Warriors Center works to heal those in troubled circumstances
By Lucy Weber
The Warriors Center, with five campuses across the MidSouth helps men and women battling addiction and homelessness find a better life with God’s help.
“A lot of our cases are some of the worst. These are people that others gave up on. We call it a mercy mission because we never give up,” said David Vincent, founder and CEO. “We help through a long-term, faithbased ministry.”
Founded in 1999, the Warriors Center offers a 69-bed facility for men in Memphis, a women’s 44-bed program founded in 2014 in Olive Branch, and a facility for men with 65 beds and for women with 17 beds in Bolivar, TN. There is also a facility in Arkansas.
“I started this program because I came out of a lot of the same problems. I had a troubled youth,” Vincent said.
Knowing that he needed to change his life, Vincent cried out to God. “I said, ‘God, if you change my life, I will help a lot of people,’” he said. “I was given undeserved grace and took that as a sign.”
Vincent began a jail ministry
and volunteered at a rescue ministry. “I turned my pain into purpose.” That work became the Warriors Center.
In the 25 years that the Warriors Center has operated, about 1,800 people have come through the program receiving help, and over 400 have completed the year-long residency program. “Graduating is hard. It’s going to try you.”
“We minister to the mind, body, and spirit,” Vincent
said., adding that the faith-based side is just as important as the alcohol/drug counseling as the mental and physical health services. For those who are broken, addicted or homeless, the program relies on military-like structure so the order and discipline help the men, women and veterans in the program turn their lives around, Vincent said.
“It’s a one-year program because that is long enough to dig into the root causes of addiction. Addiction is numbing some other pain, and this gives us time to work on that.”
Warriors Center also provides “work therapy.” The women’s
centers have thrift stores where they can work, and the men can learn the construction business, heating and air conditioning repairs and plumbing.
Those in the program also help in the local communities through various programs and projects.
“We say not only are you helping yourself but the next man or woman who comes through the door,” Vincent said.
Statistics show that the success rate of those involved in a drug/ alcohol program for 30 days is 2-4 percent; in a six-month program the success rate is 30 percent but in a one-year, faith-based program the success rate leaps to
60-80 percent, Vincent said.
“The one-year model gets you to the place where you are one year sober and you’ve learned to live through your problems.“ Two years after starting the program, our men’s success rate is 65 percent and women’s success rate is 80 percent.”
An after-care program is available to help graduates into school or jobs and help them find affordable housing. “We have 84 graduates who are working for us campuses or in our businesses.”
The Warriors Center recently acquired property in Memphis that will become a 200-bed facility for women who can bring their children with them while they get help for their problems. “This has always been a dream of ours,” Vincent said. The estimated time to get the new facility in operation is about 12-18 months
“Men and women are believing in our program. That’s why we feel God has called us to start another campus.”
For those in need, the program is not difficult to join, Vincent said. “We want to help people in crisis. You’ve got to be sincere about changing and willing to enter a faith-based program.”
To find out more about the Warriors Center or to seek information about joining the program, call 901-598-2377. “That number can direct you to any of our campuses. Additional information can be found at www.warriorscenter.org.
David Vincent, founder and CEO
Editor’s Corner
Jerry
W. Porter CEO/Publisher
PO Box 1292, Corinth, MS 38835-1292
Cell: 662-643-6842
Email: read.newsflash@gmail.com
By Jerry W. Porter
“Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the king’s horses and all the king’s men, Couldn’t put Humpty together again.”
As a child, I thought this nursery rhyme was just a simple tale about a clumsy egg. But as I’ve grown older, I’ve come to realize it’s more than that. It’s a reflection of life. At some point, we all have a great fall—a moment when life breaks us into pieces we can’t put back together on our own.
I know this first hand because I, too, had a great fall. Like Humpty Dumpty, I found myself shattered, with no earthly power able to restore what I had lost. My fall was not physical, but it was just as devastating. It was the kind of
The Fall
fall that leaves you questioning your worth, your purpose, and your ability to ever be whole again.
The world has its own version of “the king’s horses and king’s men.” It offers solutions—money, success, therapy, and advice—but none of it was enough to fix me. The pieces of my life were scattered too far, and I couldn’t see any way forward. I felt hopeless, much like the nursery rhyme’s broken protagonist.
But here’s where my story diverges. Unlike Humpty Dumpty, I found someone who could put me back together again. His name is Jesus. When I hit rock bottom, I cried out to Him. I didn’t know what else to do. And in that moment, He met me in my brokenness. He didn’t look at the shattered pieces of my life and walk away. He didn’t offer a quick fix or superficial solution. Instead, He lovingly gathered every fragment, every jagged edge, and began the process of restoration.
Jesus didn’t just glue me back together; He made me
whole in ways I didn’t think were possible. He gave me peace in the midst of my chaos, hope in my despair, and strength when I was at my weakest. He didn’t just restore what I had lost—He gave me something new, something better.
Falling is a part of life. We all have moments when we lose our footing—whether it’s due to poor choices, unforeseen circumstances, or the weight of our own struggles. The good news is that no fall is too great for Jesus to handle. Where the world’s solutions fall short, His grace and love go beyond.
If you’ve experienced a fall, I want to encourage you: you don’t have to stay broken. Jesus specializes in taking what the world calls irreparable and turning it into something beautiful. He doesn’t just mend broken lives—He transforms them.
