Issuu

Periodical postage (ISSN 1052 2433)

News for members of 4-County Electric Power Association

The house of 6,000 Santas

Admiration for two men of the bush

Recipes to shake up deer camp cookery

Today in Mississippi

November / December 2018

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November / December 2018

Today in Mississippi

OUR HOMEPLACE

‘Tis the season to celebrate the special joys in our lives eady, set go! The holiday rush is officially underway. The next several weeks will be a blur of busyness for many folks. There are family gatherings to plan, shopping to do, errands to run and special dishes to prepare—all on top of our daily routines of work, school and kids’ activities. At my house, my wife and I will have the annual “discussion” about whose holiday decorating style will win out: my over-the-top lights and tinsel versus her more restrained, traditional approach. The way I see it, this time of year is as much about fun as it is reverent. I know everyone under the age of 12 is with me on this. We parents, however, set the stage for our children’s perspectives and expectations of the holiday season. Our attitudes and behavior during My Opinion the holidays say to them, Michael Callahan “This is what it’s all about.” Executive Vice President/CEO Are we conscious of the mesElectric Cooperatives of Mississippi sages we’re sending? Are we too stressed out to keep things merry and bright? Even as my own three youngsters are not so young anymore, I hope it’s not too late for me to influence their thinking. These are a few things I hope they’ve picked up from our own family holiday traditions: • Thanksgiving is all about gratitude. Not food, football, hunting or shopping, as wonderful as these things are. Thanksgiving is a time to pause, reflect on the good things in our lives and give thanks to God. No matter who you are or what you believe in, this is

On the cover Santa may have a home at the North Pole but Linda Secovich finds him in flea markets and thrift shops throughout south Mississippi. She and her mother, Norma Jean Clinton, have amassed a collection of some 6,000 Santas. See a few of them in our story on page 4.

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a special day of reverence above all else. • Giving to others is one of the best ways to express gratitude, not only during the holidays but year-round. Charitable giving makes a huge impact on the well-being of a society, from alleviating hunger to disaster relief. I want my children to grow up to be generous in spirit as well as actions. While I pray they will never experience hardship, I hope they will never take their quality of life for granted. • The “success” of a family’s Christmas celebration is not dependent on material things. While we certainly want to please our children with gifts as best we can, maybe we should try to dilute the focus on materialism. For Christians, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, above all else. Then there are the outdoor lighting displays and decorations, the living nativities, the uplifting songs you hear only this time of year, downtown parades and little gifts of appreciation for, say, a teacher or a neighbor. I’d like to close by offering some unsolicited advice to all youngsters: Put the phone down at family holiday gatherings and talk with your relatives, especially those you rarely see. These folks probably have a lot of stories to share and would love to hear what’s going on in your life. Have real conversations, ask questions and share some laughs. Hug back when hugged. Show appreciation for gifts and food. Be thankful you have a life filled with people who love you. I hope your holiday season is joyful, fulfilling and meaningful. Have a happy Thanksgiving and a merry Christmas!

Today in Mississippi OFFICERS Randy Smith - President Keith Hayward - First Vice President Kevin Bonds - Second Vice President Eddie Howard - Secretary/Treasurer EDITORIAL STAFF Michael Callahan - CEO Ron Stewart - Sr. VP, Communications Mark Bridges - Manager, Support Services Debbie H. Stringer - Editor Elissa Fulton - Communications Specialist Rickey McMillan - Graphics Specialist Chris Alexander - Administrative Assistant Kevin Wood - Graphics Specialist

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EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING • 601-605-8600 Acceptance of advertising by Today in Mississippi does not imply endorsement of the advertised product or services by the publisher or Mississippi’s electric power associations. Product satisfaction and delivery responsibility lie solely with the advertiser. The publisher (and/or its agent) reserves the right to refuse or edit all advertising. • National advertising representative: American MainStreet Publications 800-626-1181 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Today in Mississippi, P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158-3300 Circulation of this issue: 438,721

The Official Publication of the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi Today in Mississippi is brought to you by your member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative to inform you about your cooperative and its various services, including wise energy use. If you are not a member of a subscribing cooperative, you can purchase a subscription for $9.50 per year. Today in Mississippi (ISSN 1052-2433) is published 11 times a year (Jan.-Nov.) by Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi Inc., P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158-3300, or 665 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland, MS 39157. Phone 601-605-8600. Periodical postage paid at Ridgeland, MS, and additional office.

Mississippi is Oh, I can remember when... Gathering eggs still warm from the hen Sitting in Uncle Frank’s swing Listening to the mockingbird sing Watching the leaves fall with every little breeze Chores all done, taking my ease Yellow Sulphurs flitting about Hearing the cicada announcing, “I’m coming out” Watching the clouds darken to the south Hoping for a little rain, but not too much to flood us out. This is my Mississippi! – Norma Savage, Moss Point

What’s Mississippi to you? What do you treasure most about life in our state? Send your thoughts to Today in Mississippi, P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158, or to news@ecm.coop. Please keep your comments brief. Submissions are subject to editing for length and clarity.

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Today in Mississippi

November / December 2018

THE HOUSE OF

Santas (and counting)

By Debbie Stringer What does Santa Claus really look like? Is he a tubby old man in wire-rim glasses or a saxophoneblowing hipster? A kindly father figure or a bearded biker? These are but a few of the 6,000 interpretations of Santa (and Mrs. Claus) collected for decades by Dixie Electric Power Association member Linda Secovich and her mother, Norma Jean Clinton. Clinton, who loves to “junk” at thrift shops, purchased her first Santa “too far back to remember,” she said. “I’m pretty sure my first one came from a junk shop.” The collection eventually outgrew her house “so she boxed them up and brought them here,” Secovich said, referring to the home she shares with husband Charlie in Covington County. The collection remained packed away until the couple’s children left home. Then Charlie built shelves in a spare bedroom and out came the Santas. The items are grouped according to theme or function. There are patriotic, collegiate, nostalgic, singing and dancing, golfer, hunter, cowboy, comic book and snow skier Santas, to name a few.

Nestled among the figurines are Santa-themed jewelry items, baby rattlers, flashlights, mugs, candles, kitchen ware, slippers, dog clothing, buttons, music boxes, outdoor decorations, even bathroom accessories. Most are mass-produced items, the kind that begin filling stores before Halloween. But some are one-ofa-kind, made by skilled hands. “The handmades are my favorite,” Secovich said, referring to the Santa images painted on crab shells, sand dollars, gourds and cypress knees; carved in wood; stitched into quilts; and crocheted into soft toys. A favorite figurine of this retired high school geometry teacher is her teacher Santa, standing before a class of pint-size Santa students seated at tiny desks. Some of the Santas sing or rap and swing their hips, to the delight of Secovich’s four grandchildren. One Santa takes a spin in a red lowrider. Romantic Santa smooches with Mrs. Claus, and devout Santa cradles baby Jesus in his arms. Strings of Santa-shaped lights and a Christmas

“I say my husband hunts deer and I hunt Santas.” – Linda Secovich

Linda Secovich holds two vintage Santas from the collection. tree sprinkled with Santa ornaments complete the festive year-round display. And it just keeps growing. Secovich and her mother still enjoy scouring flea markets and thrift stores together in search of secondhand Santas. “That’s where you find the most unusual ones,” Secovich said. She is frugal in her purchases, while her husband tends to splurge; he sprang for the brand-new biker and lowriding Santas as gifts for his wife. And he’s likely responsible for the camo-clad Santa. “I say my husband hunts deer and I hunt Santas,” Secovich said.

