FTC Connected May/June 2026

Stone Haven hosts fairy-tale weddings

Get the Support You Need and Avoid Tech Support Schemes

These days, you don’t have to be a technophobe to get fooled by scams. As criminals become more sophisticated, their messages and approaches have become convincing enough to fool anyone.

That’s especially true if you think your computer might be at risk. Tech support scammers often tell elaborate stories to convince people they need to hand over their financial information or remote access to their digital devices.

The Federal Trade Commission offers advice for times you’re unsure about someone claiming to offer technical support and provides steps you can take to protect yourself.

Real tech companies aren’t in the habit of reaching out by phone, email or text message every time your computer might have a problem. If someone does, that’s a red flag.

Legitimate security pop-ups and messages will never tell you to call a phone number for help. If your computer’s security software detects a legitimate problem, it will likely recommend a virus scan and walk you through the process.

Look out for language telling you to move money to “protect it.” Scammers may suggest depositing money in a “federal safety locker” or buying gold to give to someone. These protections are fake, and a real government employee will not demand payment in gold or cash. 

Plan a

Taking a break doesn’t necessarily mean long drives or booking a flight and a pricey hotel. Often, there are a wealth of adventures close to home, which means there’s an affordable summer staycation right outside your door.

Here are a few tips to consider:

BE A TOURIST

Pop online and check out travel sites like TripAdvisor for your area. Are you overlooking destinations closest to you? Make a short list of nearby stops and plan a visit. You may be surprised by what you find.

GEOCACHING

Check your preferred app store for a geocaching app and prepare to enjoy real-world puzzle solving. Often, you’ll be guided to a nearby state or national park where clues will challenge you to find hidden caches.

VIRTUAL CONCERTS

Find a cozy spot and enjoy a virtual concert—as a bonus, there are no crowds. Options include YouTube Live Concerts or NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts. Both serve a range of musical tastes. And look for genre

specific options like K-Love OnDemand, which features Christian artists. All are typically free.

A FAMILY OLYMPICS

Do you need to keep the kids moving? Organize a family Olympics. Go to a local park and choose events to suit all ages and abilities. Then, post your results on your favorite social media and challenge family and friends to join the fun. 

Hit the Books

Story by DREW WOOLLEY

There are few better ways to escape the heat and humidity than with a classic summer read. Finding your next great adventure has never been easier with the vast digital libraries available on the internet. Whether you’re looking to relax with your favorite e-reader or find an audiobook for a long road trip, you can start reading and listening today.

PROJECT GUTENBERG

Since 1971, a veritable army of volunteer book nerds has been expanding and maintaining this digital archive of classic reads as they enter the public domain. Today, the Project Gutenberg library includes over 75,000 free e-books that you can download and read in a web browser or on most mobile devices. While you won’t find the latest bestsellers on Project Gutenberg, it is an excellent place to return to classics like “Pride and Prejudice” or “Moby Dick” without paying a cent.

LIBBY AND HOOPLA

Online troves await digital bookworms

Your library card is already a passport to free reads, but did you know it may also hold the key to a treasure trove of digital books and audiobooks? Apps like Libby and Hoopla let you borrow books and audiobooks from participating libraries around the world simply by linking your card to an account. Check out popular reads on your phone, tablet or browser, but don’t take too long. Just like with your local library, you can only borrow them for a limited time.

LIBRIVOX

If you prefer to sit back and let someone read to you, or if you just

THE WIDE WORLD OF PODCASTS

don’t have the time to sit down with a book, LibriVox is your friend. You can find audiobooks, in various languages, recorded by volunteers worldwide. Much like Project Gutenberg, all LibriVox audiobooks are in the public domain. Audio quality and reading styles can vary widely from one title to the next, but if you’re looking for a free repository of classic audiobooks read by real people, LibriVox has you covered.

Whether you want to dig into a timeless classic, settle in with the latest thriller or listen to a new favorite while tidying up, there have never been more ways to find free books online. Happy reading!

It’s easy to see why podcasts have become so popular in the last decade. Most are free, they’re easy to find and the variety of topics means you’re bound to find something that speaks to you.

If you aren’t sure where to start, platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify and iHeartRadio host thousands of podcasts that explore science, business, comedy, narrative fiction and so much more. Try top-ranked shows or go searching for deep dives on your favorite topics.