Today, I stand as a testament to that truth. I am no longer the broken man I once was. Through Jesus, I found healing, purpose, and a new beginning. My story didn’t
Privately owned and operated
end in shattered pieces, and neither does yours have to.
When life knocks you off the wall, remember this: there’s no fall too great for Jesus to catch. Let Him put you back together again. He did it for me, and Jesus will do it for you too.
Whoo! Whoo! Until next time! All aboard!
Hometown
12 Trivia Questions and Answers About Corinth, MS
1. What is Corinth’s nickname due to its strategic location during the Civil War?
2. In what year was Corinth, MS, officially incorporated?
3. Which two railroads intersected in Corinth, making it a vital location during the Civil War?
4. What Civil War battle took place near Corinth in 1862?
5. What museum in Corinth highlights the city’s role in the Civil War?
6. What is the name of the historic house that served as Confederate headquarters in Corinth?
7. Which church in Corinth served as a hospital during the Civil War?
8. What unique dish is Corinth famous for, made with a mixture of meat and soy grits?
9. What is the name of the cemetery in Corinth where many Civil War soldiers are buried?
10. What creek runs through Corinth and contributed to its early settlement?
11. Which Union general referred to Corinth as “the vertebrae of the Confederacy”?
12. What historic Corinth building served as a Civil War hospital and later became a school?
for the Lord upholds his hand.” Psalm 37:23-24
TAKE THE QUIZ
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.
JANUARY BIBLE TRIVIA
1. What two sinful cities were destroyed by fire and brimstone from heaven?
2. When the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness, what did they follow by night?
3. According to Daniel, this astonishing person had a throne like a fire of flame. Who was he?
4. What did the seraph touch the trembling Isaiah's tongue with?
5. According to Revelation, where is the place reserved for those whose names are not in the Bible of Life?
6. What did the cherubim use to guard the entrance to Eden?
7. How did God first appear to Moses?
8. What strange phenomenon accompanied the plaque of hail in Egypt?
9. What mountain did the Lord descend upon in fire?
10. What two sons of Aaron were devoured by fire for making an improper offering to the Lord?
11. How did God deal with the Israelites who were complaining about their misfortunes in the wilderness?
12. What judge of Israel was visited by an angel, whose staff caused meat and bread to be consumed by fire?
13. How did Elijah respond to an army captain's summons to present himself to King Ahaziah?
14. What two men saw a chariot of fire drawn by horses of fire?
15. Where, in answer to Elijah's prayer, did fire from the Lord consume both the sacrifice and the altar?
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.
December Answers
1. The fire (Deuteronomy 5:24)
2. Samuel (I Samuel 15:22)
3. Matthew (2:18)
4. Daniel (4:14)
5. Revelation (1:15)
6. Saul (I Samuel 26:17, NIV)
7. Laodicea (Revelation 3:20)
8. Peter (Acts 2:14)
9. The witch of Endor (I Samuel 28:12)
10. Jesus' baptism (Matthew 3:17)
11. Samuel (I Samuel 3:3-14)
12. One the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:5)
13. David (2 Samuel 22:7)
14. John (Revelation 6:10)
15. Elijah (I Kings 19:13)
16. The Gadarene demoniac (Mark 5:7)
17. Hezekiah (2 Kings 19:22)
18. Leprosy (Luke 17:13)
19. Elijah (I Kings 19:12)
20. Barabbas (Luke 23:18)
TBefore There Were Words
he Gospel of John begins with this metaphysical equation of God with “the Word,” who it becomes clear shortly thereafter, is Jesus. But the Word that would take on flesh and become Jesus is here being identified with the principle of creation through whom all things were made, and we aren’t necessarily compelled to believe that prior to Jesus’ physical existence it was Jesus who was creating the world, but rather that the Word is the creative aspect of the Godhead which would later take on the physical and historical aspect of Jesus. Jesus is the historical manifestation of the Word, who existed at a particular time and place and with a particular body, but the Word is also the ahistorical and timeless creative part of God which brought the physical universe into being and continues this creative function as the universe continues to unfold. Jesus helps us to understand God and at the same time helps us to see the invisible God in the visible universe.
–Christopher Simon
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. John 1:1-3 NIV
10 Health Recommendations for the New Year
(StatePoint) Looking to improve your health in 2025 and beyond? Check out these recommendations from the American Medical Association:
Make nutritional tweaks: Reduce your intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and processed foods, especially those with added sodium and sugar. Drinking sugary beverages, even 100% fruit juices, is associated with a higher mortality risk, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. Drink water and choose nutritious, whole foods including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, low-fat dairy products, and lean meats and poultry.
Get active: A recent study published in JAMA found that putting down the TV remote and going for a walk can improve healthy aging—highlighting the importance of small everyday habits. Adults should get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity activity.
Get up-to-date: Get your vaccines in advance of respiratory virus season—including the annual flu vaccine and the updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine for everyone six months and older, as well as pregnant people. People 65 and older and those who are moderately or
blood pressure at home, visit ValidateBP.org to see if your device has been tested for accuracy.
Learn your type 2 diabetes risk: Take a 2-minute self-screening test at DoIHavePrediabetes.org. Steps you take now can help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes, which carries a higher risk of heart disease, kidney disease and vision loss.
severely immunocompromised should receive a second dose of the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine six months later.