November / December 2018 I Today in Mississippi

Linda Secovich, right, and her mother, Norma Jean Clinton, have collected Santa and Mrs. Claus figures and decorations for some 35 years. The entire 6,000-piece collection fills a spare room at the Secovich house. Mother and daughter hold a whole-cloth Santa quilt hand stitched by Clinton.

Today in Mississippi

November / December 2018

Season’s festivities light up communities It's the time of the year when the sun sets earliest and the nights are longest and darkest. Inverness is just one of the communities spreading holiday light with some festive events. I suppose we could let our own brighter sides shine a little more, too. Might go better for us when Santa visits if we did. Photo: Walt Grayson

s. Jo was afraid I wouldn’t be able to stay awake driving because I was taking antihistamine. So when I went to Inverness to speak at their Chamber of Commerce “Person of the Year” banquet recently, she sent granddaughter Emily Ann along to make sure I stayed awake. It really was a delight riding with Emily. When she was just a little child she went with me all over the place doing stories for TV. But Mississippi then teenage Seen years hit and they get their by Walt Grayson own lives and you hardly see them again. But we had a couple of hours each way to recall our greatest adventures from her childhood, and also to talk over almost-grown-up stuff she’s going through as a freshman in college. We made it to the banquet early enough so I could visit with folks a bit. Emily got a glass of sweet tea and found our seats at the table. After a while I joined her. When I sat down she pointed to a gentleman across the room and said he had just paid her a compliment. He told her that she was the first teenager he had seen in a long time who politely sat at a table without fiddling with their cell phone. I noticed that she didn’t have her phone out. So I complimented her too on being mature enough to patiently visit with people and not rudely have her

head bent over and her thumbs flying across a keyboard flipping from app to app and sending texts to a hundred people. Emily sort of let the corners of her mouth curl up a bit as she giggled and admitted, “I don’t have any bars.” Inverness is planning a couple of Christmas events including “Follow the Star,” which is a walk-through-the-streets live nativity play, on Dec. 1 and 2. It reminds me of the outdoor “Passion Play” that First Methodist of Kosciusko does every Easter in downtown Kosciusko. One item of Chamber of Commerce business discussed before the awarding of the Person of the Year was who, how and when the luminaries would be set out and lit Christmas Eve on the main street and on down to the bayou. It is refreshing to see a community being a community, especially doing fun things during the holidays when life is supposed to be fun anyway. And when it is less than fun, other folks will put out enough decorations to make it colorful, at least. I remember our annual holiday excursions to see the floats on Deer Creek at Leland when I was growing up in Greenville. They are still there every year. And Indianola decorates Indian Bayou downtown, as I recall. Oh, by the way, I met Santa Claus a few weeks ago. It was while we were shooting a “Mississippi Roads” show at the Alice Mosley Folk Art Museum in Bay St. Louis. Bob McGraw walked in wearing a red shirt, longish white hair and a real beard. I immediately scurried over to him and told him I knew who he was and that I had been good. Bob told me he gets to play Santa a

great deal every year. He’s even been to Santa School. He says when he bumps into a real Santa in a store during the holidays while he himself is out of uniform, he runs up to him, hugs him and hollers, “Dad! It’s so good to see you again!” I hope you get to see everybody you

want to see over the holidays and your season is full of light. Walt Grayson is the host of “Mississippi Roads” on Mississippi Public Broadcasting television, and the author of two “Looking Around Mississippi” books and “Oh! That Reminds Me: More Mississippi Homegrown Stories.” Contact Grayson at walt@waltgrayson.com.

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rides des – pl pluss Hoolid dayy Spirit pirit eq equals q ls San qual qu nta’s a’s C Ch hrisstm mass Factory. F ctory. ry. y Tour the historic oric Soulé oulé Steam St m Works in downtow wn nM Merridiian deecorate a ed with w h th houssand a ds of lights and toys ys for this family amily-friendly ndly eeven nt.

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November / December 2018

Today in Mississippi

8 I Today in Mississippi I November / December 2018

Admiration on a distant continent ieter still wears the same hat he was wearing when I first met him quite a few years back. But as for that, so do I. I suppose we both discovered that a good thing serves well and is not quickly supplanted. In stature, my brief 5’9” surpasses his by a good 4 inches. Otherwise, we could wear the same clothes. Pieter walks with an unusual gait but covers an inordinate amount of real estate just the same. In fact, it was Pieter I was struggling to follow when I had a Outdoors first hint of heart issues. We were on Today the tracks of by Tony Kinton waterbuck—then that frightening chest disturbance. But even minus a blocked widow maker, I’m not sure I could have kept that steady, rocking pace. I had failed to do so two years prior when I was a healthy specimen. And there is William—lanky, younger. I met him three years after I met Pieter. He is Pieter’s brother; both live on the property of and work for my PH friend Louis Steenkamp of Sofala Safaris. William glides when walking, an air of dignity present in every step. And like Pieter, he follows spoor in adroit fashion. A defined track here; a bent blade of grass there. It is said about men of the bush such as these two that they can track a bird across the sky an hour after that bird has passed. Hyperbole for sure, but not by much. Purely incredible they are. Pieter and William are part of the Sotho group (pronounced Sue-too). They are from the northern region of South Africa—Limpopo Province— where their tribe is known as the Pedi or Bapedi. They speak Sepedi. This is a dialect of the language known as Northern Sotho. Since I struggled for some time trying to learn Spanish and still know only enough to get hurt, I find it captivating

to encounter individuals who are bi-lingual or even multi-lingual. Pieter and William are so equipped. They can go from their Sotho dialect to Afrikaans with ease, and William is quite proficient with English as well. However, due to his rich, lyrical South African accent, I find myself asking him to repeat what he said far more often than he has to ask the same of me. He seems to understand Mississippi English just fine.

was. Louis interpreted and I responded. Louis then interpreted to Pieter, who simply hung his head and wagged it side to side. Turns out Pieter was a year older! I never concluded if his head wagging was an effort to commiserate or one of disgust that an old man such as I would fly halfway around the world to crawl through African thorn bush. And I recall once when I sat at midday and watched William painting a portrait. Really, he was not painting; he was cleaning out the fire pit. He had a wheelbarrow, a worn shovel and a rake. Every move was fluid. He scooped, smoothed, raked and studied the situation. When he finished the pit was a thing of beauty, even without the mystique of fire that would come at sunset. William, as it

William, left, and Pieter are quite amazing. They have my admiration. Photo: Tony Kinton

And this past June, I discovered that Pieter was beginning to venture into English. Reticent among the Englishspeaking contingent, he would try only a word or two along. One day at the end of my Cape buffalo hunt, he looked at me and said, “Knife.” I unsheathed my skinning knife and handed it to him. He responded with a quiet “Thank you.” It is intriguing to me that when these men speak English, they do so with exactness. Subjects and verbs agree. “Saw” is not erroneously replaced by “seen.” “He and I” are never stated as “me and him.” I chuckle often when I remember one early encounter I had with Pieter. He was sitting in the back of a hunting truck and in Afrikaans asked Louis how old I

turned out, was an artist. Amazing it is that these men, like many from my childhood, take whatever

tools are available and accomplish impressive tasks. From plumbing to various equipment repairs, they get things done. Immediately after I took my buffalo this past June, Louis contacted Pieter and William; they arrived within the hour. They had a ragged trailer behind a tractor and nothing inside that trailer but two posts and a chain hoist. Pieter backed up to the buffalo and William unhooked the trailer. The two of them lifted the tongue, setting the back of the trailer on the ground inches from this 1,600-pound bull. They then put one post under the trailer tongue to keep it in that posture and the other behind the wheels to prevent them from rolling. The hoist was then tied to the tongue and the chain run to the buffalo. Slow and deliberate it was, but an hour later they had the buffalo in that trailer, though it was still slanted tongue upward. It then became apparent that the chore was not fully completed. Pieter kicked the post away and motioned for us to gather around that tongue. We dangled from it to upset the weight and watched as that trailer and buffalo slowmotioned into position. Willian quickly attached trailer to tractor and they were off, back to Sofala’s skinning shed a couple miles up the two track. I left Africa June 8. Before I did, however, I located Pieter and William. I thanked them, shook their hands and said goodbye. I will likely never see them again. But the 10 years or so of acquaintance with these two have left a powerful impression. My admiration remains. Tony Kinton has been an active outdoors writer for 30 years. His newest book is “Rambling Through Pleasant Memories.” Order from Amazon.com or Kinton’s website: www.tonykinton.com.

