December 2022

Christmas is over and I hope you all had a wonderful celebration with family and friends and Santa was very good to you. Now is the time to welcome a New Year. My hopes and Prayers are wishes for a wonderful year of good health and happiness for each and everyone. The tradition of my family on New Year’s Day was always to celebrate the day the old southern way. This is what will be on our table on January 1, 2023: SOUTHERN BLACK-EYED PEAS: Wash dried peas thoroughly and drain. I usually first cut up 3-4 slices of bacon in the bottom of my large pot and cook slowly to render the fat from the bacon and then brown it until crisp. Add the rinsed peas and cover generously with water and season with a little salt. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and let gently boil until very well done and tender. I plan on serving these with the following dishes. COLLARD OR MIXED GREENS: You may want to buy the fresh greens. If you use collard greens, be sure and cut out the tough stem and cook just the leafy part. Boil until tender and then I like to put mine into a skillet with some bacon grease and let fry for a few minutes. May I suggest what I do. I prefer to buy the Glory Brand of greens at the grocery store. These are cooked to perfection and already seasoned and just as good as fresh. Make it simple, that’s the easiest way.!! CORN CASSEROLE 1 can cream corn 2 cans whole kernel corn 1/2 cup chopped onion 1/2 cup pimento 2/3 cup milk 1/2 cup crushed crackers 2 T. melted butter 1 cup grated cheese 2 tsp sugar salt and pepper to taste Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients together and pour into a casserole dish. Bake for 1 hour COLE SLAW: Shred your cabbage very fine or purchase a bag of ready shredded cabbage for slaw. I make my own dressing. Some people prefer a vinegar dressing, but I make mine with about a half cup of Miracle Whip Salad Dressing and add a small amount of sugar, about a tsp. and a sprinkle of salt then enough milk to make a nice dressing consistenc

Earlier this month, many of us gathered in the Old Supreme Court Chamber at our Capitol to celebrate Christmas with some of the children currently in our state’s foster care system. This is an annual event that distributes thousands of gifts and brings countless smiles.

LITTLE ROCK – The legislature’s list of accomplishments in 2022 is lengthy and significant. During a special session in the summer, legislators reduced income taxes for about 1.6 million Arkansas taxpayers by moving up the effective date of the tax cuts adopted last year.

Discovery Park of America Offers Free Admission for Children and $10 Admission for Adults Throughout the Month of January 2023 Union City, Tennessee— Thanks to a partnership with Magnolia Place Assisted Living, children 17 and younger will receive free admission to Discovery Park of America throughout the month of January 2023. Adult general admission will be just $10 in January to kick off the museum and heritage park’s 10th birthday.

with John Allen French, Star Herald Editor December 25 is the day on which we almost all come together, in whatever way, to celebrate a common ancient and significant event. Although our family traditions may vary in the details, there is a common and unifying thread that weaves us together.