Peek Into Christmas 2017 by Journal Inc

PEEK INTO

Christmas

2017

A supplement of the Pontotoc Progress

Contents

Table Of

6 Stepping Out On The Town 8 Stiching Up Christmas 12 Christmas Decorating Vintage Style 25 Recipes For Your Holiday Feast 38 The Lost Art Of Formal Table Decorating 42 Through A Child’s Eye 47 Come Away To Bethlehem 51 Christmas Parades 55 Christmas Calendar

Advertisers

AlleyMed..............................................44 Antiques in Pontotoc...........................54 Bank of Pontotoc.................................46 Bella Rose.............................................52 Beneficial Finance...............................54 Boyles Tire & Auto Care....................52 Christian Connections........................33 Circle of Friends..................................40 Cow Creek Towing..............................18 Distinctive Design...............................17 Endville Storage...................................37 First Choice Bank...............Back Cover Flowers By Redele...............................46 Friendship Medical Clinic..................50 Friendship Pharmacy..........................50 Friendship Travel Center....................50 Happy Day Cafe...................................18 Hwy 15 Grill.........................................35 2

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Market Basket.....................................24 McCoy’s Meat Market........................33 Merle Norman.....................................52 Michael Jolly - Shelter Insurance......35 Montgomery Drugs............................37 Moore’s................................................10 Mossy Oak Properties........................41 Peoples Finance...................................52 Pontotoc Check Delay.........................44 Pontotoc Home Center........................46 Pontotoc Loans....................................41 Pontotoc Progress...............................36 Pontotoc Title Loans...........................44 Progressive Shoe.................................11 Pure Bliss.............................................11 Physical Therapy..................................33 RedMed................................................35 Regional Home Center........................46

Renasant Bank.....................................11 Rogers Furniture...................................5 Rustic Woods........................................33 Shannon & Graham Eye Clinic..........54 Spuds....................................................23 Sydnei’s Kitchen..................................22 The Carousel........................................41 The Gift Shop.......................................18 The Rack..............................................16 The Red Door.........................................4 Trend To Pretend................................22 True Blue.............................................54 True Valuables.....................................37 Wade.....................................................22 Wood Eye Clinic..................................17 Young’s Tire.........................................45

We hope you enjoy our debut Peek into Christmas magazine Back in 1994, Lisa Bryant, who was the ad director for the Pontotoc Progress at the time, introduced the community to A Peek into Christmas. She and Santa Clause traipsed all over Pontotoc County grinning and taking pictures and watching young and old alike cheer up at the sight of the jolly man in the red suit. The concept was to let folks see what the advertisers in Pontotoc have to offer you, and show you that you can indeed find anything you want for Christmas is right here with your hometown merchants. The idea, and the advertisers who have bought into it, has grown through the years. Each new ad director that has come in since Bryant have understood that Santa is coming to town in the fall and there will be two busy weeks. Over the past couple or three years, we have discussed the idea of taking it to a whole new level and publishing a magazine. Out of that discussion and with a lot of hard work you are holding in your hand the inaugural Peek into Christmas in magazine form. We wanted it to have good content and we wanted the advertisers to have a different format to show off their wares with Santa. This is something that we want you to lay on your coffee table or beside your bed so that you can refer to it throughout the Christmas season. Look and see what the store owners in Pontotoc have to offer. Refer to it if you wonder about a community wide event that will take place. Please enjoy it and with it we wish you a very Merry Peek into Pontotoc’s Christmas! The Staff of the Pontotoc Progress

On The Cover PEEK INTO

Christmas

2017

Santa paused for a refreshing “bottle of Pepsi®” at Antiques Downtown mimicking the vintage Santa Poster. He visited places far and wide all through Pontotoc, so make sure you look at all the different advertisements to see where he made his appearance in Pontotoc this year.