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November / December 2018

Today in Mississippi I 9

Christmas memories, again! few days ago Mr. Roy and I were holding our daily afternoon meeting, and he was giving me his activities report, when I said, “Well, it’s almost time to write a column again.” He smiled. “Since this is November it must be your annual holiday column.” I said, “Yes, and I’ve written so many over the years, I’m about out of ideas. Can you remember something that happened to you that my readers might enjoy?” “Give me some time to think about it and I’ll come up with something.” Mr. Roy is an engineer by profession, but he does have some “cultural” talents, and over the years he’s helped me with editing. Mr. Roy was born in Lucedale and helped in his daddy’s Chrysler/ Plymouth business. Many people stopped by and sat around telling stories, especially during the holidays. My house

was across the street from the business where he worked with his dad, when school wasn’t in session. A great way to meet my future husband. The next afternoon when I handed Mr. Roy’s coffee cup to him, he said, “You know, I looked back at some old holiday columns and you have just about covered every aspect of Thanksgiving and Christmas. But, when I think of the holidays, my mind skips from one memory to another. So much

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of the Christmas holidays are our memories of them. So, you tell me some of your fondest memories and then I'll share mine.” “Oh, my!” You shouldn’t have asked that. It will take a book to cover the shenanigans that I thought up during my childhood days...and even during my grownup years. Grin ‘n’ “One of the Bare It many Christmases by Kay Grafe I spent at my Daddy Tom and Big Mama Tyner’s house, I told my cousin Ferrell, who was a year younger, that she had to stay in bed until I awoke so we could see our toys at the same time. I’ve always been a late riser, even on Christmas. So my idea was to get some thick, wool crochet thread and tie our ankles together so if she tried to beat me out of bed, I would wake up. I woke up alright...on the wood floor with her. Not a way to start the day Christ was born, crying our eyes out.” Mr. Roy said, “I can just imagine the two of you on the old wood floor. Now, some of my favorite memories are the years we checked the list of needy families from our church and gave our daughters money to purchase gifts for the children, while we shopped for the adults. We bought some clothes for the

adults and food for the families. On Christmas mornings we delivered all of this to their homes. It still brings tears to my eyes to remember how happy they were, especially the children. “Now, we fill up shoe boxes for the Shoe Box Ministry overseas and choose a couple families from the Angel Tree and go shopping. I know our Methodist church always gives food to families in need year-round. Yet, the Christmas season is special for everyone.” He sighed. “I'll always remember Christmas mornings when our young daughters ran downstairs where we were waiting by the Christmas tree, and jumped from one toy to another. To think about that makes me feel so happy, yet also sad that those days are over. “But the one thing that gives me so much peace and comfort are my memories of sitting in our church at the Christmas Eve communion service. I still like to look up at that beautiful old sanctuary ceiling. And again this Christmas Eve, as ‘Silent Night’ is sung, I’ll look up and remember when I sat there as a little boy with my mother and father and little brother; such good memories. And I’ll look up again and remember you and me and our two little girls celebrating Christmas Eve here and singing ‘Silent Night.’ “Those memories are so special. And I look forward to our daughters, their husbands and our grandchildren being with us as we celebrate the birth of our Lord. I am so thankful for these memories.” There is little that I can add to those Christmas memories, except to say that Mr. Roy and I sincerely appreciate our faith and family and friends, especially during this holiday season. As Santa says, “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.” Kay Grafe is the author of “Oh My Gosh, Virginia.” To order, send name, address, phone number and $16.95, plus $3.50 S&H to Kay Grafe, 2142 Fig Farm Road, Lucedale, MS 39452.

Today in Mississippi

November / December 2018

Board of Directors

www.4county.org • 1-800-431-1544

John E. “Jay” Gilliland Jr., President Johnny Johnson, Vice President Mike Banks, Secretary/Treasurer Bill Bell Kenneth Seitz Ernest H. “Bud” Tumlinson Marty Crowder

YOUR COOPERATIVE By Brian Clark, CEO/General Manager

Thanks for the welcome; let’s get to work Everyone, they say, has a special home away from home. For me, that place is 4-County Electric Power Association. I’ve found that time-tested adage to be true as I’m blessed to take on the new challenge of chief executive officer/general manager. My first days in the new position have been full of well wishes. For that, I thank you. I’m excited to carry on the tradition of excellence here at 4-County. And I’d like to thank my predecessor, Joe Cade, for providing a prime example of what leadership is all about. Things may change a little here and there, but the bottom line is that we’re here to serve you, our member/owners. Please don’t hesi- Brian Clark tate to call me or come for a visit. I’d love to meet you. I’ve hit the ground running as new CEO/general manager, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. These are exciting and challenging times for rural electric cooperatives. But you’ve probably heard the saying, “There’s power in numbers.” I have to agree. Cooperation is a key word for electric cooperatives, and a concept vital to our form of business. Consumer-owned co-ops like 4-County operate under seven key guidelines, including the Sixth Cooperative Principle, “Cooperation Among Cooperatives.” In short, electric cooperatives serve their members best while strengthening the overall co-op movement by working together. At the most basic level, electric cooperatives support one another in times of crisis. If a storm or other disaster hits one of our sister cooperatives, like the Florida cooperative we recently assisted in the wake of Hurricane Michael (see article and photos on page

10b), we offer whatever help we can to ensure that service gets restored as quickly as possible. If we need help, our electric co-op “family” will be there for us. We also serve you, our members, and communities with programs such as the Today in Mississippi member magazine, the 4-County Foundation, a host of convenient payment option programs, energy audits, our hot-line safety demonstrations and many other worthwhile education opportunities. And when it comes to local and statewide issues, electric co-ops in Mississippi combine forces through Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi (ECM), our statewide association. The results show that when small organizations such as electric co-ops use the power of aggregation, we grow in clout, efficiency and economy. By working together, good things happen. The power of numbers gives us a louder voice at the state Capitol when legislators make decisions that affect us. We share training resources and expertise. By working through ECM, we lower printing and production costs of this publication through economies of scale. Nationally, we collaborate with other electric coops through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), the Arlington, Va.-based national service organization representing more than 900 consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives, public power districts and public utility districts in the United States. NRECA presents a unified consumer voice, urging lawmakers to create legislation that’s in the best interest of electric co-ops. Not only does the organization have the ears of Washington, D.C., decision-makers, it also represents cooperative interests before

federal regulatory bodies. And through NRECA’s Cooperative Research Network, we receive information about new technologies that can help us control costs, improve productivity and deliver superior service to you. Even if we were in this alone, 4-County would still provide you with the very best service at the lowest price possible. But when we pool our resources—work cooperatively—we offer you better value. In addition, by adding our voice to a grand chorus of fellow cooperatives, our message gets heard loud and clear by legislators. And that’s the cooperative difference. Finally, thank you for your warm welcome to me and my family as we readily and humbly accept this new opportunity and challenge to serve 4-County and its members. Please know that my door is always open. And last but not least, happy Thanksgiving, merry Christmas and happy New Year!

