisher of your own story.

11

12

December 2016

The Community News Flash

NEWS FLASH

Kids Zone

December 2016

The Community News Flash

13

PERSONAL FINANCE

Focus on Credit Factors, Not Credit Scores

By Nathaniel Sillin You should want to know your credit score.

After all, your credit can be incredibly important to your financial future. It could impact your likelihood of getting approved for a loan and the interest rate you'll get on new financial products.

However, understanding the factors that influence your credit score can be even more important than knowing the score itself.

There are five key factors that influence your credit scores. Fair Isaac Corporation's FICO credit scores are used for most lending decisions in the U.S., and the latest FICO base scoring model has

a 300 to 850 range. The score depends on the information in a person's credit report, and the lower the score the more likely the person is to pay late.

Past credit mistakes can stay on your reports for seven to 10 years. While the impact of negative marks diminishes over time, the credit-building process can be slow. However, just as a rising tide lifts all boats, improving your core credit factors could help raise all your scores over time.

FICO shares the five key factors that you should focus on to build healthy credit and the approximate weighting of each.

1. Payment history – 35 percent. A history of on-time payments can help your credit, while late payments, collection accounts, bankruptcies or other negative payment-related items could hurt it.

Some types of accounts, such as utility or mobile phone contracts, don't generally report positive activity (on-time payments) to credit bureaus. But if the account gets sent to collections, that could still hurt your credit.

You might want to open an account that reports your payments to the credit bureaus if you don't already have one (you can call the issuer and ask). Some people start with a secured credit card

or a credit-builder loan from a credit union, but consider what type of account best fits your situation.

2. Amounts owed – 30 percent. The amount you owe versus your available credit, known as your utilization rate, is another important factor. A lower utilization rate often leads to better credit.

If you're able to pay down credit card debt, that could quickly improve your utilization rate.

Increasing your cards' credit limits and keeping credit cards open even when you don't regularly use them could also help.

3. Length of credit history – 15 percent.

FICO looks at the age of your oldest account, newest account and average age of all your accounts. A longer history is usually better than a short one.

Keeping accounts open, and ideally in good standing, can help you increase your length of credit history. Even when you close an account it will remain on your reports and count towards your credit history for seven to 10 years.

4. New credit – 10 percent. The new credit section considers how many new accounts you have, what types of accounts they are and recent inquiries into your credit.

Hard inquiries generally occur when someone requests your credit report to make a lending decision or rental screening. A single inquiry will generally drop your score by a few points for several months, while multiple inquiries could have a larger negative impact.

However, credit-scoring agencies let you shop for a loan without a penalty. Multiple hard inquiries for some types of loans, such as auto loans, could count as a single inquiry for credit-scoring purposes if they occur within a 14- to 45day period.

Soft inquiry, which can happen when you check your credit or a company pre-qualifies you for an offer, don't hurt your credit at all.

Try not to open new accounts unless you need them and avoid new hard inquiries in the months leading up to applying for an important loan.

5. Credit mix –10 per-

cent. Your experience with different types of credit, such as revolving credit and installment loans, could impact your score, particularly if there isn't a lot of information in your credit report.

Having at least one credit card could help your credit mix, although that's not necessarily reason enough to apply for a card.

Natural Disasters and Your Finances The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation puts out a free quarterly newsletter full of useful information.

The latest edition of FDIC Consumer News focuses on the financial aspect of recovering from natural disasters.

Here are some highlights: —Consider having direct deposit so that you don’t have to depend on the mail going through if an area has been hit hard, and have an emergency savings fund.

—Keep records of your personal property and the estimated value (photos included).

—Store copies of important documents (Social Security card, birth certificates, insurance policies, drivers licenses) and assemble a list of phone and account numbers you’ll need. Add extra checks and some cash.

—Store records in waterproof plastic bags that you can grab and take with you in an emergency. Beware using a bank safe deposit box for the copies you’ll need immediately.

—Did you know that banks are required to prepare for disasters? Each one must have a plan describing how they’ll recover data and continue to serve customers, even when there is no power for long periods of time.

Bottom line: Learn which factors matter the most to your credit scores, and try to make a habit of practicing credit-building behavior. Creating a system that'll help you make on-time payments and only using a small portion of your available credit are good starts.

—If disaster strikes, report damage to your insurance company immediately. Don’t do any clean up until an adjuster has viewed the property.

Keep your receipts.

—Don’t fall for disaster-related scams — and there will be plenty of them. Get repair prices in writing, call your consumer-affairs office to see if it has information on anyone approaching you to do work, and get recommendations from friends. Beware those who pretend to be “from the government” and want you to fill out forms giving your personal financial information.