PONTOTOC PROGRESS STAFF General Manager Lisa Bryant Managing Editor David Helms Staff Reporter Regina Butler Sports Editor Jonathan Wise Advertising & Editorial Design Chelsea Williams Advertising Consultant Angie Quarles Office Manager Joyce Jolly

Pontotoc Progress 13 Jefferson Street P.O. Box 210 Pontotoc, MS 38863 Phone: (662) 489-3511 Fax: (662) 489-1369 www.djournal.com/pontotoc

A supplement of the Pontoc Progress

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Stepping Out On The Town

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Karly Warren

hat to wear? What to wear? When it comes time to step out on the town this Christmas there is something you should remember. Women styles are trending toward the late 70s early 80s look. Karley Warren at True Blue said the hot fabric for the Christmas season is “definitely velvet. Little blue denim skirts are also in,” she said. With those denim skirts you should wear oversized cardigan sweaters, and if you want to step out in a casual look, joggers are in this year. Joggers are a softer material pants that are almost like pajamas but well appointed and fashionable. In the shoes you can choose from the boot look to “chunky clogs.” And to top all this off, “embroidered bomber jackets made of the velvet material is also all the rave this year,” she said. And what about jewelry? Some ladies just can’t be seen in public without something shiny around their neck.

By: Regina Butler, Pontotoc Progress “Layered jewelry is definitely in,” Warren noted. “That means you wear a short one and a longer one and a longer one. Also drop chains that are rosary style will be in fashion.” Now when you go to town you are usually going to shop so you need the latest color and fashion in purses. “Earthen and jewel tones are popular. Mustard is a big color this year. Also there are a mixture of textures from leather to smooth,” she said. Now what about the men’s wear? Shea Marcum at the Red Door said flannels are big this season. “Vests to match your dress shirts, and fleece pull overs. Quilted jackets, wrinkle resistant shirts and pads are a hot item.” And if you want to know what to dress your boys in, see the list above. The well dressed man has to have his accessories as well with Bertucci watches, Smathers and Branson Accessories and Jack Black cologne. So take some of these fashion ideas and mix and match until you find your unique style to step out on the town. Peek Into Christmas 2017

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Stitching Up

oooo you are sitting back and enjoying the last bit of the Thanksgiving holidays and remember, OH NO! Christmas Eve is a month away! What ever will I get great Aunt Sally? Or grandma? Never fear, if you take out that trusty crochet hook you can make things for those on your Christmas list like Jill Westmoreland and Judy Rutledge at Needle Art Fabrics and Needles and Pens. “You can crochet a wrist warmer, which is a fingerless glove that slips over the hand and covers the wrists,” said Rutledge. “Boot toppers and the cowl [infinity scarf] are still popular or you can make a readers lap pad. If you get a big hook and chunky yarn you can make something like that in no time.” The lap pad would spread across the readers lap and have a pocket on each side to hold books, glasses or anything else the reader needs to be comfortable when outside reading or in the easy chair. Other ideas that Rutledge suggested were dish towels, pot holders or cup cozy. Westmoreland, who works with fabrics, said you can “quickly do a quilted pillow sham. Or you can get a kindergarten mat and sew a cotton or flannel covering for it and make a pillow to match.” Westmoreland said you can also make the readers lap pad out of material. But what about those youngsters? Give them a pile of old buttons and let them become little budding artists. Frame their pictures and the little masterpieces will be ready to evoke memories of mama and grandmama. Let the pictures give you some ideas and stitch up Christmas in no time.

Christmas

By: Regina Butler, Pontotoc Progress

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Christmas Decorating

Vintage Style By: Regina Butler, Pontotoc Progress

Dr. Miriam Clark

f you are looking to wow them at Christmas this year forget all the glitz and glam of the big box stores. Crawl up into grandma’s attic and see what she has there. Dr. Miriam Clark said there are many different ways you can decorate this year without breaking the pocket book. “Mix cotton with natural greenery,” she said. “That is the big thing this year. But make sure you wait until a couple of days before Christmas before you bring the natural greenery inside so it won’t be a fire hazard. Until then you can put some fake greenery out and mix the natural in with it so it will smell. You have to have that fresh greenery smell in your house to make it feel like Christmas.” Clark said that you also don’t have to go out and buy a tree stand. “An old bucket inside a wooden fish basket makes a cute tree stand.” Do you have the windows from grandma’s house stored away somewhere? Bring them out and put them in a safe place inside your house or on any of your porches. “Hang a fresh green wreath on it, or you can paint snow scenes in the windows if you are artistically inclined.” Clark said that an old quilt around the bottom of the tree makes a charming vintage tree skirt. Do you want your tree to be personalized? “Why not