Holiday office schedule 4-County offices will be closed Thursday, Nov. 22, and Friday, Nov. 23, for the Thanksgiving holiday; Monday, Dec. 24, and Tuesday, Dec. 25, for the Christmas holiday; and Tuesday, Jan. 1, for New Year’s Day. A dispatcher will be on hand.

Co-op Connections Card saves Since the Co-op Connections Card was unveiled in September 2011, 4-County members have saved over $693,436 on prescription drugs through September. Look here each month to see the savings total!

November / December 2018

Today in Mississippi 10a

Follow your nose to a holiday tasty surprise The holiday season is a time to energize the senses. Enter someone’s home and you’re likely to inhale the rich, enticing fragrances of a variety of tasty Thanksgiving and Christmas treats. The homes of 4-County employees (and the offices) are no different, as the cooperative has its own set of renowned homegrown cooks. With all due respect to Rachel Ray, the 4-County cooks are dishing up their own gift of recipes this year for all to enjoy. Here’s a sampling:

Best Carrot Cake Ever (featured in photo) 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp. baking soda ½ tsp. salt 2 tsp. ground cinnamon 3 large eggs 2 cups sugar ¾ cup vegetable oil ¾ cup buttermilk 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract 2 cups grated carrot 1 (8-oz.) can crushed pineapple, drained 3 ½ oz. flaked coconut 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare three 9-inch cake pans by lining with wax paper, then lightly grease and flour each. Set aside. In a bowl, stir together flour, soda, salt and cinnamon. With an electric mixer on medium speed, beat eggs, sugar, oil, buttermilk and vanilla until smooth. Add flour mixture, beating at low speed until blended. Fold in carrot, pineapple, coconut and nuts. Pour batter into prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean. Drizzle Buttermilk Glaze evenly over the layers; cool in pans on wire racks for 15 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks. Spread Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake.

Buttermilk Glaze 1 cup sugar 1 ½ tsp. baking soda ½ cup buttermilk ½ cup butter 1 Tbsp. light corn syrup 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract Combine sugar, baking soda, buttermilk, butter and corn syrup in a large pan or dutch oven, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. (Don’t skimp on the size of the pan because this mixture will expand.) Boil for 4 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

Cream Cheese Frosting ¾ cup butter, softened 1 (8-oz.) block plus 1 (3-oz.) package cream cheese, softened 3-plus cups sifted powdered sugar 1 ½ tsp. vanilla extract Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed of an electric mixer until creamy. Add 3 cups of the powdered sugar a little at a time and the vanilla extract. Beat until smooth. Add additional powdered sugar if necessary to obtain the desired spreading consistency. – Emily Bratton, Corporate Center

Serbian Bean Soup 4 oz. smoked bacon, cut into small pieces 1 large onion, sliced 3 garlic cloves, crushed 8 oz. stew meat (optional) Salt to taste ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper 1 Tbsp. paprika 1 tsp. caraway seeds 1 tsp. marjoram 1 Tbsp. ketchup 4 cups cubed potatoes 4 (15-oz.) cans white beans (navy, pinto, great northern, whatever you like) 2 lbs. thinly sliced polish sausage

Fry bacon until glossy; add onion and sauté until golden. Add garlic, beef, salt, cayenne pepper, paprika, caraway seeds, marjoram and ketchup, and simmer for 10 minutes. Add 1 cup of water and bring to boil. Reduce temperature and cook on medium heat until meat is tender, stirring occasionally. Add potatoes and 4 cups of water, and simmer until almost tender. Add beans and sausage, and simmer until everything is tender. Serves 8. (This is an old family favorite that we especially enjoy during the cold weather. We typically don’t add the stew meat. It was shared with us by a family friend, Becky Stockwell.) – Jon Turner, Corporate Center

Sausage Cream Cheese Balls 1 lb. mild or hot sausage, uncooked 1 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened 2 cups Bisquick baking mix 1 lb. Cheddar cheese, shredded Preheat oven to 350 F. In a bowl combine sausage and cream cheese. Add baking mix and stir until combined. Add shredded cheese. Mix well and form into balls. Bake for 25 minutes. I serve them with pepper jelly. – Tammy Sudduth, Corporate Center

10b

Today in Mississippi

November / December 2018

4-County welcomes home crews from

Hurricane Michael restoration work 4-County Electric Power Association crews have completed their assistance to restore power to members of West Florida Electric Cooperative in the wake of Hurricane Michael. A second crew, who left Oct. 26, arrived back in Columbus Nov. 6. They relieved an initial crew, who left Oct. 17 and arrived home Oct. 26. The 4-County team was assisting West Florida Electric, based in Graceville and serving 28,000 meters in four counties. West Florida estimates that there were 8,500 poles damaged due to the hurricane. 4-County employees who assisted in the effort to help a sister co-op were Tim Adkins, Wyatt Pumphrey, Chris Benson, Tre Samuel, Tommy Reed, Derek Dawkins, Drew Swan, Dedrick Stevenson, Robert Poole, Hayden Nickels, Jonathan Edwards, Eric Yarbrough, Justin Murphy, Rowdy Rigdon, Curtis Collier, Myron Green, Jimmy Stewart, A.J. Jones, Willie Terry, Fred Harris and Clint Docher. 4-County has a reciprocal agreement with the other electric power cooperatives to provide help for each other in times of crisis.

4-County crews assisting a Florida co-op with storm restoration work experienced some interesting challenges. A field and trees littered with storm-blown cotton, top left, closely resembles a snow storm. Much of the work was done in water-logged areas, top right. Downed trees and poles were everywhere, bottom left. And a giant tent awaited crews at the end of a long day.

4-County Foundation recipients awarded over $48,000 Nine area organizations received awards recently from the 4-County Electric Power Association Foundation. Over $48,000 was distributed at the Foundation’s Oct. 5 meeting at 4-County's Corporate Center. Since the Foundation’s inception in February 2015, over $790,000 has been dispersed to organizations in 4-County's service area. Those receiving Foundation awards were Choctaw County High School ($9,994 for Chrome books/student technology), West Point Fire Department ($5,107 for CPR training gear), Lowndes County Council on Aging ($5,000 for matching grant for vehicle purchase), Oktibbeha County Sher-

iff’s Office ($3,500 for intoxicators/DUI enforcement technology), Starkville Friends of Library ($1,000 for materials for a young readers program), Starkville Pregnancy Center ($5,000 for a matching grant for a sonogram machine), Town of Mathiston Volunteer Fire Department ($8,000 for a wild land firefighting unit), Lowndes County Volunteer Fire Services District 5 ($7,693.83 for fire and rescue gear) and the Magnolia Amateur Radio Club ($2,913 for E-911 backup communications). 4-County believes in helping the communities it

serves. That’s why the cooperative launched the 4-County Foundation, a community service program. Since February 2015, participating 4-County members’ utility bills have been rounded up to the nearest dollar; a $125.78 bill, for example, becomes $126. Now, that’s an average of only 49 cents per member, per month. That may not seem like much. But when you multiply those contributions by the thousands of member participants, that’s a lot of pennies! For more information on the 4-County Foundation, call 1-800-431-1544.