RSV can be dangerous for older adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend those 75 and older, and 60 and older at high risk for severe RSV, get vaccinated. Immunizations are also available to protect babies from getting very sick from RSV. This is important because RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalization nationwide.
If you have questions, speak with your physician and review trusted resources, including GetMyFluShot.org. You can also reduce the spread of respiratory viruses by covering coughs and sneezes, frequently washing your hands, wearing masks, improving air quality, and staying home if you are sick.
Get screened: Make an appointment for preventive care, tests and screenings to help your doctor spot certain conditions before they become more serious.
Know your blood pressure numbers: Visit ManageYourBP. org to understand your blood pressure numbers and take necessary steps to get hypertension under control. Doing so will reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. If checking your
Drink only in moderation: If consuming alcohol, do so in moderation as defined by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans—up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men, and only by adults of legal drinking age.
Quit tobacco and nicotine: Ask your doctor for resources and guidance for quitting tobacco and nicotine. Declare your home and car smoke-free to eliminate secondhand smoke exposure.
Follow dosage instructions: When taking prescription opioids or other medications, store them safely to prevent diversion or misuse, and properly dispose of any leftover medication. If you’re prescribed antibiotics, take the full course to prevent antibiotic resistance—a serious public health problem.
Manage stress: Good mental health is part of good overall health. Get sufficient sleep (at least 7.5 hours per night), exercise and ask for help from a mental health professional when you need it.
More health resources and tips can be found by visiting ama-assn.org.
“The best way to address the post-holiday doldrums is to do something good for your health,” said Bruce A. Scott, M.D., president of the AMA. “Even small, positive choices you make now can have a big impact on your long-term wellbeing.”
Local NAACP Chapter Awards Scholarships
The Alcorn County Branch of the NAACP awarded two $500 scholarships to seniors, Tetiya Cox and LaDomonic Brown for their exemplary academic achievements. The event was chaired by William Dilworth, Chapter President and Committee Chairman, Bernita Barnett.
Plans
for the New Year?
Time is clearly cyclical in the way that the sun rises and sets at its appointed time each day, just as the phases of the moon keep repeating and the seasons return predictably every year. But no day is like the one that came before it and every year brings new and unexpected surprises. As we celebrate the New Year it’s always wise to look both forward and backwards, as the two-faced god Janus advises, after whom January is named. If history does indeed rhyme, and this includes not just world history but also our own personal history, we should realize that we are often prone to repeating the same mistakes. The value of looking backwards is at least in part to avoid those previous mistakes. And as far as looking forward, this is where it really helps to ask yourself what you value. If God is to be first in your life you need to live in a way that reflects this, and if you love and value your family, you need to show this in the day-to-day aspects of your life, as well as your plans for the future. As with all planning, there is wisdom in reflecting carefully on what you want to do, seeking the advice of others who can help you formulate and carry out your plans, and writing them down. This year can be the best year of your life, but you must actively plan to make that happen.
–Christopher Simon
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
Proverbs 15:22 NIV
(c) Jacob Wackerhausen / iStock via Getty Images Plus
That ‘Free’ Lunch Could Cost Plenty
Those free-lunch seminar scams are still going on. That’s because it’s lucrative for scammers. They want to separate you from your money, and too often they succeed.
The American Association of Retired Persons has released a study on victims of scam seminars and other financial risks to seniors.
The study showed that people who are more likely than the general population to fall for investment scams have the following behaviors: They will listen to sales pitches on the phone, attend promotions where a free night’s stay or a meal is given, provide personal information to salespeople, allow people to come into their home for a sales pitch, read junk mail, not hang up on telemarketers, and call 1-800 numbers to send for free information.
In other words, they’re opening themselves up to being scammed. Even if one of these financial seminars is hosted by your local senior center or another trusted local organization, do your homework in advance. Call the center to ask who checked it out, and how. Go online and do a search for the company’s name. What are their true qualifications? Are they local? See if there are any complaints at the Better Business Bureau.
And if you go to a free lunch seminar (don’t go, but if you do): Don’t fill out any forms that give your personal information. Even giving your telephone number could be a step toward being harassed. They’ll want to visit you at your home, where you’re more vulnerable and have all your financial information handy so they can determine how much you’re worth and decide how to fine tune their approach.
And leave your checkbook at home.
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.
reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus (heartburn) or an abscess on the abdominal side of the diaphragm. However, most of the time, no cause is found. For temporary hiccups, gulping food and simultaneously swallowing air sometimes brings them on. So can carbonated beverages.
Shoveling Snow Is Hard on Heart
DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My husband is 73. I am sure he’s going to die this winter. He insists on shoveling our snow, and we have lots of it. He says it’s good for him; it gives him exercise. This from a man whose other exercise consists of popping open a beer can. He comes in after he’s cleared the walk, puffing and exhausted. Please talk some sense into him. — M.L.
ANSWER: After every snowstorm, city emergency rooms fill with older men who have had a heart attack after cleaning their snow-covered walks. Snow shoveling is strenuous exercise. It burns 420 calories an hour. The heart rate of a shoveler rises to 170 beats a minute, and the systolic blood pressure (the first number of a reading) exceeds 200. Of course, the demand depends on the depth and weight of the snow. Older hearts cannot support such stress.
In addition to the work of shoveling, cold weather adds more demands on the heart. Unless a man your husband’s age has had medical clearance for such exhausting exercise, he is tempting fate. ***
DEAR DR. DONOHUE: A friend has a case of constant hiccups. Can you suggest any possible cures? — P.W.