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get those pictures of great grandma and grandpa and make copies of them and put them in small inexpensive frames and hang them on the tree,” she said. “It is a great way to share your family heritage with the generations after you. These type of pictures evoke family stories you may not have told for years.” However, Clark said that if you want to have vintage pictures on your tree and don’t have any of your own, “You can buy them or you can download old 14

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pictures from the computer.” As you are decorating your Christmas tree the colors of the year are the vintage red, green and gold plaids. “Just tie a simple bow or tie the ribbon to the top of small glass ornaments. The possibilities are endless.” And make sure you spread the Christmas cheer throughout the house. “Put a small tree in a little wagon and put colored lights on it. You can also stick a teddy bear beside it or a few toys in the

wagon with it.” Spread the cheer in the kids room with small vintage toys under a simple little tree or just put a little Santa Claus on their dresser. “Do you have grandma’s old plastic nativity scene? Pull it out, it doesn’t matter if some of the paint is worn, that’s what makes it charming.” However you plan to decorate, give it your own personal touch that will be remembered by your children and grandchildren for years to come.

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Lighting Up

Christmas Memories

heir eyes light up as they see the lights twinkle in the night. Near by a larger than life Santa waves at them from the yard and Frosty sits in his own little bubble as the snow swirls around his wry smile. There is nothing prettier than seeing all the lights brightening winter nights. Christmas is a time when folks pull out the decorations and make a show case out of their home and their yard not just for their family entertainment but for the 20

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By: Regina Butler, Pontotoc Progress whole neighborhood to enjoy. But the risk of electrical shock is great if you don’t make sure your cords and your decorations are rated for outdoor use. Chuck Howell, Pontotoc Electric Power Association Director, gave some advice for those who are going to be lighting their yard into a winter wonderland this year. “Pay attention to the cords,” he said. “There will be a tag on the cord that tells

you if it is for outdoor use and if it says indoor only, don’t put it outside.” Howell also said it is important to inspect all cords that are laid on the ground outside. From year to year they can become frayed or chewed on by rodents or other animals such as your dog. “If any insulation at all has been torn off or if you can see the copper wiring inside, throw it away. Don’t try to tape it and go on. It is not safe to use outdoors.” The importance of this is because rain

water can seep into the cord around the tape and shock you if you step on or around it in wet weather. Howell also advised to change lighting to the new LED type. “You can save on energy,” he pointed out. “LED lighting doesn’t draw but about 1/8 of the energy of the incandescent bulbs. They are also cooler and won’t dry your tree out as fast.” And when it comes to stringing together multiple strings of Christmas lights, Howell advised not to put together any more than three strings. He also said that it is best to get a heavy extension cord if your tree is far from a wall socket; or for lighting up the decorations in the yard. Another piece of advice Howell had for those who burn outdoor lighting, is to put it on a timer. “A timer only costs about $5 or $6 and you can plug your main cord into it and set it to come on around 4:30 - 5 p.m and go off at 10 - 12 p.m. Make sure you get a timer that says it is a 24 hour timer. This will conserve on your electricity bill since the lights won’t be burning all night and you don’t have to remember to turn them off.” On a final note Howell advised those who have space heaters not to put them close to the Christmas tree or to move furniture near them when you re-arrange your room for the tree. “Whether it is gas or electric, if you put a piece of furniture in front of it and the thermostat happens to be off and when you go away, the thermostat comes on, you are creating a fire hazard. Don’t even leave it temporarily, even if you are at home.” So follow these timely tips and have a safe, shock free, fire free Christmas. Peek Into Christmas 2017

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Recipes For Your

Holiday Feast

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Breads Amish Banana Bread

Amish Banana Bread

Even if you have a favorite recipe for banana bread, give Amish Banana Bread a try for something a bit different and special. What You’ll Need: 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1 cup sugar 2 eggs, lightly beaten 3 ripe bananas, mashed 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons milk 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract What To Do: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9- x 5-inch loaf pan. Place oil in a large bowl. Gradually add sugar while beating lightly. Add eggs and continue beating. Add mashed bananas and beat just until moistened; set aside. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add dry mixture to banana mixture and beat just until moistened. Add milk and vanilla, and continue beating just until mixed then pour into prepared loaf pan. Bake 50 to 60 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pan on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. Turn out onto rack and cool completely. www.mrfood.com