November / December 2018

Today in Mississippi

10c

4-County energizes completed Montpelier substation 4-County Electric Power Association took another step last month in enhancing an already sound power infrastructure in Clay County by energizing the recently completed Montpelier substation. The Montpelier substation will serve Sparta in Chickasaw County and western Clay County along highways 46, 389 and 50. Lynn Timbrook, 4-County manager of Engineering, said the project was planned in 2010. “This was part of a plan that included retiring three substations that were very old— Pheba, Ivy Village and West Point substations—and replacing them with service from three new substations. The emphasis was primarily focused on improving reliability in Clay County,” Timbrook said. Three new substations (including the Montpelier substation), an investment of over $9 million, have been completed in Clay County over a five-year span. The Waverley substation (energized in July 2014, and serving the Highway 50 E. area from West Point to the Tenn-Tom River and including Church Hill Road, Barton Ferry Road, County Line Road and Old Waverly Road), the Lone Oak substation (energized

in June 2016, and serving the areas west and north of West Point plus Highway 45 Alt. south of West Point), and the Montpelier substation are making things a little bigger, better and brighter for residential and commercial members in Clay County. Reliability and service are priorities for the cooperative, according to 4-County Chief Executive Officer Brian Clark.

Replacing older wires, poles and substations is not cheap, he said. “But by using technology, such as online services and payment options, streamlining our internal processes and cutting down on overhead, we are spending less but getting more bang for our buck. And we continue to offer innovative services to members. In fact, members can now report an outage by text, and get updates on restoration progress the same way. We are proud of

being one of the leading electric cooperatives in Mississippi and the Tennessee Valley,” he added. 4-County continues to explore opportunities to bring safe, affordable and reliable power to its members, Clark explained. “One of our biggest priorities is to bring superior service to our members while finding ways to save them money.” For more information, call 1-800-4311544.

4-County warns members about scam artists Due to increasing scam artist activity in the area, 4-County Electric Power Association is warning its members to never give out personal or credit card information over the phone. “We’re hearing that an increasing number of our members, residential and commercial, have received questionable phone calls or emails from scammers,” said Jimmie Daniels, 4-County manager of System Security. “Never give out personal information or credit card numbers, or wire money, as the result of an unexpected phone call or email—especially if you can’t validate where it’s coming from,” Daniels advised. Members receiving a questionable phone call should simply hang up, 4-County officials said. And do not respond to questionable emails. Delete them.

One of the more popular scams in the area has scammers calling members and telling them to upgrade their security deposit by paying over the phone or their power will be cut off. Another scam involves a call to members requesting money over the phone or their power will be cut off for non-payment. If members are up for disconnection or are late paying their bills, they will receive in the U.S. mail a letter stating that fact. 4-County offers many payment options and never calls or emails members asking for banking or personal information over the phone or by email. The cooperative does contact members by phone, text or email with information, officials explain, but does not ask for personal or banking information. 4-County officials urge members who suspect an attempted scam to contact the cooperative at 1-800-431-1544 or your local law enforcement agency.

4-County educates area first responders About 50 area first responders were treated recently to a hamburger meal and educated on electrical safety as 4-County Electric Power Association welcomed the dedicated men and women. The emergency responders, from areas in and around the 4-County service area, viewed a hot-line demonstration, learned the ins and outs of electrical meter safety and enjoyed the meal. “This is just a great way for us to show how much we appreciate our emergency responders, and to educate them on electrical safety,” said Brian Clark, 4-County CEO. Those attending also enjoyed a presentation on the 4-County Electric Power Association Foundation. Simpson Volunteer Fire Department (based in Choctaw County) received a $6,900 award (for fire station upgrades to help improve response time) from the Foundation. For more information on the 4-County Foundation, call 1-800-431-1544.

10d

Today in Mississippi

November / December 2018

‘Bull Grunt’

travelling country with safety message

Curtis Helms, better known as “Bull Grunt,” made his way through the 4-County Electric Power Association service area recently on a mission to bring lineman safety awareness throughout the United States. Helms, a 23-year veteran lineman from Texas, began his trek (by foot and short car rides) on Oct. 15 from the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston. His goal is to make it to Huntington Beach, Calif., (about 2,621 miles) in six months. Along the way he’s relying on the goodness of fellow lineman for meals, sometimes transportation and for prayers. And anyone who’s willing to listen, Helms explains the contributions, sacrifices and safety concerns associated with being a lineman. His mission is three-fold: alerting the general public about lineman, fellowshipping with lineman across the country and raising money for three lineman safety awareness foundations. The 44-year-old has been known for several years for a series of videos promoting the importance of linemen 4-County employees, from left, Curtis Collier, Jimmy Stewart, Eric Yarbrough, Rowdy Rigdon, Myron Green and Glen Ledbetter recently welcomed roving lineman Curtis “Bull Grunt” Helms to the cooperative. and linemen safety. Helms, who now works for a lineman training school, said he was called to take on his journey following the death of a fellow lineman. “It just punched me in the chest. I get to be the guy that God told to walk across America,” he added. • Christmas, Shopping, decorating and holiday “This is a humbling experience,” Helms, a husband and father of four children. entertaining are all part of what makes Christmas 4-County Lineman Curtis Collier said most linemen are aware of Helms’ jourEve and the Christmas season a cherished time ney. “We saw his proposed route and that it was coming right through our service for family and friends. But make sure to New Year’s Day lead the year for candle area. So, we wanted to be a part of it,” Collier said of the co-op’s assistance with a fires, according to officials with Electrical put safety at the top of your to-do-list. little transportation. “We wanted to do our part.” Here are a few electrical safety tips to Safety Foundation International. Mind

Give safety this Christmas

Lowndes Co. schools receive energy efficiency incentive The Tennessee Valley Authority, 4-County Electric Power Association and Monroe County Electric Power Association recently presented Lowndes County schools with a $115,000 rebate check. The check presentation was in conjunction with TVA’s EnergyRight Program for the Lowndes County school district’s energy conservation project to reinvest over $7.5 million in energy costs back in the classroom. Lowndes County Schools, in partnership with energy and sustainability expert Schneider Electric, modernized more than 14,000 dated facility infrastructure components, including installing 10,000 LED interior and exterior lighting fixtures and upgrading HVAC units, using smart technology to improve its energy efficiency efforts and generate additional cost savings across the district.

make sure your Christmas season is a good one: • Always purchase electrical decorations and lights from reputable retailers and check that a nationally recognized testing organization like Underwriters Laboratories (UL) has approved them, according to Joe Miller, 4-County Job Safety and Training coordinator. “Inspect electrical decorations for damage, such as cracked or frayed sockets, loose or bare wires, and loose connections, before use,” Miller recommends. Never connect more than three strings of incandescent lights together, he stressed. And always remember to turn off, unplug and extinguish all decorations when going to sleep or leaving the house.

your festive decorations for safety hazards. • When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree will stay green longer, reducing the risk of fire. • On artificial trees, look for a “fire resistant” label. • Keep candles, matches and lighters out of reach, and never leave children unsupervised when candles are lit. • Instead of traditional candles, use battery-operated candles. • Place electrical cords out of the reach of small children. • Never allow children to play with lights, electrical decorations or cords. For more information, visit holiday safety.org.

November / December 2018

Today in Mississippi

Toys for Tots makes Christmas a little brighter Employees and members of 4-County Electric Power Association have the chance to make Christmas a little better and brighter for area children by taking part in the Toys for Tots program. Toys for Tots, a charitable organization offered through the U.S. Marine Corps, has partnered with 4-County the last six holiday seasons. Last year, employees and members dug deep and collected nearly 300 toys for distribution in 4-County’s service territory. “This is a great Christmas project,” said Brad Barr, 4-County communications coordinator. “We’re always excited to partner with the Marine Corps Toys for Tots project. Last year, the cooperative and its members made Christmas an even better experience for children in our service area. A lot of children identified by Toys for Tots wouldn’t have the same Christmas experience without the help of this charitable organization and organizations like 4-County.” Toys for Tots drop-off boxes will be located in 4-County offices. Participants in this project are not required to donate toys for children of a specific age or gender. “All we ask is that you drop off a new toy in one of the boxes located in an office near you,” Barr explained. The drop-off boxes will be in 4-County offices by Nov. 12. The deadline for dropping off toys is Dec. 20. Toys for Tots personnel will pick up the items by the end of that day. For more information about the Toys for Tots project, call Barr at 1-800-431-1544.