ANSWER: Hiccups come from involuntary contractions of the diaphragm, the horizontal muscle sheet that lies between the chest and the abdomen. It is the principal breathing muscle. Sometimes persistent contractions can be traced to gallbladder problems, diseases of the pancreas,
Through the years readers have provided me with hundreds of home remedies for dealing with hiccups, and I welcome new additions. Swallowing a teaspoon of sugar irritates the throat, which sets in motion a reflex that can end hiccups. Breathing into a paper bag raises the blood carbon-dioxide level, which, in turn, raises blood acidity, and that triggers a release of calcium. Calcium can spark nerve signals to stop hiccups. Putting angostura bitters on the back of the tongue is another sometimes-successful trick. Hiccups that last longer than 48 hours aren’t likely to respond to home remedies. Medicines have to be turned to. Chlorpromazine, omeprazole, metoclopramide and baclofen are often successfully used. In cases that are resistant to medicine treatment and that are disrupting a person’s life, doctors can interrupt, in a number of ways, the transmission of nerve signals conducted to the diaphragm by the phrenic nerve.
***
DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am 34 and have been jogging for 10 years. I do it year-round. I’ve noticed this winter that my knees feel stiff before I run. They don’t hurt during the run or after. Could this be a sign that I’m getting arthritis?
— B.C.
ANSWER: It’s not likely that at age 34 you’re coming down with arthritis. It’s more likely a weather thing. Cold weather thickens joint fluid. That makes joints stiff. Warming the fluid by exercise relieves the stiffness.
***
Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.
True Wealth and the Art of Living
By Francine Papadimitrakis
There once was an Athenian historian of ancient times. His name was Xenophon, and his words resonate throughout time.“I believe it is not in their houses that people have wealth or poverty, but in their souls.”
In many cultures, including ours, most pursue happiness in objects, in things: big houses, fancy cars, clothes with branded labels, and the such. The thing is, this is not true wealth, and the “joy” one feels when attaining these things is only temporary. Oftentimes we become enslaved to these things and slowly become soul sick.
In my travels throughout the world, I have discovered and met some of the wealthi-
city and returned home for the holiday.
The rich man wanted to show his son how rich he was. But his son wasn’t interested in any luxurious lifestyles. However, the man wanted to make his son realize that his lifestyle was extremely rich and that the poor people suffered a lot. So he planned a day’s visit to the entire town.
The father and son took a chariot and visited the entire town. They returned home in two days. The father was happy that his son was quiet after seeing the poor people suffering. So he asked, “Dear son, how was the trip? Did you enjoy it?” "Yes, Dad, it was lovely,” replied his son. Then he asked him what he had learned from the trip.
In Loving Memory of President Jimmy Carter
Celebrating a life of unwavering service, compassion, and faith. As the 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter championed human rights, peace, and democracy. Beyond the presidency, he continued his legacy through tireless humanitarian efforts, building homes, eradicating diseases, and promoting hope worldwide.
His humble spirit, Nobel Prize-winning vision, and dedication to others remain an inspiration.
Rest in peace, President Carter. Your light continues to shine in the hearts of millions.
The Carter Legacy: A Life Well Lived. October 1, 1924 - December 29, 2024
est people who lived in humble homes and wore clothing that was unbranded. They were simple people, living simple lives. They were happy in their wealth: their simple abundance, their gratitude, their freedom, their family, their friends, their community, and their humble and beautiful lives.
The lesson for us all is that true wealth is within us and not outside of us. Thank you, Xenophon, for your wise words that are more true today than they were when you wrote them. And now a short story written and shared by Sandy Jain.
Once upon a time, there lived a very rich and wealthy man in a big city. He led a luxurious life. He always boasted about his wealth to his friends and relatives. His son was studying in a distant
The son was silent. The father expressed that he was happy that his son had realized how the poor people actually lived and suffered. "No,” replied the son. Then he said, “We have two dogs; they have ten. We have a big pool and garden, but they have a massive bay with no end. We have expensive lights, but they have endless stars to light their nights. We have a house on a small piece of land, but they have abundant fields that go beyond the horizon. We are protected by huge walls, but they surround themselves with each other. We have to buy food, but they are so rich that they can cultivate their own.
The father was stunned and speechless upon hearing his son’s words. Finally, the son said, “Thank you, father, for showing me who is rich and who is poor."
Americans Prioritize Giving, Even When
Squeezed by Economic Uncertainty
(StatePoint) A new study reveals Americans’ relationship with charitable giving. While generosity is a core value for three-quarters of Americans, economic concerns have caused some to tighten their purse strings. Nevertheless, many Americans are open to advice for how they can prioritize philanthropy.
In a new national survey from Wells Fargo, 29% of Americans report that they have given less to charity this year compared to last and 51% feel they don’t have enough money to give to charity at all.
Even so, 67% of Americans reported giving something in the past year, with 54% saying they give to charity even though they don’t have a lot of extra money. The study found that economic concern is a significant factor in declined giving, with 52% of Americans reporting that their reduced giving is a direct result of the current economy.
“The data shows us that the pinch of rising costs is driving a moral dilemma. Many Americans are in a standoff between what they want to do and what they can do,” says Stephanie Buckley, head of Trust Philanthropic Services with Wells Fargo Wealth & Investment Management.
