Warm and pleasant greetings. We hope you are enjoying a good week.
It’s sweet potato time. Families may enjoy the fresh taste of potatoes. Baked, mashed, roasted, fried, casseroled and you name it, it’s how you like it. There are so many ways to enjoy this tasty root and it’s healthy eating.
You may like a copy of a publication from the Cooperative Extension Service with information all about sweet potatoes. Mississippi plants over 20,000 acres of sweet potatoes each year.
More consumers are buying and eating sweet potatoes. These potatoes should be stored in a cool, dry and well- ventilated space. Do not store in the refrigerator because this will change the flavor and cause the center to harden. Cooked sweet potatoes can be frozen or refrigerated for four or five days.
Most importantly, do not wash potatoes before storing. Washing potatoes adds moisture to them, which causes the growth of fungus and bacteria. That’s why it’s best to only wash potatoes right before you use them.
When the roots develop their flavor and starches are converted into sugar, that gives sweet potatoes their sweetness and flavor that’s called sure cure. Ideal curing conditions are a temperature of 85 degrees with 90% humidity for 5-7 days.
Pink is the color for October and you see it everywhere. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and it’s recognized nationally. This campaign is designed to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, disease treatment and cure. National Breast Cancer Awareness Month was founded in 1985 to promote mammography as the most effective weapon in the fight against breast cancer.
We honor breast cancer survivors and support those dealing with this disease. Being an advocate for American Cancer Society gives me the opportunity to ask for your beginning and continuing support to ACS, which is a nationwide volunteer health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service.
Sunday worship service at New Town Church dedicated time to recognize and celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month. LaJoyce Keglar-Stewart, church member and family practitioner, was speaker for this occasion. She gave an educational and testimonial discussion on breast cancer and how important it is to have a mammogram. She listed resources, gave timely information and offered points on how to have the right consultation with your doctor. Handouts with cancer information were available. “If you or one person may benefit from this information,” said Ms. Stewart, “I have done a good job.”
The fight against cancer is one everyone can join and I hope you will join and become a fighter.
I personally admire Easter Taylor and Tiny Boclair for their continuing effort to observe breast cancer awareness in their community. Tippo community will have its second annual 2-mile walk Saturday, Oct. 28, from 9-10 a m. The group will gather near the Tippo Post Office and all are invited to take part.
The quiet and slow rain shower last week was welcomed as it was good for fall garden (greens), yards, plants and settling the dusty roadway. Equipment and trucks are running in high gear with soybean harvesting.
We hope school students did well with the first nine weeks of examinations. Wishing all a good fall break that follows.
Congratulations to the Charleston High School and West Tallahatchie High School homecoming courts. We congratulate all the young people who are making achievements and being encouraged to do your best. These are times to remember along with your school academics.
One day, you will be celebrating your class reunion with these memories.
We offer our sincere condolences to families and individuals who have lost loved ones at this time.
We are especially remembering the family members and friends of the late Buford and Fannie Taylor in the passing of their daughter, Reverend Jiles J.Taylor-George.
Festers Taylor’s last sister, Nancy, who lives in Jackson, passed away Saturday. She would have been 93 in December.
Enjoy life today. Be blessed.