Leveling the Playing Field

With broadband, opportunities abound

When we talk about broadband, we often start with the hardware, including the fiber cables, the trucks on the road and the servers humming away in a secure room. But while those pieces are important chapters, they are not the whole story.

PAUL HIGDON Chief Executive Officer

The bigger picture appears when you open your laptop, pick up your phone or power up a tablet. It comes to life when you connect with someone, learn something new or share a piece of your day.

A recent report from the Pew Research Center helps show just how connected our country has become. Today, about 96% of U.S. adults use the internet. That number may not surprise you. Most of us go online every day. Still, for rural communities like ours, that figure means something important. It shows we are closing the digital divide. It means that whether you live on a back road, down a gravel driveway or in the center of town, you can take part in the same online world as someone in a major city.

Pew’s 2025 research also shows that 84% of adults use YouTube. Seventy-one percent use Facebook and about half use Instagram. While I don’t personally use Facebook or Instagram, I recognize that they play an important role for many people. In fact, they are useful tools that help FTC communicate with customers and share important information. We know these platforms certainly have their share of ills, but we recognize they offer many positive benefits. They aren’t just social media sites. They are modern gathering places where people learn, share and build connections.

When more than 8 in 10 adults use YouTube, it becomes more than a video app. It turns into a how-to guide, a classroom and even a stage. You can learn to fix a broken appliance, plant a better garden or understand a moment in history. You can study photography, practice guitar or follow a cooking lesson step by step. For many, it’s a free library of skills and ideas. I find myself using it almost daily for fishing tips and how-to guides.

Facebook and Instagram also bring people together in meaningful ways. They help neighbors spread the word about local events and school programs. They give small businesses a chance to reach customers beyond their storefronts. They allow artists, gardeners and craftspeople to show their work to a wide audience. A favorite travel photo can spark someone else’s adventure. A short video explaining a repair might help a stranger miles away.

What starts as a simple post can grow into a conversation. A conversation can grow into a community. Sometimes, it even grows into a business opportunity. Behind every one of those moments is a reliable broadband connection working quietly in the background.

At FTC, our job is to make sure that the connection is steady and ready when you need it. We handle the maintenance, the upgrades and the long-term planning, so your service is dependable and always connected.

Maybe you use that connection to learn a new skill. Maybe you use it to promote a local event, sell handmade goods or share family milestones with loved ones far from home. Creativity always starts with one person willing to try. We’re proud our cooperative helps make that possible. I’d love to hear how you’re using FTC broadband to connect, create and share your corner of the world. We might even write an article about you. 

Connected is a bimonthly magazine published by Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative, © 2026. It is distributed without charge to all customers of FTC.

FTC is the state’s largest member-owned provider of telecommunications services. It serves Northeast Alabama with a robust broadband network using world-class optical fiber technology.

Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc.

P.O. Box 217 • 144 McCurdy Ave. N. Rainsville, AL 35986

Telephone: 256-638-2144 farmerstel.com

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Randy Wright, President Flat Rock Exchange

Garry Smith, Vice President Fyffe Exchange

Danny R. Richey, Secretary Geraldine Exchange

Lynn Welden, Treasurer Bryant Exchange

Kenneth Gilbert Pisgah Exchange

Gregg Griffith Henagar Exchange

Randy Tumlin Rainsville Exchange

Produced for FTC by:

On the Cover: Stone Haven event venue in Section hosts lavish weddings for couples from California to New York and everywhere in between. See story Page 8.

During its 2026 RTIME conference, NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association recognized rural telecom leaders who have shown exceptional commitment to their communities and the industry. Two of FTC team members, JT Traylor and Fred Johnson, were honored to receive the distinguished awards in Orlando.

FTC TEAM MEMBERS EARN AWARDS

NTCA CEO Shirley Bloomfield presents FTC lineworker JT Traylor with the Heroism Award for rescuing a co-worker experiencing a medical emergency.

BYLAWS

Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative is required by the Rural Utilities Service to give members the following information before the annual meeting.