Despite this dilemma, the study reveals that among the two in three Americans who made a charitable donation this year, 53% still report giving the same amount to charity as last year and another 19% report giving more. In fact, 60% of these Americans are so committed to their giving that they list charity as part of their budget and 24% will go as far as to defer their own financial needs in order to give.
Happiness Drives Giving
Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Serve Others, Spread Love
Driving factors of American giving are largely altruistic. The most common motivations cited are that it makes them happy, it aligns with their personal values, and because they have a personal connection to a cause. Comparatively, financial benefits have very little to do with it, with only 10% of Americans giving for tax deduction purposes.
“There is a mistaken belief that many people give for selfish reasons, particularly among the affluent. In actuality, no matter the level of wealth, giving tends to almost always be driven by wanting to make an impact, “says Buckley. “In fact, anonymous giving continues to be a rising trend.”
Givers Want to Be Strategic
While 52% of Americans don’t get any advice about charitable giving, 57% want to be more strategic about it—a sentiment that could be amplified by the fact that almost half of Americans report being bombarded with donation requests. Philanthropic experts warn that not having a plan can lead to a “smear the peanut butter” approach, where you write checks and donate without thinking about how it aligns to what’s really important to you. Information about intentional giving can be found by visiting wellsfargo.com.
“Whether you are giving money, time or talent, having a plan can block out some of the noise and help ensure you give with intention,” says Buckley.
Wells Fargo Wealth & Investment Management (WIM) provides financial products and services through various bank and brokerage affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company. This paid advertisement was written by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Wells Fargo
Dr. King taught us that "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?" This MLK Day, let’s turn those words into action. Set January 20th aside to volunteer. Simply lend a hand to help lift the spirit of others.
Together, we can honor Dr. King's legacy by building a world filled with justice, kindness, and equality. Serve others, make a difference, and let love lead the way.
Celebrate. Serve. Transform.
(c) Jacob Wackerhausen / iStock via Getty Images Plus
NEWS FLASH Kids Zone
Be a Tailgating Legend This Football Season
(StatePoint) It’s tailgating season and whether you’re gathering in your backyard or in the stadium parking lot, you know that some of the best times happen in the hours leading up to the game, especially when there are tasty bites in the mix.
Helping you elevate your favorite tailgating recipes and cook up your best memories of the football season is Michael Duarte, the digital creator and food influencer behind FoodWithBearHands and a MVP on the Bear Mountain BBQ team. Both recipes he’s sharing incorporate Bear Mountain BBQ’s 100% natural hardwood pellets, which work with any grill or smoker to craft a real smoke flavor that will amplify any meal.
The first recipe is for Cheesesteak Jalapeño Poppers, and Duarte warns this legendary game day recipe is one your friends and family will remember you for.
Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Cook Time: 1 Hour
Servings: 10
Ingredients:
• 10 jalapeños
• 1 pound ribeye, sliced thin
• 10 slices of bacon
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
• 4 slices of mozzarella
• 4 slices of provolone
• 1 ounce Worcestershire sauce
• 3 tablespoons BBQ rub
• Salt and pepper
• Bear Mountain BBQ Chophouse Blend Pellets
Instructions:
1. Slice your jalapeños length-wise and remove
the seeds, set aside.
2. Sauté onion and bell peppers in a skillet on medium heat, adding 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce.
3. When caramelized, remove the veggies and add in the thinly sliced ribeye. Pro tip: To get thinner slices, freeze ribeye for 1 hour to firm.
4. Sear on medium to high heat and add the veggies back in, plus 4 slices of mozzarella and 4 slices of provolone until the cheese is melted.
5. Add mixture to your jalapeño slices, wrap with bacon and top with your favorite BBQ rub.
6. Place on wire rack and into your smoker at 375 degrees F for 1 hour. Remove when your bacon is nice and crispy and enjoy your game day appetizer!
For the ultimate snack to go along with a cold beer, try this recipe for Sweet & Spicy Bacon Wrapped Hot Pockets.
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 45 Minutes
Servings: 6-8
Ingredients:
• 1 box of Pepperoni Pizza Hot Pockets
• 1 pack of bacon
• Honey
comfort comfortjust just got an gotan upgrade! upgrade!
• 1 jalapeño – sliced
• Derek Wolf | Big Bad BBQ Ale - Spiceology
• Bear Mountain BBQ Chef's Choice Blend Pellets
Instructions:
1. Preheat your grill to 350 degrees F with Bear Mountain BBQ Chef’s Choice pellets.
2. Wrap each frozen Hot Pocket in a slice of thin bacon and place on a wire rack.
3. Drizzle honey over the Hot Pockets and place jalapeño slices on top.
4. Dust your Hot Pockets with Derek Wolf | Big Bad BBQ Ale - Spiceology or other BBQ rub.
5. Smoke for 45 minutes or until bacon is nice and crispy.
6. When done, top with more honey and enjoy!
For elevated game time grub, put Bear Mountain BBQ on your team roster this season. Both blends Duarte used are available exclusively at Walmart. To learn more about what real smoke flavor can do for your grilling game, and for more game day recipes, from chili to pizza, visit bearmountainbbq.com.
“Whether you’re all about college ball or you’re an NFL mega fan, kicking off each game with amazing barbecue is always easy with the right ingredients in play,” says Bear Mountain BBQ’s Levi Strayer.