Watts Happening This listing of area events is compiled from information provided by area chambers of commerce and visitors bureaus. The events listed are subject to change. Please call to confirm dates, times and additional details.

MONDAY, NOV. 26 Columbus City Christmas Tree Lighting; Riverwalk Bridge; 5:30 p.m.; details, (662) 328-6305. Starkville Christmas Parade; downtown Starkville; 6 to 8 p.m.; details, (662) 3233322.

TUESDAY, DEC. 4 Student Ensemble: Philharmonic Orchestra; McComas Hall Theater on the campus of Mississippi State University in Starkville; 7:30 p.m.; details, (662) 3243080. THURSDAY, DEC. 6 Macon Christmas Parade; downtown Macon, details, (662) 726-4456.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 28 Holiday Bazaar; The Mill, 100 Mercantile Lane in Starkville; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; continFRIDAY, DEC. 7 ues Thursday, Nov. 29; details, (662) 323Wassail Fest; downtown Columbus; 3322. details, (662) 328-6305. FRIDAY, NOV. 30 SATURDAY, DEC. 8 T’was the Night Before Christmas; Ackerman Christmas Parade; downtown McComas Mainstage at Mississippi State Ackerman; details, (662) 285-3778. University in Starkville; 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.; SUNDAY, DEC. 9 continues Saturday, Dec. 1; $5 per adult, Starkville Christmas Tour of Homes; 1 to free for children 10 and under; (662) 4:30 p.m.; $20 per person; details, (662) 323.3322. 323-3322. MONDAY, DEC. 3 FRIDAY, DEC. 14 West Point Christmas Parade; downCarols in the Chapel; Chapel of Memories town West Point; 6:30 p.m.; details, (662) on the campus of Mississippi State Universi494-5121. Columbus Christmas Parade; downtown ty in Starkville; 11 a.m. to noon; details, Columbus; 7 p.m.; details, (662) 328-6305. (662) 324-3080.

Teresa Thompson paints a pretty picture of life at co-op Teresa Thompson is always ready to provide a quick sketch of the life she leads in the Longview community west of Starkville. As a matter of fact, she can tell you or show you. The pet enthusiast and budding artist is ready to spin a tale about her adventures on the family farm or show you a painting of her free-range animal friends. Her hobbies are all associated with taking care of all the members of “Funny Farm,” a collection of “critters” including chickens, turkeys, ducks, goats, ponies, dogs and cats. “When I drive up, it’s a mass wave of fowl. Feathers flying and wanting a treat. It’s funny,” she said. Teresa’s paintings are abstract, in nature, and reflect the peaceful nature of farm life. Her most recent painting, “The Three,” is a colorful interpretation of pet goats. Her next artistic adventure? Painting a mural on the new chicken coop. “It’s relaxing,” she said of her acrylicon-canvas creations. “You make it your own.” Teresa says the family uses the term farm animals lightly. “If you name it, feed it and pet it, you don’t eat it. That’s the rule.” The neighborhood children like to feed the animals, she added. Teresa lives on the farm with her husband, Frankie. She has two children: Mitchell, 24, a welding instructor at the Winston County Vocational Technical Center, and Hailey, 19, a second-year sports medicine student at East Mississippi Community College. A 27-year veteran of 4-County, Teresa began her 4-County career as a cashier at the Starkville Customer Service Center. She also served as a customer service representative and customer service supervisor at the

Starkville and Mathiston branch offices. Teresa later accepted a position in 4-County’s Information Technology Department, monitoring meter readings during the co-op’s development of its Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI). She later moved to accounting, and then began serving in her current role as AMI administrator. “I’ve learned so much about metering. I actually get to program meters. It’s fun,” she said. She is a member of 4-County’s Activities Committee, assisting with decorating for co-op functions. Teresa enjoys the challenge of new and emerging technology. “The AMI world is constantly changing. These changes allow multiple opportunities to learn and apply. It’s mind-boggling to think that we can get that much information from a meter on the side of the house,” through analysis of members’ electricity use. “I’m a nerd at heart,” she admitted. “I enjoy the challenge of making things work.” Teresa was a key player in 4-County’s progression about 10 years ago from hands-on meter reading to automated metering. These advances led to the co-op’s successful daily billing and prepay programs. The veteran co-op employee appreciates 4-County’s presence in the communities it serves, alluding to various member outreach programs. “We’re actually part of our communities.” Teresa is thankful for her place in the 4-County family. “It’s allowed me to provide a stable life for me and my family. I’ve learned a lot, and grown as a person. It’s a very encouraging and learning environment.”

Today in Mississippi

November / December 2018

Cool-season dianthus lasts through spring love the annual color we can grow all winter in most of our Mississippi gardens and landscapes, so I’m going to spend a few weeks concentrating on cool-season color. Dianthus is my first choice for fall color. In my coastal Ocean Springs landscape, the dianthus I’m planting now will carry through until spring for an outstanding color display. Planting in the fall allows for a robust root system to develop through the winter, and it results in a beautiful and colorful display next spring. We all know there will be days and nights with freezing temperatures. During these colder periods, any open flowSouthern ers will be damGardening aged. Depending on by Dr. Gary Bachman how low the temperature gets, even the foliage will start to turn purplish. I like to think of it as the leaves shivering a bit. In the southern half of the state, the plants recover from these brief freezing bouts to bloom again. In northern Mississippi, you must provide some protection from cold weather for fall dianthus plantings, or you may simply replant next spring. I adore the Telstar series of dianthus. Their great colors range from carmine rose, pink and purple to one that is almost red. There are a couple of pretty bicolors that are called picottees. Telstar is the perfect choice for mass planting in the landscape. These are uniform growing, have a sturdy habit and get only about 10 inches tall and wide. Another good choice is the Super Parfait series. Super Parfait dianthuses are indeed super, and they are cold weather tolerant, as well. This group is known for its compact size and large blossoms that reach 2 to 2 1/2 inches in diameter.

But don’t think you’re out of luck if you can’t find these named series. This weekend, I bought some really nicelooking generic dianthuses at the garden center. Dianthus has a uniform growing habit that makes it a perfect mass planting choice. For best performance, always plant in full sun in well-drained soil. Dianthus is susceptible to root disease problems and doesn’t like wet feet. This is a concern in Mississippi’s cool, wet falls and winters. Dianthus is also a great choice for colorful combination containers. Try pairing with pansies and violas for a great cool-season container. Cool Wave pansies have an improved, trailing growth habit that makes them fantastic spiller plants for containers. All dianthuses are moderate to heavy feeders. At planting, place about a tablespoon of a good, slow-release fertilizer in the planting hole, and then supplement monthly with a water-soluble fertilizer. To encourage more lateral growth and more flowers, pinch or prune back the plants a couple of inches after the first flush of flowers. Many people I talk to are surprised that dianthus flowers are edible, just like pansies and violas. Gather the flowers, gently wash them and pat dry. Softly pull on the petals to separate

November / December 2018

Today in Mississippi I 13

Fall-planted dianthuses carry an outstanding color display through spring. In north Mississippi, a little cold weather protection is needed. Photo: MSU Extension/Gary Bachman

them from the base. Add the petals to any fresh lettuce or fruit salad. Be careful when selecting plants for edible flowers from the nurseries and garden centers, as you don’t know how they have been treated during the production phase. But you can easily grow dianthus from seed. This way you can

grow exactly the varieties and colors you want. Dr. Gary Bachman is an associate Extension and research professor of horticulture at the Mississippi State University Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi. He is also host of “Southern Gardening” radio and TV programs.