Cranberry Bliss Bread

You’ll experience pure bliss after just one bite of our Cranberry Bliss Bread. This homemade cranberry nut bread is so special-tasting, you might want to make a few loaves at a time to share with loved ones (it’s a great homemade gift for the holidays!). When you’re ready to enjoy 26

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your own, slather on some butter and let the goodness sink in! What You’ll Need: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup (1-1/2) sticks butter, softened 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1 1/2 cups sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 3 eggs 1 1/2 cups cranberries (fresh or frozen) 1/2 cup chopped walnuts What To Do: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9- x 5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In another large bowl with an electric mixer, combine butter, cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and eggs; beat until blended. Slowly add flour mixture to cream cheese mixture until combined. Stir in cranberries and nuts, then pour into pan. Bake 80 to 85 minutes, or or until a

toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pan 10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Chunky Apple Bran Muffins

Applesauce takes the place of higher-fat oils here to add just the right moistness and flavor for our healthier-style Chunky Apple Bran Muffins. These muffins get the added plus of being made from egg whites and a bran muffin mix. What You’ll Need: 2 egg whites 1 cup chunky applesauce 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 (7-ounce) box bran muffin mix (plain or with dates) What To Do: Preheat oven to 400 degree F. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Spoon mixture evenly into 8 lined muffin cups and bake 15 to 20 minutes, or until muffins are golden. www.mrfood.com

Meats Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs

For this crowd-pleasing appetizer, all you have to do is mix together flavorings with prepared frozen meatballs and let the slow cooker do all the cooking! Our Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs are easy to make, easy to bring along, and easy to clean up! What You’ll Need: 1 (9- to 10-ounce) jar sweet and sour sauce 1/4 cup light brown sugar 3 tablespoons soy sauce 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 2 1/2 pounds frozen meatballs 1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 (20-ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained What To Do: Place all ingredients in slow cooker; stir gently then cover with lid. Cook on low setting for 7 to 8 hours, or on high setting for 4 to 5 hours, until done. Carefully remove lid to allow steam to escape. Serve directly from slow cooker. www.mrfood.com

Topless Reuben Sliders

Our Reuben has gone topless! These new sliders are the perfect hand-held recipe any night of the week.

What You’ll Need: 1/2 loaf French bread, cut into (12) 1/2-inch slices 16 ounces sauerkraut, well drained 8 ounces sliced corned beef 1/4 cup Thousand Island dressing 6 slices Swiss cheese, cut in half What To Do: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place bread slices on baking sheet. Top bread with equal amounts of drained sauerkraut and then corned beef. Cover with foil and bake for 10 minutes or until heated through. Remove from oven and top each slider with 1 teaspoon dressing and slice of Swiss cheese. Place back in oven, uncovered for 3 to 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve immediately.

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Layered Amish Breakfast Bake This Pennsylvania Dutch-inspired Layered Amish Breakfast Bake is the perfect wholesome rise ‘n’ shine all-in-onepan breakfast for a lazy weekend morning. What You’ll Need: 12 slices white bread 1 pound thinly sliced deli ham, divided 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided 6 eggs 3 cups milk 1 teaspoon dry mustard 1 teaspoon onion powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

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1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted 2 cups cornflakes What To Do: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Line baking dish with 6 slices bread. Layer half the ham over bread and sprinkle with 1 cup cheese; repeat layers one more time. In a large bowl, combine eggs, milk, dry mustard, onion powder, salt, and pepper; mix well. Slowly pour over entire casserole. Mix butter with cornflakes and sprinkle on top. Bake 45 to 50 minutes, or until golden and set. www.mrfood.com