• The end of the year is a great time to pick up next year’s holiday decorations at a discount. Before you pack away your holiday lights, ornaments, cards, etc., do an inventory and see if you are able to find what you need to complete your look at a slashed price.
• Computer grocery lists can make not only shopping easier, but organization as well. Keep a file listing all the items you usually purchase from week to week. You even can create sections based on where certain items are located throughout the store. This will ensure that you don’t miss something, necessitating a return trip to the store. Stay organized to save money.
• “Keep a small package of antibacterial wipes in your car to clean your hands after pumping gas. Not only is there any potential gas to get off your hands, but those handles don’t get cleaned often, and are very dirty.”
— R.D. in South Carolina
• “If you have extra papers that are printed only on one side, save them. You can cut them in quarters and staple several sheets together to make scrap-paper pads to keep near the telephone or on the fridge. They are handy, and you’ll be reusing material, which is good for the environment.”
— U.L. in Missouri
• Putting up new calendars? Before you toss your old one, be sure to look through it for important anniversaries, and cut out and save any pictures or art that might be reusable for craft projects.
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.
By Samantha Weaver
• It was American journalist and satirist Ambrose Bierce who made the following sage observation: “There is nothing new under the sun but there are lots of old things we don’t know.”
• Those who study such things say that when a ladybug is frightened, it squirts a foul-smelling goo from its knees.
• You might be surprised to learn that approximately 40 percent of the oxygen in the world’s atmosphere is provided by the verdant plant growth of South America’s Amazon River basin.
• Mayan artwork dating back as far as 700 A.D. shows people preparing chocolate beverages. Chocolate was so valued by the natives of the Americas, the Maya even used cacao beans as currency.
• For reasons that aren’t quite clear, in 1960 Macy’s department store introduced a vending machine that dispensed men’s underwear. After an initial flurry of shoppers coming to see the new contraption, the machine was doomed to obscurity due to lack of interest.
• Here’s a question for the ladies: Are you a philematophobe? If you’re a woman who hates to be kissed, you are.
• In 1958, then-Vice President Richard Nixon made a state visit to Venezuela. It seems he wasn’t terribly popular there, and one of the protesters spit on him. The Secret Service detained the man, and an irate Nixon kicked him in the shins.
• Only about 37 percent of the newspapers published in the Unites States are recycled.
• The next time you’re thinking about getting a new pet, consider this: Animal behaviorists say that a puppy can’t hold a memory for more than 45 seconds.
• Researchers at Yale University have determined that people think more efficiently in the winter than in the summer.
***
Thought for the Day: “A bore is a man who deprives you of solitude without providing you with company.” — Gian Vincenzo Gravina
Memorable Main Dishes Made in 30 Minutes or Less
(StatePoint) Fifty-one percent of families find it challenging to get new ideas for meal planning. If you’re like most Americans and stuck in a recipe rut, or you’re often tired when it’s time to prepare dinner and want something fast and easy, it’s time to expand your repertoire of go-to meals that you can make in 30 minutes or less.
Here to inspire more flavor variety is McCormick. The brand’s more than 40 dry Recipe Mixes—which are single-use spice packets—can help you create quick, convenient meals with the perfect combination of seasonings—from homestyle classics like chili and meatloaf to flavors from around the world like gyros and stir fry. To give weeknight meals new life in minutes, check out recipes from the brand:
Tender and Juicy Chicken
Tired of dry, flavorless chicken? This recipe for Garlic Ranch Crunchy Chicken is tender and juicy on the inside and crispy-crunchy on the outside. Requiring just 5 minutes of prep, it makes for a low effort but memorable main dish any night of the week.
Ingredients:
• 1 package McCormick Garlic Ranch Crunchy Chicken Seasoning Mix
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 4 boneless chicken breasts, about 1/2 to 1-inch thickness (about 1 3/4 pounds)
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place chicken on a large foil-lined sheet pan sprayed with no-stick cooking spray.
2. Brush top of chicken breasts with mayonnaise. Coat top of chicken breasts with Seasoning Mix, pressing lightly to adhere.
3. Bake for 20 minutes or until cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165 degrees F).
Test kitchen tips: Try substituting BBQ sauce or a mixture of mayonnaise and hot sauce or sour cream in place of mayonnaise.
For the air fryer: Preheat to 360 degrees F for 3 minutes. Place chicken, coating-side up, in a single layer in the air fryer. Air fry 10 to 12 minutes or until cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165 degrees F).
Taco Night Twist
There is no such thing as a bad taco,
but if you’re bored and want a twist on your standard taco night, McCormick has you covered. Inspired by the flavor of the popular Mexican street food, elotes, these insanely delicious Mexican Style Street Corn Tacos can be made in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients:
• 1 package McCormick Mexican Style Street Corn Taco Seasoning Mix, divided
• 2 tablespoons oil, divided
• 1 cup corn, fresh, frozen or canned (drained)
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1-pound boneless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
• 1/2 cup water
• 8 (6-inch) corn or flour tortillas, warmed
• Optional toppings: Cotija cheese, cilantro, avocado and lime wedges
Instructions:
1. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add corn; cook and stir for 3 minutes or until heated through. Stir in 1 tablespoon of the Seasoning Mix. Transfer to a small bowl. Stir in mayonnaise; set aside.