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Today in Mississippi

November / December 2018

Apricot-Pecan Deer Camp Muffins

Recipes from

‘The Ultimate Venison Cookbook for Deer Camp’ Spending time at a deer camp is a memorable outdoors experience, says Harold Webster Jr., and camp meals should be just as enjoyable. But some camp cooks could benefit from a little more instruction in cooking techniques—and encouragement to try new recipes. For those folks Webster created “The Ultimate Venison Cookbook for Deer Camp.” Webster aimed to develop and adapt a wide variety of recipes to avoid mealtime monotony at camp. His recipes keep pantry items to a minimum (or call for easily obtainable ingredients) and were written to be useful even for “Bubbas and Bubbaleens” who may not normally cook at home. Above all, Webster strives to help

hunters get more from their harvest: a bounty of meals enjoyed among friends. The cookbook presents 300 recipes. Several of the chapters are devoted to a specific cut of venison—steak, loin, tenderloin, ground, sausage, etc. More recipes follow for marinades, sauces, appetizers, soups, stews, chilis, salads, vegetables, casseroles, sweets and much more, including the recipes reprinted here. The book is illustrated with color photographs of recipes and scenes from hunting camps. Webster also shares cooking tips and stories about hunting and history, making his book as fun to read as it is useful. The cookbook is available in retail stores and may be ordered from Great American Publishers, in Brandon. Price for the 288-page softcover is $21.95. Get details at 1-888-854-5954 or GreatAmericanPublishers.com.

Cornmeal-Crusted Black Bean Chili 2 Tbsp. olive oil 1 lb. ground venison ½ cup sliced fresh mushrooms 1 cup minced onion ½ cup diced green bell pepper 2 cloves garlic, minced ½ cup diced red bell pepper 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced 1 (14-oz.) can beef broth 2 (15-oz.) cans black beans

1 (28-oz.) can whole Roma tomatoes, quartered 2 cups water, divided 1 ½ Tbsp. chili powder 1 tsp. ground oregano 1 bay leaf Ground red pepper to taste Salt to taste 2 (8.5-oz.) pkgs. Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix, plus ingredients to prepare

Heat olive oil in a large ovenproof pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add venison and mushrooms, and cook until venison is browned. Add onion and green bell pepper, and sauté until onion is just clear. Add garlic, red bell pepper and jalapeños, and sauté for just a few moments. Add beef broth and scrape the bits from the bottom of the pot. Add beans, tomatoes, 1 ½ cups water and spices. Remove from heat. Remove bay leaf. Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare corn muffin mix according to package directions, but do not bake. Dilute ⅓ cup corn muffin mix with remaining ½ cup water. Stir into chili broth. Spoon on remaining prepared corn muffin mix so that it floats on top of the chili. Cover pot and bake 20 to 40 minutes or until cornbread is slightly browned and crusty. Serves 4 to 6.

10 paper muffin cup liners 1 cup buttermilk 1 cup bran 1 ½ cups unsifted all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking soda ½ tsp. ground cinnamon ¼ tsp. salt 1⁄3 cup butter, softened

½ cup sugar 1 large egg 1 tsp. vanilla extract ¾ cup chopped dried apricots ½ cup chopped pecans, walnuts, hickory nuts, hazelnuts, almonds or a combination

Preheat oven to 400 F. Spray insides of paper liners with nonstick cooking spray and place into a muffin pan. In a small bowl, combine buttermilk and bran and set aside. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt and set aside. In a large bowl, by hand or with an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla extract; beat until well blended. With mixer speed on low, add flour and buttermilk mixtures to butter mixture. Beat just until batter is blended. Stir in apricots and nuts. Spoon batter into muffin cup liners. Bake 20 to 25 minutes. Remove liners from muffin pan and allow to cool 5 to 10 minutes. Remove muffins from paper liners. Makes 10.

Simmered T-Bone Steak with Lemon-Mushroom Sauce 3 Tbsp. lemon juice 4 venison T-bone steaks, cut 1 inch thick Salt and pepper to taste 1 tsp. bacon drippings 2 Tbsp. minced green onions ¼ lb. mushrooms, sliced thin ½ clove garlic, minced fine

½ cup plus 1 tsp. red wine, divided 1 tsp. meat extract ½ bay leaf 1 tsp. all-purpose flour 1 tsp. butter, melted Chopped fresh parsley

Pour lemon juice over the steaks and let marinate 10 minutes. Drain. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Heat bacon drippings in a heavy skillet over high heat. Add steaks. Brown 4 minutes on each side. Remove steaks and set aside. Sauté green onions in pan drippings until lightly browned. Add mushrooms and garlic, and sauté for a few minutes more. Add ½ cup red wine, meat extract and bay leaf; bring to a boil and simmer 5 minutes. Put steaks in gravy and heat 3 minutes. Place them on a preheated platter and keep warm. Whisk together flour, butter and remaining 1 teaspoon red wine. Thicken gravy with flour mixture. Pour some of the gravy over steaks. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve remaining gravy on the side. Serves 4.

Lemon Juice and Peanut Oil Marinade ½ cup red wine vinegar ¾ cup teriyaki sauce ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce ½ cup peanut or canola oil

1⁄3 cup lemon juice 5 garlic cloves, minced 2 Tbsp. dry mustard

Mix all ingredients and pour into a 1-gallon zip-close plastic bag. Place venison into bag, mix well and refrigerate 8 to 12 hours.

Breakfast Casserole with Dinner Roll Topping 1 lb. venison sausage 1 (8-oz.) can refrigerated crescent rolls 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese 1 small onion, chopped

4 eggs, lightly beaten ¾ cup whole milk ¼ tsp. salt ¼ tsp. pepper

Preheat oven to 400 F. Brown sausage in large skillet and drain excess fat. Press crescent rolls into bottom and up sides of a greased 9x13-inch glass baking dish, pinching to seal. Layer with sausage, cheese and onion. Combine eggs, milk and seasonings; pour over casserole. Bake 20 minutes or until eggs are set. Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes before serving. Serves 4.

Kitchen tips • Keep your cutting board from skidding while slicing or chopping foods by placing a slightly damp dishtowel or a mousepad beneath the board. • Use a clean pair of rubber dishwashing gloves for working with raw ground meat to make burgers, meatloaf, etc.

November / December 2018

Today in Mississippi

Marketplace

Today in Mississippi

November / December 2018

Mississippi

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November / December 2018

Next in “Picture This”

Kittens I Submission guidelines • Photos must be in sharp focus. • Photos must be the original work of an amateur photographer (of any age). • Photos may be either color or black and white, print or digital. • Digital photos must be high-resolution JPG files of at least 1 MB in size. (If emailing a phone photo, select “actual size” before sending. We cannot use compressed photo files.) • Please do not use photo-editing software to adjust colors or tones. (We prefer to do it ourselves, if necessary, according to our printer’s standards.) • Photos with the date stamped on the image cannot be used. • Each entry must be accompanied by the photographer’s name, address, phone number and electric power association (if applicable). Include the name(s) of any recognizable people or places in the picture. Feel free to add

STOP!

THINK SAFETY when you need to use an extension cord

Kittens may be the best photo subject of all. They’re funny, cute, beautiful, mischievous, playful, cuddly and curious. Send us your photo(s) of one or more kittens, and be sure to include their name. Selected photos will appear in the January 2019 issue of Today in Mississippi. Submissions must be emailed or postmarked by Dec. 3.

any other details you like. • Prints will be returned if accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. We cannot, however, guarantee their safe return through the mail.

