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Women’s conference offers opportunity to find Lord’s peace among chaos

By Lucy Weber

The Women of Grace conference at Christ Centered Church in Corinth will share praise and worship March 28-29 as women gather to be still in God’s love and presence.

Based on Psalms 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted on the earth.” The conference aims to be a call to trust in God’s promises and to practice stillness in the midst of chaos.

“If you want to hear excellent singing, music, and testimony, this is the place to be,” said Beverly Harris, the first lady of Christ Centered Church, which is led by her husband, Pastor Tony Harris. “This is an opportunity for women to spend time in prayer and praise and to be connected with each other.”

The Friday night and Saturday services are open to the community. The cost to attend is $20 and includes a conference T-shirt.

Usually held in May, the conference this year has been moved to March to avoid busy end-of-theschool-year activities. “We want women in our community to be a part of it all. We want to point women to the right source that has all our answers, and that is Jesus.”

Registration is now open and will continue through March 28.

Pastor Loretta Stafford of Biggersville, who leads Warren Chapel CME Church in Mantachie, will deliver a rousing message at the Friday service that begins at 6:30 p.m. Saturday will kick off with a continental breakfast followed by a 10 a.m. praise

and worship service featuring a message from church member Marquette Lipford. Mrs. Harris, who serves as youth minister at the church, will close the weekend out. The Saturday service will hone in on the chosen Scripture of being still with God.

“I want to be an instrument of what the Lord has given to me and help others find that peace,” Mrs. Harris said. “The Lord said we’ve been blessed to be a blessing. He expects us to give that blessing to others.”

The services will offer connection cards that will allow those in the audience to share what’s on their hearts. ”We will get those cards and pray over them and reach out. We will try to meet the needs of the people.

“Being still in the Lord means to trust Him and humble yourself. You will find peace in the Lord. If you have that peace, it will rule your heart and life even in the darkest times,” she said.

Registration for the weekend conference can be done through the church’s Cash App, $3Cchurch, and be sure to include WOG Conf.25 and your T-shirt size. Registration can also be accomplished by calling Mrs. Harris at 662-808-8766 or dropping by her office at Liberty National, 512 Taylor St. in Corinth.

Beverly Harris

Stop by our new location at 712 S. Tate St., Corinth, Mississippi, or contact me, Jerry W. Porter, at (662) 643-6842, or visit us on Facebook to get more information on this ministry. If you wish to make a donation to this ministry, it would be greatly appreciated. Please use the Cash App at $SuitsYouToo or mail your donation to PO Box 1292, Corinth, MS 38835.

FEBRUARY BIBLE TRIVIA

1. What loving woman, a concubine of Saul, watched over the corpses of her slaughtered children, protecting them from birds and animals?

2. Though her profession was condemned by an official decree of King Saul, the king disguised himself in order to get help from her. Who was she?

3. What Persian queen upset the king and his counselors by refusing to appear before them at their drunken banquet?

4. What dancer so enchanted Herod that he offered her anything she wished?

5. Who was turned into a pillar of salt?

6. What king of Judah was Abi the wife of?

7. What sister of David had the same name as one David's wives?

8. What woman was given as a wife after her future husband brought in two hundred Philistine foreskins as a gift to her father?

9. Who offered a bottle of milk to an enemy soldier and then killed him?

10. After Even, who is the first woman mentioned in the Bible?

11. What Old Testament woman had children named L-ruhaman, Lo=ammi, and Jezreel?

12. What was Saul's wife name?

13. What wife of David was also given as a wife to a man named Phalti?

14. What woman of Corinth had a household that Paul described as being full of strife among Christian leaders?

15. What woman was, in Ezekiel, used as a symbol of wicked Jerusalem?

16. What woman with a cumbersome name was the Hittite wife of Esau?

17. Who is the only woman mentioned in Paul's letter to Philemon?

18. What Egyptian woman was the wife of Joseph?

19. Who was the mother of the Levitical priesthood?

20. What king of Judah was the husband of Azubah?

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 and contestant can only win twice within a 6 month period.