BYLAWS – ARTICLE IV | SECTION 2. Election and Tenure of Office

The Co-op is divided into seven (7) geographic service areas, and from each such service area there shall be elected one trustee to the Board. Members shall be eligible to vote for every Trustee. The geographic service areas are set forth as follows: Bryant, Flat Rock, Fyffe, Geraldine, Henagar, Pisgah and Rainsville as the same are shown on the map or plat of the service area on file in the office of the Co-op at Rainsville, Alabama, to which such map or plat thereof reference is here made for a more complete description of said service areas. The Trustees shall be elected by secret ballot for a term of three years on a rotating basis with the Trustees from the Pisgah, Bryant and Geraldine service areas being elected at the annual meeting of the members of the Co-op in August 1991, the Trustees from the Rainsville and Fyffe service areas being elected at the annual meeting of the members of the Co-op in August of 1992, and the Trustees from the Flat Rock and Henagar service areas being elected at the annual meeting of the members in August of 1993. And after their election, the Trustees shall continue to serve until the election of Trustees at the annual meeting of the members of the Co-op at which their term expires or if no election shall be then held, the Trustees shall continue to hold office until their successors shall have been elected and shall have qualified. If an election of Trustees shall not be held on the day designated herein for the annual meeting or at any adjournment thereof, a special meeting of the members shall be held for the purpose of electing Trustees within a reasonable time thereafter. Trustees may be elected by a

Bloomfield presents former FTC CEO Fred Johnson with the James L. Bass Manager Life Achievement Award. Fred made a significant impact at FTC and served on numerous state and national industry boards and committees, leaving a lasting legacy.

plurality vote of the members. Trustees shall be nominated and elected as provided hereinafter.

SECTION 3. Qualifications

Any member shall be eligible to be nominated, elected and remain a Trustee of the Co-op who: (a) Resides in the geographic area for which the Trustee is elected and has resided there for more than two hundred forty (240) days during the preceding twelve (12) month period, (b) Is not an employee of the Co-op or a wholly owned subsidiary of the Co-op or in any way financially interested in a competing enterprise or a business engaged in the selling of end user communications services or supplies or maintaining communication facilities other than a business operating on a cooperative nonprofit basis for the purpose of furthering rural telephony. Provided however that a member of the Board of Directors of any subsidiary corporation wholly owned by the Co-op, who is not otherwise employed by such subsidiary, shall not be considered as an employee of such subsidiary for the purpose of determining qualification to serve as a Trustee of the Co-op. (c) Is not closely related to an incumbent Trustee or an employee of the Co-op. As used herein, “closely related” means a person who is related to the principal person by consanguinity or affinity, to the second degree or less, i.e., a person who is either a spouse, child, grandparent, grandchild, parent, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, nephew or niece by blood, marriage, adoption or in-law of the principal. However, no incumbent Trustee shall lose eligibility to remain a Trustee or to be re-elected as a Trustee if such Trustee becomes a close relative of another incumbent Trustee or of a Co-op employee because of marriage to which the Trustee was not a party; neither shall an employee lose eligibility to continue in the employment of the Co-op if he or she becomes a close relative of a Trustee because of a marriage to which he or she was not a party. (d) To remain a trustee, the incumbent must attend fifty percent (50%) or more of the regular meetings of the Trustees during each twelve

(12) month period beginning with the month of a trustee’s election. The President or Secretary shall provide prompt notice of any violation of this section which would disqualify a member from service on the Board, at which time such member’s office shall be deemed vacant. Nothing contained in this Section shall invalidate any prior action taken at any meeting of the Board of Trustees.

SECTION

4. Nominations

It shall be the duty of the Board to appoint not less than fifty (50) nor more than ninety (90) days before the date of a meeting of the members at which trustees are to be elected, a committee on nominations consisting of not less than five nor more than eleven members who shall be selected from across the Co-op’s service territory so as to assure equitable representation of the members. No member of the Board may serve on such committee. The committee, keeping in mind the qualifications for office, shall meet and prepare and post at the principal office of the Co-op at least forty-five (45) days before the meeting a list of nominations for trustees which shall include at least two candidates for each trustee position to be elected. Any fifteen (15) or more members acting together may make other nominations by petition by delivering such petition to the headquarters of the Cooperative during normal office hours not less than forty-five (45) days prior to the meeting, and the Secretary shall post such nominations at the same place where the list of nominations made by the committee is posted. The Secretary shall mail with the notice of the meeting or separately, but at least fourteen (14) days before the date of the meeting, a statement of the number of trustees to be elected and the name and addresses of the candidates, specifying separately the nominations made by the committee and the nominations made by petition, if any. The ballot to be used at the election shall list the names of the candidates nominated by the committee and the names of the candidates nominated by petition, if any.

Rv There Yet?