The FDIC site itself is full of good information, including up-to-date reports on bank closings, guarding against online identity theft, finding the best mortgage, bank overdraft programs and tips on understanding certificates of deposit.

The newsletters can be accessed online or mailed to you. Go to www. fdic.gov, click on Consumer Protection then Consumer News and Information. If you’d like to sign up for alerts, navigate to About FDIC and Email Subscriptions.

If you don’t have Internet access, you can call the FDIC at 1-877-2753342 (1-877-ASKFDIC) to have the newsletter mailed to you.

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 e-mail to columnreply@gmail.com. © 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

The Community News Flash

14

December 2016

By Samantha Weaver

• “I have added an additional shower curtain bar in my tub. I hang up my towels and washcloths there to air dry, and they are out of sight behind the shower curtain. It’s very convenient.” — A Reader, via email • “I put out small candy dishes in my home, and I like to keep them filled with goodies throughout the year. When I have little children over, I put them up high and let parents know that they and the children are welcome to have as much as they like. The parents appreciate this, as the children sometimes like to overindulge.” — D.A. in Rhode Island • Unexpected company on the way?

Throw clutter in a laundry basket and stash. Clear the sink of dirty dishes, take out the garbage, clean the faucets, sink and mirror in the bathroom most likely to be used and, finally, sweep or vacuum the floors. This should not take long, but these moves will maximize the feeling of cleanliness in your house.

• Here’s another use for a bandanna: in-a-pinch earmuffs. Tie around head and position over cold ears to keep winter winds at bay.

• Another great tip from M.W. in Saskatchewan, Canada: When traveling, let your host/hostess know of any serious health problems or allergies you may have and what to do in case of an emergency.

• One great item to have on hand in your pantry: jarred peppers and olives. They can be used to make a quick but sophisticated appetizer, and they add a lot of flavor for their price. They are very stable on the shelf, so you can keep them around just in case.

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 celebrated Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw who made the following sage observation: “The liar’s punishment is not in the least that he is not believed, but that he cannot believe anyone else.”

• Virginia law prohibits anyone over the age of 15 from wearing a mask in public, unless it’s part of a traditional holiday costume, for work or for medical reasons.

• You might be surprised to learn that there are people who study how air quality, humidity, the hardness of the water and pollution affect people’s hair. According to these researchers, the worst American cities for your tresses are Corpus Christi, Texas; Olympia, Wash.; and Pittsburgh.

• In a survey conducted by the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research, it was found that two-thirds of Americans believe they are smarter than the average American.

• If you happen to be traveling in India and are passing through the town of Deshnoke, you might want to check out the Karni Mata temple — but not if you have an aversion to rodents: Karni Mata is the rat goddess. Visitors can dine at the temple, but they have to watch out for the more than 20,000 rats mingling with the guests. Don’t worry, though; if a rat runs across your feet, it’s considered to be good luck.

• Ever wonder what the world’s deadliest animal is? It’s the lowly mosquito. Thanks to the diseases it spreads, it kills more humans than any other animal on the planet.

• In 2004, a record was set for the world’s farthest pizza delivery when a Domino’s Pizza in London delivered a vegetarian supreme pizza to Melbourne, Australia — a distance of 10,532 miles. The world record challenge was conducted as a fundraising event and brought in nearly $50,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

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December 2016

The Community News Flash

15

Christmas: The Most Important Holiday

J. Moffett Walker, Retired Counselor & Author What are your plans for Christmas? Do you plan lots of shopping like most individuals?

Is decorating your home and yard on your list? Do you plan to visit relatives and friends?

All of those items are on most people's of lists. Nothing is wrong with that. But I must say that Christmas is about more than that.

Think about the reason we celebrate Christmas. We set aside December 25th each year to remind us of Jesus' birth. Not only is this the most important holiday, it is the most important birthday. It rates far above the country's birthday, the Fourth of July and our individuals birthdays. Without, our Jesus, the

Lord our God, we would be NOTHING! NOTHING AT ALL! At Jesus’ birth, remember the three Wise Men came from afar bearing gifts for the baby. As a result, we give gifts to others, usually relatives, friends and coworkers. I recommend that all of us consider giving to someone in NEED! This could be a homeless person or a sick person or someone in a nursing home.

In my upcoming book, "Daybreak, Nightfall, Life," I make a strong statement. I say "If I can help somebody, then I will know my living is not in vain."

Merry Christmas to all and keep in mind that Christmas is the most important holiday.

P.S. Make sure your gifts are given with LOVE!

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Broccoli Mac ‘n’ Cheese

Salisbury Steaks There’s not a man around who doesn’t love the taste of Salisbury steak. There’s something in the sauce that’s more powerful than all the perfume Paris can make! Serve this to your man and see if he doesn’t agree.