January Answers

1. The Phillippian jailor (Acts 16:29)

2. Gideon (Judges 7:16-21)

3. The new Jerusalem (Revelation 22:5)

4. A lost coin (Luke 15:8)

5. The Gadarene demoniac (Mark 5:3-4)

6. Rehab the harlot (Joshua 2:15-19)

7. Solomon (2 Chronicles 3:16)

8. Belshazzar (Daniel 5:29)

9. Midianites (Judges 8:26)

10. Peter (Acts 12:6-7)

11. Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 39:7)

12. Tamar (Genesis 38:28)

13. Pharaoh (Genesis 41:42)

14. Samson (Judges 16:6-9)

15. Jeremiah (40:1)

16. Satan (Revelation 20:1-2)

17. Paul (Acts 28:20)

18. Aaron (Exodus 28:14)

19. The servants of Ben-hadad (I Kings 20:31)

20. Paul (Acts 27:30-32)

Navigating Your Finances During a Presidential Transition

(StatePoint) It’s common to wonder how a new presidential administration will impact your wallet. As policies and regulations change, many people are left questioning what it means for their money.

According to CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals, here’s how to safely navigate your finances during a presidential transition: Take market coverage with a grain of salt: Media headlines might feel overwhelming, but it’s wise to avoid making big investment decisions based solely on the 24-hour news cycle. Unlike what you may hear, U.S. market growth and resilience have historically remained steady regardless of the political climate. For investment planning and advice, always rely on trusted resources, such as the insights of your financial advisor.

Focus on fundamentals: Market volatility around election cycles is historically short-lived, so now is not the time to try to game the system, fully revamp your portfolio or reverse course on your long-term investment strategy. As always, you should stay focused on sound investment principles, like diversi-

fication and compound interest.

Examine your tax strategy: Consider whether your tax strategy will need tweaking in light of laws ushered in by the new administration. Whether it is your capital gains taxes or your small business taxes, new regulations can impact what you pay. Your financial advisor can help ensure you continue to maximize every dollar you earn.

Take a look at your savings: Policies coming out of Washington could affect healthcare costs, energy prices, Social Security income and other factors that impact your overall financial picture.

Work with a CFP® professional to create a holistic financial plan that is both tailored to your needs and adaptable to change.

To find a CFP® professional that will work in your best interests throughout this presidential administration and beyond, visit LetsMakeAPlan.org.

Navigating your finances during a presidential transition can feel tricky but with a big-picture mentality and the partnership of a qualified financial advisor, you can meet your financial goals.

Lessons from Church

Yesterday we commemorated the epiphany in mass and in the Greek Orthodox Church. Yes, I always learn and am reminded of lessons during services, but these are not the ones I’m speaking of today.

Today my teachers were not the priest or readings; today my teachers were fellow parishioners. It was the second time I attended services at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Memphis. I sat at the third pew on the right, closest to the altar. Yes, I’ve always been the kind of nerdy student who sat at the front of the classroom in school.

The truth is, I still am. Anyhow, to my right in the set of pews near me was a precious young married couple; he was a hefty young disabled man in a wheelchair, and she was an able-bodied young lady with mental/developmental challenges and a kyphotic (hunched) back. They held hands during most of the liturgy, and together they passionately and proudly sang all the chants in Greek and English.

These two beautiful souls taught me what love really is. They taught me that love is acceptance, love must be shown in actions, love is knowing your partner's weaknesses and filling in the gaps of those weaknesses, not getting annoyed or criticizing them. He dropped his book, and she picked it up and handed it to him. She got confused, and by her expressions, her confusion caused her a little anxiety.

He lovingly guided her in such a way that did not make her look as if she were confused; he protected her integrity. It was time for communion, and just as one would expect, she pushed his wheelchair to the front of the altar so that they both could partake in the sacraments together.

Moments later, another lesson, another teacher presented themselves. To my left, in the pews near me, was a gentleman feverishly praying. He, like the rest of us, was standing. He had a sense of urgency about him as if he were pleading while praying softly out loud. I don’t know what he was praying for, but witnessing him, I completely forgot about my own prayers. You see, as I entered church, I came with a list of things I wanted to talk with God about. I planned on praying for me, my

family, and my friends/community, but I wanted to pray for my life and guidance as I’m about to make some serious life-altering decisions.

And so, the only prayer that came to mind at that very moment as I looked at this gentleman was this: “God, please hear his prayer.” This teacher taught me selflessness.Now for my final teacher, my final lesson. A middle-aged man stood in the pews directly in front of me, and unlike everyone else, he stood sideways and not facing forward towards the altar.