Vegetables 1/2 cup chicken broth 1 red bell pepper, chopped What To Do: In a small bowl, combine butter, garlic, dillweed, black pepper, and salt. Rub butter mixture evenly over ears of corn. Cut each ear in half. Wrap each half with 1 slice of bacon, and secure with wooden toothpicks. Place corn in a 5-quart slow cooker. Add broth and bell pepper. Cover and cook on LOW setting 3 hours or until corn is tender. Remove bacon before serving, if desired. www.mrfood.com

Cheddar, Potato, and Bacon Gratin

Slow Cooker Orange-Glazed Carrots

Cheddar, Potato, and Bacon Gratin

the bacon, and pour half the soup mixture evenly over potatoes. Repeat layers, ending with soup mixture; sprinkle shredded cheese over top, and dot with butter. Cover and cook on HIGH setting 2-1/2 hours, or until potatoes are fork-tender. Let stand 10 minutes then serve. www.mrfood.com

What You’ll Need: 2 (10.75-ounce) cans Cheddar cheese soup, undiluted 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 2 (20-ounce) packages refrigerated sliced potatoes 12 fully cooked bacon slices, crumbled 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese 3 tablespoons butter

Corn on the Cob with Bacon and Herbed Butter

Rich-tasting, creamy comforting Cheddar, Potato, and Bacon Gratin is easy as can be to make. Just throw all the ingredients in your slow cooker and let it do the work for you.

What To Do: In a small bowl, combine soup, garlic powder, and pepper. Layer half the potatoes in a 3-1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker that’s been coated with cooking spray; sprinkle with half

Bring home the bacon and wrap some corn on the cob with the smoky flavors that are all the rage today. Our novel-tasting Corn on the Cob with Bacon and Herbed Butter will have everyone smiling from ear to ear! What You’ll Need: 6 tablespoons butter, softened 4 garlic cloves, pressed 1/2 teaspoon dried dillweed 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon salt 6 ears fresh corn, husks removed 12 fully cooked slices bacon

What You’ll Need: 3 pounds carrot, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch thick slices (about 8 cups) For better nutrition, don’t peel the carrots. They will have a sweeter taste. 1 1/2 cups Swanson® Chicken Broth 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1/2 cup orange marmalade 2 tablespoons butter 1 tablespoon minced fresh sage leaves What To Do: Stir the carrots, 1 cup broth and the brown sugar in a 6-quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 1/2 hours or until the carrots are tender. Stir the remaining broth and the cornstarch in a small bowl until the mixture is smooth. Stir the cornstarch mixture, marmalade, butter and sage in the cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH for 30 minutes. Stir and season to taste. Serve immediately or keep on WARM for up to 3 hours. The sauce will continue to thicken on WARM, so add more broth, if needed, until desired consistency. From Campbells kitchen Peek Into Christmas 2017

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Desserts Citrus Bars There’s nothing more refreshing for dessert than fresh-baked lemon bar cookies. This easy recipe for Citrus Bars is a winner that Mr. Food viewers keep requesting again and again. What You’ll Need: 1 (18.25-ounce) package lemon cake mix 2 eggs, divided 1/3 cup vegetable oil 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1/3 cup granulated sugar 2 teaspoons lemon juice 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar 1 tablespoon orange juice What To Do: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, beat cake mix, 1 egg, and oil until crumbly. Reserve 1 cup of cake mixture for topping; set aside. Press remaining cake mixture into an ungreased 9- x 13-inch baking dish. Bake 12 minutes, or until lightly browned. In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese until creamy. Add granulated sugar, lemon juice, and remaining egg, beating until smooth. Pour cream cheese mixture over baked crust and sprinkle with reserved 1 cup cake mixture. Bake 20 to 22 minutes, or until lightly browned; let cool slightly. In a small bowl, combine confectioners’ sugar and orange juice. Drizzle over cake then cover and refrigerate. Once chilled, cut into bars. www.mrfood.com

Chocolate Dessert Lasagna

What You’ll Need: 1 (14.3-ounce) package cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies (about 36) 30