I How to submit photos

Attach digital photos to your email message and send to news@ecm.coop. If submitting more than one photo, please attach all photos to only one email message, if possible. Please be sure to include all information requested in the guidelines. Or, mail prints or a CD to Picture This, Today in Mississippi, P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158-3300. Photographers whose photos are published are entered in a random drawing for a $200 cash prize to be awarded in December 2019. Question? Contact Debbie Stringer, editor, at 601-605-8600 or news@ecm.coop.

Don’t forget to unplug

Extension Cords Extension cords are meant to be used temporarily, not as permanent plugs. They’re not sturdy enough for prolonged use. A safety message from your local Electric Power Association

Today in Mississippi

Today in Mississippi I November / December 2018

Events MISSISSIPPI

Want more than 437,000 readers to know about your special event? Events open to the public will be published free of charge as space allows. Submit details at least two months prior to the event date. Submissions must include a phone number with area code for publication. Send to Mississippi Events, Today in Mississippi, P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 39158-3300; fax to 601-605-8601; or email to news@ecm.coop. Events are subject to change. We recommend calling to confirm details before traveling.

“Gulf of America” Art Exhibit, through Nov. 22, Long Beach. Sixty watercolor paintings of gulf scenes by Bay St. Louis artist Herb Willey. University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Library. Details: 228-214-3450. “In the Dark” Exhibit, through Dec. 31, Jackson. About the unseen creatures and insects active at night. Admission. Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. Details: 601-5766000; MDWFP.com/museum. Trees of Christmas at Merrehope, Nov. 16 - Dec. 29, Meridian. Daily tours of antebellum Merrehope and Victorian F.W. Williams homes featuring 50 decorated trees. Opening gala 6 p.m. Nov. 15. Details: Merrehope.com. Lazy Acres in Lights, Nov. 22 - Dec. 25, Chunky. Light display, special activities. Drivethrough Monday -Thursday 6-9 p.m; wagon tours Friday, Saturday 6-10 p.m. Admission. Lazy Acres Christmas Tree Farm. Details: Lazy-Acres.com. 15th Annual Christmas in the Park, Nov. 22 - Dec. 29, Collins. Drive-through display of lights, nativity, life of Jesus displays, animated displays, more. Free admission. Open Thurs., Fri., Sat. only, 5-9 p.m. Bettie D. Robertson Park. Details: 601-765-6012; CovingtonChamber.com.

Santa’s Christmas Factory, Nov. 24, Dec. 68, Meridian. Tour decorated historic Soulé Steam Works, Christmas train rides; 4-8 p.m. Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum. Details: 601-693-9905; SantasChristmasFactory.com. Coast Chorale Concerts, Nov. 25, 4 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church, Bay St. Louis; Dec. 7, 7 p.m., Main Street United Methodist Church, Bay St. Louis; Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m., Diamondhead Community Church, Diamondhead; Dec. 14, 6:30 p.m., Most Holy Trinity Church, Pass Christian. Free. Details: 238-324-8213. Christmas Parade: “Once Upon a Christmas,” Nov. 29, Carthage. 6 p.m. Details: 601-267-9231. Homestead for the Holidays, Nov. 29-30, Jackson. Photos with Santa and Rudolph, carousel and train rides, story time with Mrs. Claus, hands-on historic crafts, music, breakfast sampler; 5-8 p.m. Admission. Miss. Agriculture Museum. Details: 601-432-4500; MSAgMuseum.org. Old Towne Christmas Tree Lighting with Santa, Nov. 29, Olive Branch. 7 p.m. City Hall. Details: 662-893-0888. 42nd Chimneyville Arts Festival, Nov. 30 -

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Dec. 1, Jackson. Featuring the work of Craftsmen’s Guild of Miss. artisans, plus fine artists and photographers. Preview party Nov. 29, 6-9 p.m. Admission. Miss. Trade Mart. Details: MSCrafts.org. A Magical Visit with Santa, Dec. 1, McComb. See Santa, elves and Mrs. Claus. Christmas villages display, magician, visits to 1914 rail post office car and red caboose; 1-4 p.m. Free admission. McComb Depot. Details: trainmaster@mcrrmuseum.com. Ballet Magnificat!: “Light Has Come – The Angels’ Story,” Dec. 1, Hattiesburg. Ballet depicting salvation story from angels’ perspective; 7 p.m. Admission; benefits Christian Services’ Meals on Wheels. Saenger Theatre. Details: 601-582-5683; HattiesburgSaenger.com. A Walk in the Woods Art Event, Dec. 1, Kiln. Potters, canvas artists, weavers, spinners and fabric artists demo and sell works; 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; 22591 Rue La Terre. Details: 228-2554019. “Together for Christmas” Tour, Dec. 1, Meridian. Jonathan Wilburn and The LeFevre Quartet; 3 p.m. Meridian Temple Theatre for the Performing Arts. Details: 800-965-9324, 601-416-1630. Pine Belt Holiday Expo, Dec. 1, Hattiesburg. Shopping, food, holiday decor ideas, children’s activities, more; 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Free admission. Historic Train Depot. Details: PineBeltHolidayExpo.com. Breakfast with the Grinch, Dec. 1, Natchez. Two time slots: 9 and 10:45 a.m. Admission. Duncan Park Canteen. Details: 601-442-7061; Facebook: Junior Auxiliary of Natchez MS. Live Nativity, Dec. 1-2, Brandon. Manger scene with stable animals; 6-8 p.m. Free admission. Nativity Lutheran Church. Details: 601-825-5125. Philadelphia Gun Show, Dec. 1-2, Philadelphia. Neshoba County Coliseum. Details: 601-319-5248; BigPopGunShows.com. Dinner Dances, Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Gulfport. Dinner, 7 p.m., dance 8-10 p.m.;

casual dress. Admission. Amour Danzar School of Ballroom Dance. Details: 228-324-3730; AmourDanzar.com. GFWC-MFWC Florentine Clubs 22nd Annual Christmas Tour of Homes, Dec. 2, Florence. Tour homes decorated with the Christmas spirit. Admission. Details: 601-8456662. Christmas Tour of Homes, Dec. 2, Wiggins. Tour six decorated homes; 1-6 p.m. Garden Gate Garden Club event benefitting community beautification projects. Admission. Details: 601-928-7370, 601-928-3267. Christmas in the Orchard, Dec. 6-8, 13-15, 20-22, Richton. Carriage rides, hayrides, carolers, music, live music, more; 6-9 p.m. Free admission. Fulmer’s General Store. Details: 601-964-8222; FulmersFarmstead.com. 155th Anniversary of the Battle of McLeod’s Mill, Dec. 7-9, Leakesville. Living history displays/demonstrations, period music and dancing. Free admission. Green Park and Leakesville landing of Chickasawhay River. Details: 601-395-2383. Carols of Christmas, Dec. 7, 8, 14, 15, Collins. Walk-through exhibit of Christmas trees inspired by hymns and seasonal songs; live entertainment. Free admission. Williamsburg United Methodist Church gym. Details: KaySmith2854@gmail.com. Life of Christ, Dec. 8, Monticello. Drivethrough event with life presentations of scenes from birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ; CD with readings and music provided; 5-8 p.m. Free admission. Atwood Water Park. Details: 601-587-3007. Sturgis Community Christmas, Dec. 8, Sturgis. Vendors, pageant, Mr. & Mrs. Claus photos; 9 a.m. Details: 662-418-5538. The Talleys Concert of Christmas Music, Dec. 9, Osyka. Gillsburg Baptist Church; 6 p.m. Love offering. Details: 601-248-7387. Repticon, Dec. 22-23, Southaven. Vendors offering reptile pets, supplies, equipment, plus live animal seminars. Admission. Landers Center. Details: 863-268-4273; Repticon.com.

November / December 2018

Today in Mississippi