He was chewing gum, and he had a look of cockiness about him, wore a brown tweed blazer with khaki pants, held a fancy hat in his hand, and scanned the church parishioners as if he were a forensics detective. He rarely looked at the priest or the altar, but rather he was watching the comings and goings of everyone.

I must confess that I thought he was arrogant & rude. After church, we all walked to the fellowship hall for coffee. I stood there for a moment with my warm coffee in my hand when suddenly the gentleman I’m speaking of, the one who stood sideways in church, approached me.

“Hello, I saw you standing alone and wanted to introduce myself and keep you company,” he said. “My name is Keith; what’s yours?” Humiliated and a bit upset with myself, I shook his hand. “I wish my wife were here to meet you, but she stayed home today,” he explained. I just met this stranger, and in less than two minutes he instructed me to sit down because he has an amazing story to share with me.

“Francine, or is it Maria? I have 6 kids and 13 grandkids,” he informed me. I thought to myself, ‘That’s great, but what’s so amazing?’ “You see, I met my wife when we were kids in high school. We were high school sweethearts and each other's first loves. We had an oops baby during that time; we were both 16/17 years old.

It was hard for us and our families, but we gave our newborn baby up for adoption, and we broke up.” Tears welled up in my eyes for the third time, the third lesson of the day. “Don’t cry, Francine; I haven’t gotten to the good part. Years later I got married, had a child, and later got divorced. She too got married, had three children, and later got divorced.

Many years later we ran into each other at a restaurant, and from that moment on we have been inseparable. We got married, had a child together, and this Christmas our son we gave up for adoption 44 years ago spent the holidays with us. Thanks to the internet, we finally found him.” More tears. At that very moment, as I wiped away tears, I realized this teacher taught me non-judgment.

I finished my coffee, but not before Keith stood up and, with his right index finger, pointed to a parishioner and proclaimed, “That’s so-and-so, and he owns several local movie theaters, and that one owns a fancy restaurant & she is an heir to a family corporation, and they are married, and those two are dating.” Yup, just like a Greek YiaYia in a village; he knew everything about everyone. “Francine, did you say you’re seeing a gentleman, a boyfriend? What does he do for a living?

Well, the smartest thing I ever did was fall in love with a sweet Greek girl and later marry her. You tell your boyfriend I said so.” With a full heart & big smile, I left church grateful for my lessons and my teachers.

T“ “

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2 NIV

Transformative Experiences

here are many types of transformative experiences: having a child, living in a foreign culture and learning their customs and language, losing a limb or having a near death experience, and of course religious conversions. Sometimes we can choose to have the transformative experience, such as when one chooses to have a child or go live in a foreign country; other times these experiences happen to us uninvited, such as when one suffers a heart attack or has some other life-altering but unexpected experience. But even when we choose to have the transformative experience, we often can’t control exactly how it will change us. We can’t know ahead of time if we’ll love being a parent or living in Alaska and so the question arises how we decide what to do. Our current values may change so thoroughly through the transformative experience that we have to ask who is doing the deciding, the future self or the current self?

–Christopher Simon

Corinth banker makes customers

By Lucy Weber

Cherri Warren has come full circle in her 24-year Trustmark Bank career.

The manager of the bank office at 101 Hwy 72 West in Corinth for a year, Warren welcomes customers with a smile to the branch where she started as a teller in February 2001. “I think it’s exciting to come back,” she said. “It’s been a great year,”

“We know our customers by name. We’re building these relationships, and that’s what we work toward. Getting to know our customers is very important.”

Warren, a resident of Jumpertown, said she works to ensure the branch runs smoothly. “I make sure we’re greeting people with smiles. I open checking accounts, do loans, oversee all aspects of the bank, and make sure it all runs smoothly.”

Warren has moved up the career ladder at the bank by showing initiative and an eagerness to learn. “Every time there was an opportunity to learn skills, I did it so I could be flexible on the job and grow in the company,” she said. “The hard work paid off.”

She never anticipated a career in banking, but once Warren began her work, she realized she found her job path. “I love engaging and meeting people every day. My knowledge has grown.”

Through the years, Warren said she learned different skills through her job as a floater for some time before becoming manager. “That’s when I learned all the different jobs. That’s what got me where I am now. When there is an opportunity for training, learn as much as you can.”