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Chocolate Dessert Lasagna 6 tablespoons butter, melted 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup confectioners’ sugar 1 (12-ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided 2 (4-serving-size) packages instant chocolate pudding and pie filling 3 cups cold milk 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips What To Do: Place cookies in a resealable plastic bag; using a rolling pin, finely crush cookies. Place in a medium bowl, add butter, and mix well. Press mixture into

bottom of a 9- x 13-inch baking dish; chill until ready to use. In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, vanilla, and confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Stir in 2 cups whipped topping. Lightly spread mixture evenly over cookie crust. In a large bowl, whisk together chocolate pudding and milk until thick. Evenly spread over cream cheese layer. Refrigerate 10 to 15 minutes, or until pudding is set. Spread remaining whipped topping over pudding layer and sprinkle with chocolate chips. Refrigerate 4 to 6 hours, or until set. www.mrfood.com

Easy Pecan Pie Bars

Cranberry Pudding

Heart-healthy tart and tangy cranberries are only available fresh for a short time. So take advantage of them and bake up our Test Kitchen’s special Cranberry Pudding packed with crunchy brown sugar-tossed pecans in every bite. Yum! What You’ll Need: 1 1/4 cups fresh cranberries 1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1/3 cup chopped pecans 1 egg, beaten 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/3 cup butter, melted What To Do: Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Put cranberries in a medium-sized bowl and sprinkle brown sugar over top; toss gently. Mix in chopped pecans; spoon into an ungreased 9-inch pie plate. In another medium-sized bowl, combine all remaining ingredients and mix well. Spoon over cranberry mixture in pie plate. Bake 45 minutes. Serve hot or cold with whipped cream or ice cream. www.mrfood.com

Apple Cinnamon Crunch Cups

The tasty autumn flavor combo of apples and cinnamon is always a welcome one. That’s why our Test Kitchen wanted to come up with a diabetes-friendly recipe for that irresistible duo. They knocked it out of the park with these Apple Cinnamon Crunch Cups! What You’ll Need: 1 (20-ounce) can reduced-sugar apple pie filling, chopped into small pieces 20 sugar-free vanilla wafers, coarsely crushed 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 cup chopped pecans What To Do: Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Coat 6 ovenproof custard cups with cooking spray. NOTE: If you don’t have the cups, then just make it in a 9 inch pie plate and dip it out. In a medium bowl, combine vanilla wafers, cinnamon, and pecans. Spoon 2 tablespoons pie filling and 1 tablespoon wafer mixture into each prepared cup. Repeat layers. Bake 20 minutes, or until pie filling is bubbly and heated through. www.everydaydiabetecrecipes.com

Easy Pecan Pie Bars

Pecan pie lovers, rejoice! Now you can get your favorite taste in bar cookie form. That’s right, these little wonders taste just like bite-sized pecan pies! What You’ll Need: 1 (8-ounce) package refrigerated crescent rolls 1/2 cup sugar 3/4 cup chopped pecans 3/4 cup corn syrup 1 egg, beaten 1 tablespoon butter, melted 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract What To Do: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 9- x 13-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Place crescent dough in prepared baking pan, pressing into bottom and 1/2-inch up sides of pan. Press to seal perforations in dough. Bake 5 minutes. In a medium bowl, combine remaining ingredients; pour over crust. Bake an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden. Let cool; cut into bars. Or cut while they are warm and serve with a dip of ice cream with carmel syrup drizzled on top. www.mrfood.com Peek Into Christmas 2017

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Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls What You’ll Need: 2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast 1 cup warm milk (110° to 115°) 2 eggs 5 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened 1/2 cup sugar 1 teaspoon salt 5 cups all-purpose flour Caramel Sauce: 1 cup butter or margarine, cubed 2 cups packed brown sugar 1/4 cup corn syrup 1/2 to 3/4 cup chopped pecans Filling: 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted 1/2 cup sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon What To Do: In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk. 32

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Add the eggs, butter, sugar, salt and 3 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, for sauce, melt butter in a large saucepan. Stir in the brown sugar and corn syrup. Bring to a boil over medium heat for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with pecans; set aside. Punch the dough down. Turn onto a floured surface. Roll into a 17-in. x 15-in. rectangle. Spread butter to within 1/2 in. of edges. Combine sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over dough. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; inch seams to seal. Cut into 15 slices. Place cut side down over caramel sauce. Cover; let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes; invert onto a serving platter. Yield: 15 rolls, 15 servings, 1 per serving. www.tasteofhome.com