Step off the beaten path at a campground

Story by DREW WOOLLEY

With remote work becoming more mainstream, it has never been easier to hit the road in a recreational vehicle. As more Americans realize the appeal of making their office a national park one day and a beach the next, 16.9 million households are interested in buying an RV in the next five years, according to the RV Industry Association.

“There are so many great things happening this year, from America’s 250th birthday to the World Cup,” says Monika Geraci, a spokesperson for Go RVing. “People are discovering that RVing is one of the best and most affordable ways to be a part of the action and see incredible places across the country.”

GETTING STARTED

When it comes to choosing an RV, there are options. At its most basic, you can pack a car with gear and head out. If you’re ready for more, renting an RV is a possibility. Of course you can also buy your own. About 90% of all RVs produced are towable, which can be an affordable solution.

When planning your first trip, Monika recommends staying close to home. Pick a destination just 30 or 40 miles away so you can learn how to work the water and power hookups in a lowstakes environment. The one challenge new campers shouldn’t stress about is backing up the RV.

“Everyone is a beginner once,” she says. “Most people in the RV community are incredibly helpful. If you’re struggling, a neighbor will likely offer to spot you.”

MAKING CAMP

Once you’re on the road, you’ll have plenty of pit stops to choose from. Deciding where to pull over and stretch your legs will mostly depend on the camping experience you want.

RV parks and resorts: These are the best sites for beginners and families. With amenities like pools, Wi-Fi and full hookups for your utilities, you’ll have everything you need to keep everyone comfortable and happy.

State and national parks: The place to be for anyone looking to get away from it all and enjoy some incredible scenery. Just don’t expect the same amenities and ease of use you’ll find at an RV park.

Off the beaten path: There are plenty of apps and online platforms that can help you find low-cost or even free “boondocking” options, meaning a dry camp without utility hookups. These can range from sites on private and public land to secluded spots that provide truly one-of-a-kind experiences. 

Yet?

THE 2-2-2 RULE

Burnout on long drives is a real concern for beginners and veterans alike. A good rule of thumb to keep from overdoing it is to travel in twos:

Drive no more than 200 miles at a time.

Arrive at your destination by 2 p.m.

Stay for at least two nights.

Following the 2-2-2 Rule can help drivers stay fresh and ensure everyone has time to enjoy the destination, rather than watching the world through a windshield.

CAN’T-MISS STOPOVERS

Anchor Down RV Resort sits on Douglas Lake in Tennessee with views of the Great Smoky Mountains. Full-service sites with access to boating, paddling, fishing and scenic drives make it a perfect base for exploring the area.

If you’re longing for something more coastal, don’t skip Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in the Florida Panhandle. With a combination of dune lakes, beach access and convenient RV hookups, it blends natural beauty with biking, bird-watching and swimming excursions.

Love Destination

Luxury weddings come with a priceless view

Story by MELANIE JONES

Positioned on a bluff high above a valley is a stone house with many gables, an expanse of windows, two towers and a chimney. Nearby is a glass, iron-framed atrium with three crystal chandeliers casting light and shadows across the space. A stone patio with terraced seating edged in a decorative railing overlooks the river and miles of colorful trees below. The view is expansive and the accommodations luxe.

This isn’t an estate for European royals. It’s Stone Haven event venue in Section, perched above the Tennessee River. And it can be yours for a day.

“We have a ton of destination weddings,” says Danielle Sims, who owns Stone Haven with her husband, Taylor.

“About 40% of our brides travel in for their weddings. This year, we have several coming from places like California, New York, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Our closest brides are typically from Huntsville, but most of our semi-local clients come from surrounding states like Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida.”

SOCIAL MEDIA DARLING

Danielle shares photos and videos of the venue on social media, and Stone Haven’s TikTok videos receive thousands of views, with one cracking over 1 million. The comments on the social media posts are overwhelmingly positive, with people who aren’t even engaged yet dreaming of holding their weddings here.

“TikTok and Instagram have been some of our biggest marketing tools, for sure. And honestly, 80% of our clients are coming from TikTok right now,” she says. “It’s been kind of crazy, kind of surreal.”

And the clients keep coming. As of February, the venue had 109 weddings booked for 2026. Stone Haven also welcomes couples interested in weekday microweddings and elopements.

VENUE GETS SOME LOVE

This is the couple’s second wedding venue. Danielle and Taylor bought Ridge Pointe, a property in Alpine, Alabama, in 2019 and hosted the first wedding there in 2021.“We have full-time staff there that run that venue,” Danielle says. “That

allowed us to branch out, and we were ready to stretch and do something new. We weren’t sure if it would be another venue or if it was going to be another kind of business venture.”