2. Heat remaining oil in the same skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook and stir for 3 minutes. Stir in remaining Seasoning Mix and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 3 to 5 minutes until chicken is cooked through, stirring occasionally.
3. Spoon chicken into warm tortillas. Top with corn mixture and serve with desired toppings.
For more recipes and flavor inspiration, visit mccormick.com.
You don’t have to resort to the same humdrum meals again and again. Using the right ingredients, easy-to-prepare dishes will become new family favorites.
White Chocolate Cheesecake
If you’re celebrating the New Year with a party, be sure to include this scrumptious cheesecake on the menu. It looks as festive as it tastes.
2 (8-ounce) packages fat-free cream cheese
1 (4-serving) package sugarfree instant white-chocolate pudding mix
2/3 cup nonfat dry milk powder
1 cup water
1 cup reduced-calorie whipped topping
1 (6-ounce) purchased chocolate pie crust
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
4 to 5 drops red food coloring
1 tablespoon slivered almonds
1 tablespoon mini chocolate chips
3 maraschino cherries, quartered
1. In a large bowl, stir cream cheese with a spoon until soft. Add dry pudding mix, dry milk powder and water. Mix well using wire whisk. Blend in 1/4 cup whipped topping. Spread mixture evenly into pie crust. Refrigerate while preparing topping.
2. In medium bowl, gently combine remaining 3/4 cup whipped topping, almond extract and food coloring. Evenly spread topping mixture over set filling. Sprinkle almonds, chocolate chips and cherry pieces evenly over top. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes. Serves 8.
• Each serving equals: About 206 calories, 6g fat, 11g protein, 27g carb., 641mg sodium, 1g fiber; Diabetic Exchanges: 1 1/2 Starch, 1 Meat, 1 Fat.
Stovetop Chili
A quick weeknight chili that’s packed with buttery black soy beans, tender-crisp green beans and meltin-your-mouth sweet potatoes. Serve with a chunk of warm corn bread.
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
2 cloves garlic, crushed with garlic press
1 jalapeno chile, seeded and minced
1 can (28 ounces) whole tomatoes in juice
1/2 pound green beans, trimmed and each cut crosswise in half
3 (about 1 1/2 pounds) medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks
1 teaspoon sugar
1 salt
2 cans (15 ounces) black soy beans, rinsed and drained, substitute black beans
Sour cream (optional)
1. In nonstick 5-quart to 6-quart Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat until hot. Add onion and cook 10 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally.
2. Add chili powder, cumin, coriander, garlic and jalapeno, and cook 1 minute, stirring. Add tomatoes with their juice, green beans, sweet potatoes, sugar, salt and 2 cups water; heat to boiling over medium-high heat, breaking up tomatoes with side of spoon.
3. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 25 minutes or until sweet potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally. Add soybeans and cook 2 minutes longer to heat through. Serve with sour cream, if you like.
• Each serving: About 275 calories, 5g total fat (1g saturated), 0mg cholesterol, 635mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate, 11g dietary fiber, 14g protein.
For thousands of triple-tested recipes, visit our website at www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipefinder/.
1. LANGUAGE: From what language are all the modern Romance languages derived?
2. SCIENCE: What term describes the lowest point in a satellite orbiting the Earth?
3. HISTORY: When did Labor Day become a federal holiday in the United States?
4. INVENTIONS: What was Eli Whitney’s most famous invention?
5. GOVERNMENT: In what year was the U.S. Constitution ratified?
6. GEOGRAPHY: What nation calls itself Espana in its native tongue?
7. ANCIENT WORLD: Where did the Minoan culture flourish?
8. POETRY: Who wrote the poem called “The Waste Land”?
9. MUSIC: What Beatles’ album features the songs “Rocky Raccoon” and “Helter Skelter”?
10. MEASUREMENTS: How many pints are in a quart?
Answers
1. Latin
2. Perigee
3. 1894
4. Cotton gin
5. 1789
6. Spain
7. Crete
8. T.S. Eliot
9. “The Beatles” (The White Album) 10. Two
1. In 2009, Philadelphia’s Chase Utley became the second player to hit five home runs in a World Series. Who was the first?
2. Who was the oldest player to steal a base in the major leagues?
3. Name the first college football Division I player to have 1,500 yards rushing and 1,500 yards passing in the same season.
4. In the 2009-10 season, Sacramento guard Tyreke Evans became the fourth rookie in NBA history to average at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists per game. Name two of the first three to do it.
5. Entering the 2011-12 season, how many times had Jaromir Jagr tallied 40-plus goals in an NHL season?
6. Northwestern has won the women’s lacrosse national championship six times in the past seven seasons (2005-11). Name the only other school to win a title during that time.
7. Who was the first mixed martialarts fighter to win major titles in two weight classes?
Answers
1. Reggie Jackson of the New York Yankees, in 1977.
2. Arlie Latham was 49 years old when he stole a base for the 1909 New York Giants.
3. Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson, in 2010.
4. Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
5.
6.
7. Randy Couture.
Six times.
Maryland beat Northwestern in 2010.
Helping Children Develop Healthy Device and Media Habits
(StatePoint) What are TikTok’s privacy settings? Can parents control what advertising their children see on Facebook? How do parents limit the amount of time their children spend on Instagram?