Working at the bank means engaging and meeting different people while helping them with their finances, Warren said. “I’m always happy to help. My next step is to get more involved in financial literacy through churches, schools, or other groups.”

To stay on top of their financial health, Warren encourages people to check their bank statements and pay attention to their accounts. “A lot of people don’t open their statements, but you need to know what’s in there.”

Another tip is to watch out for skimmers that can steal information from a bank card. “Be careful where you’re swiping your card,” she said.

Warren stays involved in her community, both through the bank and her hometown. She is a member of Oak Hill MB Church in Booneville. “I have a big support system. I grew up on Agnew Hill, and I live in an area where I have lots of family.”

and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29 NIV

Accounts of people surviving for long periods of time in the wilderness or lost at sea are amaing, and often uplifting. The will to live is strong, and you don’t know how far you can go until you are forced to do it. There are accounts of polar explorers surviving for years because their ships were iced in or stuck in the ice, such as the ranklin expedition, which left ngland in 1 seeking the Northwest assage and was icebound until 1, when the crews left their ships and tried to walk to safety they never made it. The onner arty was a group of migrants going to California who spent the winter of 1-1 in the Sierra Nevada mountains and resorted to cannibalism to survive. ore recently, in 12 a group of ruguayan rugby players travelling by plane crashed in the Andes and survived by eating some of the remains of passengers who had died. The decision to eat human esh to survive is surely one of the most difcult and horric one can imagine, and yet it shows the strength of our will to live. These stories of survival also show that human beings, when pushed to the limit often nd ways to push beyond the limit. The phenomenon of a second wind, where we nd reserves of energy hitherto untapped is familiar to every endurance athlete. What we seldom hear about, however, is that there can often be a third or a fourth wind, that is, we can almost always dig deeper to nd further untapped reserves. And what is more, when the reserves within have truly run dry, we can sometimes tap into sources from without, and one of the greatest is the divine energy coursing through all of nature. So the next time you’re feeling wiped out and that you can’t go another step, look for that second wind, and ask od for strength to carry on.

–Christopher Simon

Cherri Warren

He gives strength to the weary

Suits You Too Mobile

Black History: Modern Day Trailblazers

1. Barack Obama was the first Black President of the U.S., serving two terms from 2009-2017.

2. Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed as the first Black woman on the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022.

3. Stacey Abrams played a pivotal role in increasing voter turnout in Georgia during the 2020 elections.

4. Raphael Warnock became Georgia’s first Black U.S. Senator in 2021.

5. Keisha Lance Bottoms served as the mayor of Atlanta and became a national leader on justice reform.

6. Cori Bush became Missouri’s first Black Congresswoman in 2021.

7.Marcia Fudge was appointed as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in 2021.

8. Karen Bass became the first Black woman mayor of Los Angeles in 2022.

9. Beyoncé won 32 Grammy Awards, becoming the most awarded artist in Grammy history by 2023.

10. Viola Davis became an EGOT winner in 2023, having won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award.

11. Deion Sanders revitalized HBCU sports as the head coach of Jackson State and Colorado.

12. Misty Copeland became the first Black principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre in 2015.

13. John Legend became an EGOT winner in 2018

"We've gone Mobile"

14. Regina King won an Oscar for If Beale Street Could Talk in 2019.

15. Tyler Perry opened his historic film studio in Atlanta in 2019.

16. Serena Williams is considered one of the greatest tennis players, with 23 Grand Slam titles.

23. Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett helped develop the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

24. Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson was the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. from MIT in nuclear physics.