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Santa Visits

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Around the Town

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The Lost Art Of

Formal Table Setting 38

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By: Regina Butler, Pontotoc Progress

he warm glow of the candles glint on the china and crystal. A well appointed table is set complete with fine linens and cloth napkins. Paulette Reese owner of the Gift Shop said that formal table setting seems to be going by the wayside just like the formal dining room in the home. “This seems to be coming a lost art,” she said. “But there is a time and a place to set a formal table and it is important that you know where all those different pieces of china and crystal go when you are setting the table.” Reese said the first step is to figure out your theme for the table, “whether it is a Christmas party or you are celebrating the New Year, or anything beyond that like Easter or a special birthday.” Themes can go in a variety of directions and colors. “And when you choose it, you don’t have to necessarily have all your china pieces matching. You can have one kind of china at once place and a another pattern at the next place.” Once your theme is decided let the place setting begin! It begins with a charger plate, which is slightly larger than the dinner plate. “It should be placed about three inches from edge of the table,” Reese noted. Just what is a charger plate? At one time considered an essential for any well dressed table setting, the charger plate fell out of favor in the latter part of the 20th century, but it still has a place as an important component of formal dining. Chargers are simply underplates that are used at each place setting of a formal table. In early days, a proper one was always made of either pewter or stainless steel coated with gold. Those used today can be made of everything from plastic resin to silver. What matters most is that the plate should compliment the choices of china, silverware, and general theme of the table setting. It may be used with or without placemats, depending on how formal you choose to be. The salad and dinner forks are to the left of the plate, “the salad fork is that small fork,” she noted. To the right of the plate should be the knife, “with the blade pointed toward the plate,” and the soup and tea spoons. What most people use as their table spoons are actually soup spoons. “The salad plate sits to the right of the spoons and the coffee cup and saucer sits just above the spoons,” she said. “Beyond the coffee cup are the water and beverage glasses with the water glass on the left.” The bread plate sits exactly opposite the coffee cup and saucer on the left side of the plate, “with the blade of the butter knife pointing up.” Reese said there is no set place for the napkin to go. “It can be placed to the left of the forks or in the plate.” The example she set is a very simple formal table setting. If you have a dessert spoon and fork, both of these should go at the top of the plate. The fork should be nearest the plate with the tines pointing toward the spoons and the spoon above that pointing to the forks. So if you have some of grandma’s china and crystal and you haven’t taught your children or grandchildren the finer manners in life, now is the time to do that. Get it out and have a small formal dinner party.

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Through A Childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eyes

What I Like

About Christmas

By: Regina Butler, Pontotoc Progress

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Little eyes reflect the lights on the Christmas tree. Their soft hands reverently handle baby Jesus as they put him in the manger. Their laughter rings in the air as they sing Jingle Bells. Christmas is all about children and the magic and love they add to this special holiday. We asked pre-schoolers what they liked about Christmas and here are their responses.

I like Christmas Trees. Hayden Cobb

Celebrating Jesus Birthday Cason Cruse

I like celebrating baby Jesus birthday. Eva Caldwell

I like the snow. Triston Jennings

I like putting up the Christmas tree. McKenzie McDonald

I like to get presents. Jones Webb

Umm the snow. Elliott Gibbs

About Santa coming. Tommy Lawson

Putting up decorations Maeda Arnold

I like my mommy. Mary Erin Patterson

I like Jingle Bells. Aubrey Payne

I like the decorations. Max Jones

Presents. Firetrucks. Jack Harris Owens

I like the Christmas Trees. Lynlee Payne

I like opening the presents. Jaycee Beth Whitt

I like toys. Rex White

I like putting up the tree. Julie Anne Beard

I like presents. Amelie Turner

I like putting all the ornaments on the Christmas Tree. Elliot Rosenbaum

I like going out to eat and eating desserts. Lana Leslie

I like Santa Claus. Addison Walls I like the snow. Emma Kyle Peel All the stuff. Averi Davis I like tv shows. Wil Walls I like when Santa brings presents. Jay Michael Whitt Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m getting a real BB gun. Calib Camp Family Kinsley Cruse