When Taylor found the property they named Stone Haven for sale on Facebook, the couple knew they had to have it. Danielle, who was a wedding

photographer before going into the event venue business, had taken photos there before. When Taylor showed Danielle the Facebook listing, she was onboard. “I said, ‘Yeah, I know the place. It’s beautiful.’”

But they decided it could be even more elegant. “The view is stunning, but the facility definitely needed a little bit of love,” Danielle says.

STONE HAVEN

6348 County Road 44, Section 256-404-4136

stonehavenevent.com

Find Stone Haven on Instagram and TikTok

WEDDINGS WITH A VIEW

The outdoor ceremony patio is popular. “That view is breathtaking,” Danielle says. “That’s what my husband and I always say. It’s the one thing we obviously did not build, but we were lucky enough to find the property and kind of create the vision around that and make the facilities to match how awesome the view is.”

The 50-acre property also features a grand hall, a 40-by-80-foot enclosed structure, as the main venue. The all-glass conservatory measures 40-by-50 feet. A bridal suite attached to the back of the venue provides a place for the brides to prepare for Sunday ceremonies.

Saturday brides get ready in the Rock House, a 5,000-square-foot home, where they and their bridesmaids can spend the night together before the wedding. There’s also a groom’s lounge on the property, as well as a new Italian-style tiny home where the bride and groom can spend their first night as a married couple.

“We make it a whole experience for them,” Danielle says.

Reliable, high-speed Wi-Fi from Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative is available at the venue, and the couple plans to extend it to the house, honeymoon suite and groom’s lounge on the property.

Taylor and Danielle stay busy between the two venues, but they enjoy every minute of it.

“It sounds cliche, but my husband and I both just love love. Out of all of the businesses you can be a part of and all of the things you can do with your life, choosing to be a part of the best day of someone’s life is definitely rewarding and just amazing,” Danielle says. 

Wiener take all!

Dash to a dachshund race for a howling good time

Story by SARA DIAMOND PATTERSON

Can you see a wiener dog and not smile? Most people can’t. With their extra-long bodies, wide smiles and constantly wagging tails, dachshunds just look silly. And they know it.

“Dachshunds make people smile because they’re tiny dogs with huge personalities,” says Debbie Kiker, dachshund enthusiast and director of Alabama’s Hueytown Chamber of Commerce. “Watching them waddle and wiggle, it’s impossible not to laugh—it’s pure happiness on four short legs.”

Developed in Germany to hunt badgers, dachshunds’ powerful, slinky build, strong jaws and distinctively loud voices were perfect for that calling. Some 300 years later, they’re more adept at burrowing into the covers and hunting down snacks. Today they’re seeing success in a different sort of sport.

SPEED DEMONS

When you think of dachshunds, speed likely doesn’t come to mind, but they can run up to 15-20 mph for very short distances. Some folks in Australia noticed this, and in the 1970s began what evolved into today’s dachshund racing.

More chaos than competition, there’s no official standard, but most racecourses are 50-100 yards long. Each dog has a two-person entourage. One handler waits at the starting line with a pup to send flying to the other, who motivates the racer with a squeaky toy, snack or just love at the finish line.

The Hueytown Chamber brings the doxies to town as part of PAW Palooza, a full day celebrating all things canine.

“What I love best about the weenie dog races is the smiles, and it brings the community together,” Debbie says. “The dogs steal the show, and it’s all just good, lighthearted fun. Just being involved is the fun of it all, seeing the dogs run, or wander, and the crowd cheering. Everyone is just enjoying the moment. Some dogs sprint, and some stop and sniff. Every run is a surprise.”

The chamber is considering moving PAW Palooza to April, as September can be a little steamy for tiny-legged racers so close to the ground. For updates, find PAW Palooza & Wiener Dog Race on Facebook. 

F A C T S AND FANS D OXIE

National Dachshund Day is June 21, the longest day of the year.

Napoleon Bonaparte was very fond of his dachshunds. The last four he owned are reportedly buried with him in the four pedestals holding his sarcophagus at Les Invalides in Paris.

John Wayne’s dachshund, Blackie, alerted his family to a house fire in 1958 in Encino, California, while the actor was filming on location in Japan.

“Being the owner of dachshunds, to me a book on dog discipline becomes a volume of inspired humor. Every sentence is a riot.”