A new parent tool, the Glossary of Digital Media Platforms, offers the answers and will be handy for parents of children trying out new phones or other tech-related holiday gifts. The American Academy of Pediatrics Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health developed the free resource, which contains detailed information on popular digital platforms, including Apple, Discord, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, TikTok and X, with more to come.
“Parenting around media can be so challenging,” said Jenny Radesky, MD, FAAP, co-medical director of the Center of Excellence. “Figuring out what apps and settings are best for your family is an important part of the conversation. At the center, we created the Glossary of Digital Media Platforms to make it a little easier for parents to learn about each app and figure out what settings and tools exist to keep their kid safe while connecting online.”
Users click on a platform to learn about its default and customizable safety settings; messaging and friending controls; screentime management settings; parental controls and more.
Parents aren’t the only ones looking for assistance when it comes to the online world. Pediatric providers, teachers and others who work with children and teens can introduce the glossary briefly during clinic
visits, back-to-school nights, in newsletters, or other communications and encourage families to have conversations about safe and balanced relationships with social media. The tool can also facilitate conversations on concepts like private versus public accounts, time limits and how to block or filter upsetting content.
Here are some examples of how the glossary can be used:
• If children have iPhones, parents can learn more about the Family Sharing feature, which includes settings to limit who a child can contact, downtime/do-not-disturb settings and the Ask To Buy option that requires a parent to approve purchases.
• If social media and notifications are distracting teens at night, families can use the glossary to look up apps and how to silence notifications or activate other nighttime settings.
• For teens who are stressed out by negative content on social media feeds, the glossary contains information on tools to curate feeds and block and filter content.
• If a child’s school has a phone policy, families can look up device or app settings to silence distracting apps during school hours.
The glossary joins a roster of resources available at Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health, which includes conversation starters for parents concerned about how their children are using social media. The center’s activity cards can help young children build healthy relationships with media and their devices before they grow into teens and young adults.
Megan Moreno MD, MSEd, MPH, FAAP, co-medical director of the Center of Excellence, urges parents and other adults to avoid taking a doom-and-gloom approach when talking about the sometimes-dangerous social media landscape with kids.
“We can give ourselves grace for these initial reactions of worry and fear, but we have a choice to make on what we want our reaction to be going forward,” Dr. Moreno said. “We can choose open-mindedness. We can choose curiosity. We can choose evidence over hype, and we can stay centered on our children and families.”
TECHNOLOGY
Anyone Can Be a Victim of a Cybercrime. Here’s What to Know
(StatePoint) Even the most skilled cybersecurity expert can fall prey to today’s incredibly sophisticated phishing attempts.
Phishing can take place in a variety of ways, but recognizing these “lures” is a powerful way to defang cybercriminals:
Phishing: Traditional phishing comes in the form of a fraudulent email that encourages recipients to click on a link and provide personal data. Often the subject lines are designed to entice the receiver with an interesting headline, timely topic or urgent request.
Smishing: An attacker sends a text prompting the recipient to click a link or call a number for more information. If the link is clicked, the user downloads malicious software to their phone.
Vishing: An attacker uses the telephone–or voice–to gain access to sensitive information for financial gain. The criminal usually poses as someone they are not, such as another employee, technical support person or someone representing a government agency.
Quishing: An attacker creates a fake QR code and uses it to direct victims to a malicious website that prompts them to enter their personal or financial information.
Ultimately, the easiest way for a cybercriminal to steal your information is to trick you into sharing it. Their fraudulent communications will often look official and appear to have come from a trusted source. However, there are warning signs to watch out for. Pause and ask yourself the following questions before responding:
Do you know the person who sent you the message? The source of an email or text can easily be forged, making it seem that a request is coming from someone you know. If something seems off or if the sender is asking for money or personal information, contact them through a different channel than the original message to confirm the
message came from them.
Does the message create a sense of urgency? Criminals will often try to rush you into making an unwise decision. An example of such a message may read, “confirm your login details in the next 24 hours using the link below or your account will be suspended.” Always take the time necessary to think through your response and confirm legitimacy.
Does the offer seem too good to be true? Treat any messages announcing you’ve won money, a prize or the opportunity to purchase an item at a significant discount as suspicious.
Does the message ask you to click on a link or open an attachment? Be particularly wary of emails from people or organizations you don’t know urging you to click on a link or open an attachment. Doing so can lead to malware being installed on your device.
Does the telephone call ask for personal or financial account information? If you receive a call that just doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts. Hang up and call the customer service line from their official company website.
Does the message ask you to scan a QR code? As QR codes become more common in daily transactions, utilize these tips when scanning a code:
• First, check to determine that the QR code has not been tampered with, such as a sticker placed on top of the original code.
• Check the URL to make sure the code is sending you to the intended site and that the site looks authentic. Look for typos or misplaced letters.
• Exercise caution when entering information on a site accessed via a QR code and avoid making payments; manually enter a secure URL to complete a payment.
• Do not download an app from a QR code. Instead, search for the app via your device's app store.
• If you receive a QR code from someone you know, reach out to them through a known number or address to verify that they sent you the code.
To learn more about cybersecurity best practices, visit PNC Bank’s Security & Privacy Center at pnc.com.
Don’t assume your tech savviness will protect you from today’s cybercrimes. In the face of increasingly sophisticated scams, an ounce of prevention can go a long way in helping you to protect yourself.
(c) stockphotodirectors / iStock via Getty Images Plus
(c) eternalcreative / iStock via Getty Images Plus