16 ounces extra-lean ground sirloin or turkey breast 3/4 cup finely chopped onion 21 small fat-free saltine crackers, made into fine crumbs 1/3 cup reduced-sodium ketchup 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes 1/8 teaspoon black pepper 1 (12-ounce) jar fat-free beef gravy 1 (2-ounce) jar chopped pimiento, undrained 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray an 8-by-12-inch baking dish with butter-flavored cooking spray.

2. In a large bowl, combine meat, onion, cracker crumbs, ketchup, parsley flakes and black pepper. Mix well to combine. Using a 1/3 cup measuring cup as a guide, form into 6 patties.

3. Place patties in a large skillet sprayed with butter-flavored cooking spray and brown for about 3 minutes on each side. Place browned patties in prepared baking dish.

4. In a small bowl, combine gravy and undrained pimiento. Evenly spoon gravy mixture over patties.

Cover and bake for 45 to 50 minutes.

When serving, evenly spoon gravy over patties. Serves 6. ? Each serving equals: 178 calories, 6g fat, 16g protein, 15g carb., 631mg sodium, 1gm fiber; Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Meat, 1 Starch/Carb. © 2011 Ki

F

S

d I

Forget the box! This homemade macaroni and cheese is easy, tastier and takes only 40 minutes!

2 slices whole wheat bread 8 ounces (2 1/4 cups) extrasharp Cheddar cheese, shredded 2 tablespoons cornstarch 3 1/4 cups (1 percent) low-fat milk 6 ounces (2 cups) Gouda cheese, shredded 1 box (16 oz.) elbow macaroni 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 pound small broccoli florets 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 1. Heat covered 8-quart saucepot with 6 quarts water to boiling.

2. Arrange oven rack 6 inches from broiler heat source. Preheat broiler.

Tear bread into large chunks. In food processor with knife blade attached, pulse bread until crumbs form. In small bowl, combine breadcrumbs and 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar.

3. Meanwhile, in 3 1/2- to 4-quart saucepot, with wire whisk, combine cornstarch and 1/4 cup of the milk until smooth. Heat on medium-high, gradually adding remaining 3 cups milk in slow, steady stream, whisking constantly. Heat to boiling, whisking frequently, then cook 2 minutes longer, whisking constantly. Remove saucepot from heat and immediately stir in Gouda and remaining Cheddar.

Stir until cheeses are completely melted and sauce is smooth.

4. Add macaroni and 1 teaspoon salt to boiling water. Cook 1 minute, stirring occasionally, then add broccoli. Cook 4 to 5 minutes longer or until pasta is just tender but firm and broccoli is bright green and crisp-tender, stirring occasionally.

Drain well, then immediately return to saucepot. Add sauce, nutmeg, salt and pepper, and stir over mediumlow heat until well mixed.

5. Transfer mixture to 3-quart shallow baking dish. Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture evenly over top. Broil 1 to 2 minutes or until topping is golden brown. Makes 8 main-dish servings • Each serving: About 490 calories, 18g total fat (11g saturated), 58mg cholesterol, 585 sodium, 59g carbohydrate, 4g dietary fiber, 25g protein.

For thousands of triple-tested recipes, visit our website at www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipefinder/.

1. MUSIC: Where would one find a coda to a piece of music?

2. LANGUAGE: What is a “beau geste”?

3. INVENTIONS: When was the first patent issued for the modern zipper?

4. ANATOMY: What organ in the human body produces insulin?

5. MEASUREMENTS: What was the sextant once used for?

6. HISTORY: Who founded the colony of Rhode Island?

7. GEOGRAPHY: Where is the famous Watergate building?

8. FAMOUS PEOPLE: How did Andrew Carnegie make his fortune?

9. REVOLUTIONARY FIGURES: What did American patriot Paul Revere do for a living?

10. BIBLE: Where did Cain go to live after slaying Abel?

Answers 1. The end 2. Noble gesture 3. 1917 4. Pancreas 5. Navigation. The instrument measures the angles between visible objects.

6. Roger Williams 7. Washington, D.C. 8. Steel industry 9. He was an accomplished silversmith 10. The land of Nod

1. Who was the youngest pitcher to toss a complete-game shutout in a World Series game?

2. Name the player who led the American League in home runs twice during the 1950s, but finished his career with fewer than 200 career home runs.

3. In 2010, Auburn and Arkansas set an SEC record for most combined points in a non-overtime game (108).

Which two teams had held the mark?

4. Who holds the NBA record for most blocked shots in a seven-game playoff series?

5. When was the last time an ECAC Hockey school won the NCAA men’s hockey championship?

6. Bill Elliott had won 44 NASCAR Cup races entering 2011. In what year did he record the most wins, and how many?

7. Who was the first unseeded player in the Open era of tennis to win the men’s singles title at the U.S. Open?

Answers 1. Baltimore’s Jim Palmer was 20 years old when he did it in 1966.