—“Charlotte’s Web” author E.B. White

“Nothing will turn a man’s home into a castle more quickly and effectively than a dachshund.”

—Queen Victoria

FAMOUS DACHSHUNDS

Crusoe

A miniature black and tan from Canada, Crusoe enjoys internet fame for his pet blog, New York Times’ bestselling book and YouTube videos in homemade costumes. More than 3 million people follow him and his brother, Oakley, on Facebook.

Slinky Dog from ‘Toy Story’

Part metal, part dog, all heart, Slinky Dog is quite possibly the most famous doxie of all, introducing generations of children to the breed.

Lump

Pablo Picasso was, by all accounts, smitten with his dachshund, Lump, and incorporated the pup into many of his later pieces.

Honored to Local group provides military honors at veterans’ funerals

Story by MELANIE JONES

Military funerals in television shows and movies always include scenes of funeral honors that may include a rifle salute and a folded flag solemnly presented to mourning relatives. But for years, there was no one to provide those services for fallen veterans in Northeast Alabama.

“Normally, the branch of service they served in will send out a couple of members in some cases if they have ample time to provide the honors for the veterans who pass away,” says Edward Newman, commander of the Ider American Legion Honor Guard Team. “But we didn’t have anything that was being done locally in our community.”

In 2018, local members of the American Legion decided to change that and formed an honor guard in conjunction with members of the Trenton, Georgia, post.

Funeral homes contact the honor guard to present at a funeral once the family provides the veteran’s honorable discharge papers.

The Ider Honor Guard Team has provided funeral honors for 234 Alabama veterans. When funerals including members of the Trenton Honor Guard are added in, that number tops 500.

SERVICES DETAILED

The first step the guard provides is a flag of the veteran’s branch of service to be displayed during visitation. They then provide guard duty, with a member of the honor guard standing watch at the casket for an hour before service.

At the graveside ceremony, the honor guard members fold an American flag while reciting the meaning of each of the 13 folds

DONATIONS ACCEPTED

The Ider Honor Guard is a nonprofit unit and does not charge for its services. Supplies needed to operate the rifles, blank ammunition, forms and cards can be costly. Donations can be sent to Ider Honor Guard Team, Attn: Larry Tilley, P.O. Box 220, Ider, AL 35981.

Serve

They then present the flag to the family, along with a packet of papers from the American Legion and a paper detailing the meaning of the 13 folds, a certificate honoring the veteran’s service and a card from honor guard members who served.

The honor guard can also provide a rifle tribute and the playing of "Taps.”

FAMILIES FIND PEACE

“I think it’s meaningful for the veteran and their families for us to provide the service,” Edward says. “We get a lot of good comments and cards when we do a presentation for a veteran.”

The veterans’ families aren’t the only ones who benefit.

Members of the honor guard do as well. “I get a good deal of pleasure to provide something back for our veterans who served our country,” Edward says.

Twenty-one members of the honor guard from American Legion posts throughout the region are available to serve, and they do so with honor. 

THE MEANING BEHIND THE FOLDS

A properly folded American flag is triangular, and each of its 13 folds carries significant meaning.

Edward Newman, commander of the Ider American Legion Post Honor Guard, shares what the honor guard members recite at military funerals as they make each fold with permission of the family.

• The first fold represents life.

• The second fold represents our belief in eternal life.

• The third fold represents our fallen veteran and all veterans who gave a portion of their life to serve their country.

• The fourth fold represents our human nature and the need to turn to our creator in times of challenge to make the right decisions as citizens and as a nation.

• The fifth fold represents our country, and in the words of Stephen Decatur, in dealing with other nations, may our country always be right, but right or wrong, it is still our country.

• The sixth fold represents our armed forces, for it is they who protect this country and this flag against all enemies foreign and domestic.

• The seventh fold represents our heart, for it is with our hearts that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands.

• The eighth fold is in honor of our mothers, and it is in their honor that the flag is flown on Mother’s Day.

• The ninth fold is honor of all womanhood, for their love, courage and devotion in developing responsible citizens and our nation’s great leaders.

• The 10th fold is in honor of our fathers, for it is the fathers who give their sons and daughters to serve this country.

• The 11th fold is in honor of our Hebrew citizens, and the folded flag reminds them of the half Star of David and their devotion to God.

• The 12th fold is in honor of our Christian citizens and their belief in eternal life.