25. Timnit Gebru is a leading voice on ethical AI research.

26. Lisa Gelobter helped develop the animation technology behind GIFs.

27. Simone Biles is the most decorated gymnast in world championship history.

28. LeBron James became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer in 2023.

29. Tiger Woods won his 15th major golf championship in 2019.

30. Sha’Carri Richardson became a global track and field star in 2023

31. Stephen Curry revolutionized basketball with his three-point shooting.

32. Naomi Osaka won four Grand Slam titles and became a mental health advocate.

33. Mae Jemison became the first Black woman astronaut in 1992.

34. Lonnie Johnson invented the Super Soaker, one of the best-selling toys in history.

35. Dr. Ayanna Howard is a trailblazer in robotics and artificial intelligence.

36. Robert F. Smith paid off Morehouse College’s Class of 2019 student loan debt.

37. Daymond John co-founded FUBU and became a star investor on Shark Tank.

38. Rihanna launched Fenty Beauty, redefining inclusivity in the beauty industry.

39. LeBron James opened the "I PROMISE School" in Akron, Ohio.

17. Zendaya became the youngest woman to win multiple Emmys for her role in Euphoria.

18. Bubba Wallace became the second Black driver to win a NASCAR Cup Series race in 2021.

19. Mark Dean co-invented the personal computer.

20. Oprah Winfrey became the first Black woman billionaire in 2003.

21. Dr. Gladys West played a key role in developing GPS technology.

22. Katherine Johnson was instrumental in NASA’s early space missions.

40. Tyler Perry became the first Black person to own a major film studio outright.

41. Issa Rae created HOORAE Media, promoting diverse creators.

42. Jay-Z became a billionaire through music, business, and philanthropy.

43. Bozoma Saint John became a trailblazing marketing executive at companies like Netflix and Uber.

44. Brittney Cooper is a leading feminist scholar and author.

45. . Amanda Gorman became the youngest inaugural poet in 2021.

Protecting Your Child From Illness in Winter Months

(StatePoint) Your child has a stuffy nose, cough and fever. Is it the flu? COVID? A common cold? Or are they symptoms of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)? Or another virus known to cause the common cold? There seem to be so many, especially in young children who can have several colds per year.

Viruses can keep your child out of school for days and aren’t cured by antibiotics. Days being sick mean missing activities and time with friends. One of the best ways to keep everyone healthy is to get vaccinated when you can, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

“Children spend a lot of time indoors close to others during the winter. It’s easy to share germs when you are playing, especially for younger children who may not be as good at wiping their nose or washing their hands,” said Dr. Joanna Parga-Belinkie, a neonatologist, pediatrician and mom of three.

“It’s not too late to have your child vaccinated for flu and COVID to help keep them from passing and picking up viruses during play. These vaccines help boost the immune system. It’s sort of like when your phone updates its software to recognize and resist viruses. This boost helps protect children and the community from severe illness.”

If your child isn’t feeling well and has a fever,

stuffy nose, cough, headache or body aches, is throwing up or has diarrhea, it is most likely from a virus. There are tests for things like the flu, RSV and other causes of illness. Be sure to call your pediatrician to help sort out if you need testing and if it could be flu, COVID, or a cold.

Ask your pediatrician about the flu vaccine. It is recommended for everyone 6 months and older each

year. Just last year in 2024, nearly 200 U.S. children died of flu-related illness. Eighty-three percent of the children who died from the flu were not vaccinated, making it clear that the flu vaccine helped children avoid getting very sick.

It’s also important to get the updated COVID vaccine. This virus has not gone away, and it still makes kids sick. In August 2024 during a COVID spike, nearly 6% of emergency department visits for children younger than 5 years old were from COVID, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Lastly, the most common cause of hospitalization in infants under 1 year of age is RSV. Infecting nearly all children at least once by the time they are 2 years old, RSV can be dangerous. The infection can spread to the lungs and cause serious breathing problems that can’t be managed at home. Nirsevimab (Beyfortus) immunization is for infants under 8 months of age during RSV season. It is also for some children age 8 through 19 months who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease and entering their second RSV season.

Healthy Children, the parent and caregiver website of the American Academy of Pediatrics, offers more information at healthychildren.org.

ut now that he is dead, why should go on fasting an bring him bac again will go to him, but he will not return to me.

Samuel 12:2 NIV

It is a sad truth that most people are not sufciently appreciated while they are alive. Works of art are almost always more valuable after the artist has passed away, ust as books are read more after their authors have died. When our parents and grandparents pass away we nd ourselves wanting something of them to hang onto. We might ask for something of theirs to remember them by, sometimes it’s something as simple as their favorite cup or a sweater they wore. What is often hardest for us to deal with after the death of someone we love is that we know we’ll never share a conversation with them again, or a hug, or ust being with them, at least not in the physical sense. I recall how much I missed my father after his passing, especially in those rst few months. I went to him for advice up until the very end of his life and I felt like his advice got better as he aged, more focused on the things that really mattered. But this sad truth about missing people and only appreciating them when they are gone doesn’t have to be this way. We can and should appreciate them while they are here and tell them so. And we can, in a way, still have a conversation with them after they are gone. I sometimes still talk to my father, telling him how much I miss him, and I can almost hear him responding that he misses me too, but that I should enoy my life and my family, and soon enough we’ll be together in our forever home.