2. Al Rosen led the A.L. with 37 home runs in 1950 and 43 in 1953, but finished his 10-year major-league career with 192.

3. South Carolina and Mississippi State combined for 104 points in 1995.

4. Denver’s Dikembe Mutombo blocked 38 shots in a series against Utah in 1994.

5. Harvard won the title in 1989.

6. He won 11 races in 1985.

7. Andre Agassi, in 1994.

Gifts From the Grocery Store Stretching your budget to cover holiday gifts and deciding what to give are common problems at this time of year.

Inexpensive ingredients from your local grocery store can solve both your budget and gift-giving dilemmas. Gifts from the kitchen provide a way to give from the heart. Being fancy or elaborate isn't important -- being thoughtful is.

Here are some tips for giving food as a gift: --Avoid adding nuts or coconut to recipes for very young children or the elderly, as these ingredients could potentially create a choking hazard.

--If you know your recipient has

December 2016

The Community News Flash

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diabetes or is working hard to maintain a healthy weight, don't tempt them with high-calorie treats. Opt for soup mixes or low-fat, whole-grain fruit breads.

--Consider the household. A single person or couple may really enjoy a small fruit basket, but would find a case of grapefruit overwhelming. Give items in proportion to household size.

--There often is an abundance of foods during the holidays, so think about a gift for the weeks ahead.

Coordinate a festive basket complete with the recipe and ingredients needed to prepare a special meal. Use a theme like Mexican, Italian or German.

--For friends or family members who have limited cooking skills, give a Meal of the Month certificate. Pledge to prepare them a meal once per month.

This would be a special gift for those who live alone or someone who finds cooking a challenge. Plan to share the gift of your time and enjoy the meal with them as well.

This recipe for Hearty Confetti Bean Soup Mix is an economical and nutritious gift from the kitchen. Place the ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and place a festive ribbon on top or use holiday stamps or stickers to decorate a resealable plastic bag. Print a

you with numerous gift-giving solutions on a budget. Happy holidays!

HEARTY CONFETTI BEAN SOUP MIX

copy of the recipe on a card (you can write or print out a copy, cut it out and paste it on the back of an old Christmas card or a note card) and attach the recipe below with a ribbon. The delicious seasoning mix included with the bean mixture ensures that the soup will be both tasty and easy to make. The following recipe yields four gift jars or plastic bags of soup mix. This recipe will yield 8 to 12 servings of bean soup (a 1 cup serving contains 160 calories).

Remember, with a little imagination, your grocery store can provide

1 pound dry black beans 1 pound dry Great Northern beans 1 pound dry red kidney beans 1 pound dry pinto beans 1 pound dry green split peas 4 (1 quart) jars with lids or re-sealable plastic bags 1. In large bowl, mix beans. Spoon this mix into four 4-cup containers (1quart jars or plastic zipper bags), placing about 3 rounded cups into each container.

2. Prepare seasoning bags.

4 (6-inch) squares plastic wrap or 4 re-sealable sandwich bags 12 beef bouillon cubes 3/4 cup dried chopped chives 4 teaspoons dried savory 2 teaspoons ground cumin 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper 8 bay leaves 1. On each square of plastic wrap or in each sandwich bag, place 3 beef-flavor bouillon cubes, 3 tablespoons dried chopped chives, 1 teaspoon dried

With Glad Tidings From Our Entire Staff At The Holidays

savory, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 ground black pepper and 1 bay leaf.

Gather plastic wrap up to form a pouch, and tie with string or ribbon or seal plastic bag.

2. Place one seasoning bag in each container of bean mix.

Provide the following recipe to gift recipients.

Prepare the Hearty Confetti Bean Soup at least three hours before serving to allow the flavors to combine: 1. Rinse beans from one container of Hearty Confetti Bean Soup mix with cold water and discard any stones, debris or shriveled beans. In 5-quart Dutch oven over high heat, heat beans and 9 cups water to boiling and for cook 3 minutes. Remove from heat.

Cover and let stand 1 hour. Drain and rinse beans.

2. Return beans to Dutch oven. Add contents of seasoning bag from mix and 5 cups water. Over high heat, heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low.

3. Cover and simmer 90 minutes or until beans are tender, stirring occasionally. Add 16 ounces stewed tomatoes with its liquid. Over high heat, heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low. Cook uncovered 15 minutes longer, stirring to break up tomatoes.

May all your news be good news this holiday season.

We’re proud to serve this fine community and we thank you for your loyal readership and support all year long.