• The 13th and final fold, when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of the national motto, “In God We Trust.”

Also of note, the three corners of the folded flag honor the tricorn hats worn by the original members of the Revolutionary Army. The black packet inserted in the flag represents three spent shells, which signify honor, duty and country.

Redemption Recipes

Brussels sprouts, kale and other greens, peas, mushrooms or pickled beets. There’s a long list of foods that grossed us out as kids. Sprouts were squishy. Greens were bitter. Peas were pushed to the side. Pickled beets were vinegary, and mushrooms were just strangely mushy.

So why is it that as we age, some of us grow to love those foods?

“As infants and children, we are born preferring sweet tastes,” says registered dietitian Danielle Townsend. “As we age, our other taste senses develop, which opens up our palette to foods that we didn’t like before.”

Here are some ideas using those once-hated ingredients in dishes that just might become part of your regular dinner rotation.

Food Editor Anne P. Braly is a native of Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Childhood dinner villains return as comfort-food heroes

TUSCAN SPINACH CHICKEN

1 tablespoon olive oil

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Sea salt, to taste

Ground black pepper, to taste

1 teaspoon oregano

3 tablespoons butter

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1 teaspoon garlic powder

3 cups baby spinach

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated Lemon wedges, for serving

Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and season with salt, pepper and oregano. Cook until browned on both sides, about 8 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

In the same skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add cherry tomatoes and season with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Cook until the tomatoes begin to soften, then add the spinach and cook until it starts to wilt.

Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan and bring mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer until sauce is slightly reduced, about 3 minutes. Return chicken to skillet and cook until heated through, 5 to 7 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges.

PEA SALAD WITH SMOKED

2 16-ounce packages frozen peas

6 ounces smoke-flavored almonds, finely chopped

1/2 sweet onion or more to taste, finely chopped 1/2 cup mayonnaise or reduced-fat mayonnaise 1/2 cup sour cream or light sour cream

Ground black pepper, to taste

1/2-1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

ALMONDS

Place frozen peas in a colander and rinse under cold water until thawed. Drain and transfer to a large bowl. Add almonds and onions. Mix well. Fold mayonnaise, sour cream and black pepper into the pea mixture until evenly coated. Transfer to a serving container and top with shredded cheese. Cover and refrigerate until serving.

ROASTED BEET PANNA COTTA WITH CANDIED WALNUTS

1 pound beets, scrubbed with stems removed

1 teaspoon powdered gelatin

2 tablespoons water

2 cups heavy cream, divided

3 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons lemon juice

CANDIED WALNUTS

1/2 cup walnuts

1/4 cup maple syrup

Preheat oven to 400 F.

Wrap each beet loosely in foil and roast on a baking sheet for 1 hour or until tender. Remove beets from the oven and set aside to cool.

Stir the gelatin and water together in a small bowl. Let soak for 5 minutes.

Peel and discard the beet skins and place flesh in a blender along with 1 cup heavy cream. Puree until smooth.

Combine the remaining cream with the sugar and lemon juice in a large pot over medium heat. Warm until the cream becomes hot to the touch, but not boiling. Add the softened gelatin, remove from heat and stir until dissolved. Add the pureed beet mixture to the pot and stir until combined. Pour into a desired vessel, such as a pie plate. Let chill completely before serving, at least 4 hours.

CHEESY BAKED BRUSSELS SPROUTS

slices bacon tablespoons butter small shallots, finely chopped pounds Brussels sprouts, halved Kosher salt

Cayenne pepper, to taste cup heavy cream cup Swiss or Gouda cheese, shredded cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 375 F.

Cook bacon in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crispy, about 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon,

For the walnuts: Combine the walnuts and syrup in a saute pan over medium heat and cook the nuts, stirring constantly, until the sugar dries and crystallizes, about 5 minutes. Set the nuts aside to cool.

To serve, spoon the panna cotta into individual serving dishes and garnish with candied walnuts.

transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and let cool slightly. Discard bacon fat.

Return the skillet to medium heat and melt butter. Add shallots and Brussels sprouts. Season with salt and cayenne. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, transfer bacon to a cutting board and finely chop.

Remove skillet from heat and drizzle with cream. Top with Swiss cheese, cheddar and bacon. Bake the casserole until the cheese is bubbly, 12 to 15 minutes.

NOTE: If the cheese isn’t nicely browned, broil, watching closely, for about 1 minute.