–Christopher Simon

(c) Drazen Zigic / iStock via Getty Images Plus

NEWS FLASH Kids Zone

Cozy Up With Nourishing, Soup-Centered Meals

(StatePoint) As the days grow cooler, nothing comforts quite like a warm bowl of soup. Welcome the crisp air by making wholesome, hearty soups the star of your meals. Ideal for family dinners, quiet nights in, or meal prep for busy weeks, soups are versatile and satisfying, offering a variety of flavors and textures that the whole family will love.

While soup has always been a cool-weather favorite, incorporating it into baked dishes can bring a new twist to classic recipes. By adding seasonal ingredients, protein and hearty grains, you can create balanced, warming meals that feel both familiar and fresh.

Soups not only provide comfort, but they also pack a nutritious punch. Filled with vegetables, legumes and whole grains, they’re a great way to create nourishing dishes that warm both the body and soul. Amy’s Kitchen, known for its high-quality, organic meals and snacks, cooks its soups from scratch—using slow-simmered broths, fresh vegetables and plant-based proteins.

This soup season, Amy’s is introducing

five new soups that can transform any meal into a nutrient-rich delight. Whether you’re savoring a Sunday supper with their Pasta Fagioli, warming up with Vegetable Jambalaya, Dal Makhani, or Gumbo Soup, or whipping up a pot of 3 Bean Vegetable Chili for a football watch party or tailgate, Amy’s soups provide flavorful, wholesome solutions for every occasion. Want to elevate your soup game? Try incorporating classic soups into new recipes! Host a cozy soup night or brunch gathering with friends, where everyone

brings their favorite twist on traditional soups. Need some inspiration? Here’s a crowd-pleasing recipe to try that pairs cheesy cornbread with flavorful chili: Chili Topped Cheesy Cornbread Ingredients:

• 2 corn on the cobs

• 1 cup self-rising flour

• 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

• 3/4 cup natural yogurt

• 4.6 fluid ounces olive oil

• 1 cup instant polenta

• 2 tablespoons maple syrup

• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar

• 1 bunch green onions, finely sliced

• 3 ounces feta, crumbled

• 1/2 can Amy’s Organic 3 Bean Vegetable Chili

• 1 1/2 ounce mature cheddar, grated

• 1 teaspoon nigella seeds

Directions:

1. Place a large frying pan over high heat and char the whole corn on all sides for 10 minutes, turning regularly until slightly blackened. Remove to a board and

cut off all the kernels into a bowl.

2. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease and line a 10-inch ovenproof skillet pan.

3. Tip the flour, baking powder, cayenne pepper and 1 teaspoon salt into a bowl and whisk together.

4. In another bowl, mix together the yogurt, oil, polenta, maple syrup and vinegar; whisk until combined.

5. Pour the wet mix into the dry ingredients and fold to combine. Add the green onions, feta and charred corn and stir again.

6. Pour the cornbread mix into the prepared skillet. Add small spoonfuls of Amy’s Organic Spicy Chili on top. Top with grated cheddar and nigella seeds. Bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes until risen and a skewer comes out clean.

7. Enjoy while warm or serve at room temperature. Best eaten that day.

Pro tip: Serve alongside smashed avocado or fresh tomato salsa. Slice the cornbread up, pop into the freezer and when you fancy a slice, simply defrost and reheat in the toaster.

Easy Renter-Friendly Tips to Weatherize Your Home

(StatePoint) Taking the proper steps to weatherproof your rental is a simple way to stay snug this cold-weather season – while also resulting in notable savings on heating and energy bills.

In fact, a Duck brand survey found that 80% of people noticed a decrease in their heating bill after using affordable weatherization products, such as window insulation kits, weatherstrip seals and door draft seals. With this in mind, here are temporary ways to prep your rental for the winter without causing any damage. Install draft seals. Doors and windows are notorious for letting in cold air, which can drastically affect your home’s temperature. Fortunately for renters, the Duck Brand Double Draft Seal is a removable solution designed to insulate your door from both sides. This practical tool blocks drafts while maintaining the room’s temperature, ensuring both comfort and energy efficiency. Simply slide the seal under interior or exterior doors and window frames to keep cold air from coming in. Even better, the seals can be reused in future residences, making them a smart choice for keeping your comfort intact wherever you choose to live next.

Hang thermal curtains. Thermal curtains are an excellent option if you’re looking for DIY ways to increase your space’s energy efficiency. By hanging

these insulated drapes, the cold air between the window and fabric remains trapped, helping to maintain a comfortable temperature without the need to turn up the heat. If your lease doesn’t give permission to drill into the wall, use a tension rod to install them.

Embrace window kits. If thermal curtains aren’t your style, installing a removable window kit is just as easy. The Duck Max Strength Rolled Shrink Film Window Insulation Kit creates an added barrier between the outdoor air and your home’s inside. Plus, unlike thermal curtains, the film is crystal clear and allows natural light to peer through windows.

Dress your floors. Who said weatherization can’t be stylish?

By placing decorative, cozy rugs on hardwood floors and tiles, you can further insulate your rental. While these items won’t fully prevent heat loss, they do offer an extra layer of warmth and can help reduce drafts from cold floors, making them an obvious choice if you’re a renter looking to stay warm without making permanent changes.

For more weatherization howto’s, head to www.duckbrand. com/weatherize.

By taking these steps, renters can remain draft-free and damage-free, staying warm while lowering costly electric bills.

Navigating Your Finances During a Presidential Transition

(StatePoint) It’s common to wonder how a new presidential administration will impact your wallet. As policies and regulations change, many people are left questioning what it means for their money.

According to CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals, here’s how to safely navigate your finances during a presidential transition:

Take market coverage with a grain of salt: Media headlines might feel overwhelming, but it’s wise to avoid making big investment decisions based solely on the 24-hour news cycle. Unlike what you may hear, U.S. market growth and resilience have historically remained steady regardless of the political climate. For investment planning and advice, always rely on trusted resources, such as the insights of your financial advisor.

CAREERS

Why Financial Planning Is a Career for Giving Back

ated a persisting racial wealth gap. According to a 2021 report by the U.S. Federal Reserve, the average Black and Hispanic household holds roughly 15-20% as much net wealth as Asian and white American families.

ples, like diversification and compound interest.

Take a look at your savings: Policies coming out of Washington could affect healthcare costs, energy prices, Social Security income and other factors that impact your overall financial picture. Work with a CFP® professional to create a holistic financial plan that is both tailored to your needs and adaptable to change.

To find a CFP® professional that will work in your best interests throughout this presidential administration and beyond, visit LetsMakeAPlan.org.

Navigating your finances during a presidential transition can feel tricky but with a big-picture mentality and the partnership of a qualified financial advisor, you can meet your financial goals.

(StatePoint) Financial planning may be a lucrative profession in a growing sector, but it’s also well-suited for those who love helping others. Here are six reasons why becoming a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional is a great path for those who want to give back. The profession prioritizes giving back: Seventy-six percent of CFP® professionals believe that pro bono services are important. In fact, being able to help others is why many people report getting into this profession in the first place. This philanthropic mindset is also reflected in CFP Board’s recommendation that all CFP® professionals provide at least 20 hours of pro bono services each year, as well as the organization’s 2024 goal of increasing the total number of volunteer hours to 100,000.

Resources make it easy: Financial planners who want to offer their services to traditionally underserved communities can access resources to help them in this endeavor, such as the Foundation

for Financial Planning’s Pro Bono 101 Course. CFP® professionals can also visit ProBonoPlannerMatch. org and subscribe to CFP Board’s Pro Bono Newsletter, to connect with volunteer opportunities nationwide. It’s more than just numbers: Financial planning is not just about crunching the numbers; it’s also about building strong relationships. Money management is associated with a mix of emotions, and every client comes to the table with their own histories, biases, beliefs and anxieties. To truly help people, financial planners must create a supportive, judgment-free environment, engage in active listening and validate the feelings of their clients. As fiduciaries, CFP® professionals must commit to CFP Board to always act in their clients’ best interests, with honesty, integrity, competence and diligence.

Financial planners can help reduce wealth gaps: A history of housing and banking discrimination in the United States has cre-

Financial planners can help reduce the racial wealth gap by working with diverse clients and seeking to understand how past experiences with financial institutions shape their approach to money management.

Financial planners can help with specialized needs: Many people enter the workforce wanting to help particular groups of people. Whether it’s helping veterans, the elderly, those mourning the loss of loved ones or people living with disabilities, financial planners can tailor their education and training to serve specific populations.

Financial planners can maximize philanthropic efforts: Financial planners have a key responsibility in the world of charitable giving, advising their clients on how to maximize their money to make the biggest impact possible.

To learn more about how financial planning and altruism go hand in hand, visit cfp.net.

Competent, ethical financial advice can have a transformative impact on someone’s life.

Financial planners are helping more Americans achieve secure financial futures.

(c) Castle City Creative / iStock via Getty Images Plus

(c) seb_ra / iStock via Getty Images

Top Scams to Watch Out for This Tax Season

(StatePoint) The days of filing paper tax returns are gone, and criminals are taking advantage. With taxpayers managing their sensitive information online, thieves are finding new ways to scam victims. In 2023 alone, the IRS reported $5.5 billion lost to tax fraud schemes. And the increased prevalence of artificial intelligence means tax scams this year will likely be more sophisticated than ever.

Scammers have an arsenal of weapons, but no matter their tactics, the goal is the same – to have you give them money or access to it. Here are scams to look out for this tax season:

Tax avoidance scams. These scams often promise rewards too good to be true. Scammers claim to have specialized knowledge on exploiting loopholes to avoid taxes or maximize returns. High-income filers are heavily targeted through offers of seemingly legitimate annuities or tax shelters.

Refund scams. In this scam, a criminal will claim to be someone official notifying of an unclaimed or incorrectly calculated refund, prompting the victim to share information – and possibly bank account numbers – to claim it.

Violation scams. This is a fear-based scam, where the criminal poses as an IRS official threatening some punitive action, claiming the victim committed a violation and needs to contact them to resolve the situation.

Filing support scams. Similar to tech support scams, criminals offer to help create IRS accounts to assist with the online filing process. Frequently posing as tax preparers, scammers will go through the motions of gathering the victim’s personal information for tax forms they never intend to file.

Social media scams. Social media serves as a great place for criminals to find potential victims and carry out tax scams, fraudulently claiming to offer different types of services or possessing unique knowledge or access.

Recovery scams. Once a victim is scammed, criminals will try to strike

again – believing the victim is gullible. Exploiting a time of vulnerability, they’ll contact the victim with promises of helping them recover their losses and will leverage this as an opening to commit additional crimes.

While it is not always easy to pick out a scam, here are indicators to watch for:

• Promise of a big pay-out. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Request for your account information. The IRS will never ask for your credit or debit account information over the phone.

• Random contact. The IRS contacts taxpayers by mail first and will never contact via random phone calls or digital means. The IRS will not leave prere-

corded, urgent, or threatening voicemails.

• Demands or threats. The IRS can’t revoke your driver’s license, business licenses or immigration status and cannot threaten to immediately bring in local law enforcement. Taxpayers are allowed an appeals process, so any message of “now or else” won’t come from an official channel.

• Request for you to click a weblink. Odd or misspelled web links can take you to harmful sites instead of IRS.gov.

The IRS recommends these best practices to protect against tax fraud:

• Get an early start. File early so criminals have less time to impersonate you.

• Set up a verified account. Set up your own IRS account before someone else can and use an Identity Protection PIN – a six-digit number known only to you and the IRS.

• Wait for written notice. Do not respond to any supposed communications from the IRS if you haven’t first received official notification through U.S. mail. If you get a call from someone claiming to be the IRS, hang up and call the official number on the website before engaging. Further, never click a link sent digitally as initial contact.

Apply good cyber hygiene. Do not use public Wi-Fi when filing your tax returns. Do use strong passwords, secured network connections and multi-factor authentication. Run all software updates and keep systems current.

If you fall victim to a tax scam, report it to the IRS. For more scam protection tips, visit PNC’s Security & Privacy Center at pnc.com.

One wrong click can cause tremendous damage that ends up earning bad guys a windfall. However, a little caution can go a long way in helping you avoid a costly tax scam.