I like to get a jeep for Christmas. Layla Robbins

I like putting up the tree. Grace Gillespie

I like to see gifts on Christmas Day. Kailee Armstrong

I like opening the presents. Channing Jones

I like to see it snow on Christmas. Alexis Moore

My favorite thing at Christmas is when I open presents. Zeke Mitchell

I like to go shopping at the supermarket on Christmas. Aiden Lindsey

I like Santa Claus. Westin Vineyard

I like to see Christmas trees. Mariah Boyd

I like the presents. Bowen Kidd

I like to get toys for Christmas. Jacamuel Braxton

I like getting Spiderman toys. Bentley Burk

I like to play in the snow on Christmas. Kristian Sparrow Peek Into Christmas 2017

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Come Away

To Bethlehem By: Regina Butler, Pontotoc Progress

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ant to create a unique Christmas memory that you and your children will remember througout their lives? Then drive to the little town of Algoma on Highway 15 South to view the five scenes of Christmas. Algoma Baptist Church will once again be hosting the live Christmas Nativity this year on December 8 and 9. The folks in the church will set up five scenes on the grass beyond their parking lot and invite people to drive through and see the different parts of the Christmas story. While the animals are wooden, the people standing beside the animals are very real. Hilda Smith, Rev. Don Smith’s wife, said that the telling of the story in this format is unique in that you can either drive through or walk through it, “depending on how long you want to sit there and see it.” The history of Jesus’ birth is depicted from the annunciation, or when the angel told Mary about the Holy Spirit over-

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shadowing her to the wise men coming to worship the new born King. And it is told through the music that plays and words written on large plywood panels. “It draws a crowd,” Smith admitted. “We pull from the folks who are going to the restaurant to eat, or they may be coming to see us then going to eat,” she chuckled. Her goal through this outreach is to “display the Christmas story in a simple, straight forward manner,” she said. “We’ve even had people drive through and look at during the day.” Getting the folks in place for the duration of the three hours the scenes are displayed takes some coordination. “It takes at least 13 people for one set and we have two people for each character depicted.” That way if it is bitterly cold, they can rotate out and get warm, then come back. “There are people behind the scenes getting angels dressed, helping the shepherd boys into their costumes and doing what it takes to make the telling of the Christmas story something memorable.” Now it is not just the people who go to Algoma Baptist and help out through the night. “The fire department comes out and helps by having their lights going to slow folks down, and the police and sheriff’s department comes to help direct traffic. “We could not do it without all these

people. It helps us reach out and spread the gospel to others.” This year, the Algoma drive through live nativity will be December 8 and 9 from 6-9 p.m. The Drive-Thru Nativity consists of five well-known scenes portraying the birth of Jesus. They are: * The angel appearing to Mary * Mary and Joseph on their way to Bethlehem * Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus in

the manger * The angel appearing to the shepherds * Three wise men on their way to find the new-born King There is no charge. Bring your group by bus, by van or by car. Algoma Baptist Church is located off Highway 15 South, one mile down Algoma Road. For a special worship experience away from the noise of the season, drive your family down to Algoma and glimpse into the real meaning of Christmas. Peek Into Christmas 2017

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It’s Christmas Parading Time In The Cities By: Regina Butler, Pontotoc Progress

Pontotoc knows how to give a parade. Several communities in the county will have parades starting Friday, December 2. Below are the communities and the things they have going on in connection with their separate parades. These appear in the order in which they will be marching down their respective main streets. THAXTON

The Thaxton Christmas Parade will held on Friday night, December 1, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The line-up will be the same as in the past years, on Hunter Road. Entries should arrive at 5:00 p.m. for the starting line-up. If you live on Hunter Road this road will be closed to traffic at 5:00 p.m. If you would like to place an entry in the parade you may call these numbers - Bryson Dillard-760-2169; Johnny Coleman-419-2665; Cindi Webb, Hooker Construction-489-2567; or Sammie Jaggers-489-4888. We hope people from our community will take part in the parade by entering floats, decorate your gators, tractors, antiques cars. Also, we are asking people in the surrounding areas, in county or outside the county to call and place an entry.

Sherman

Sherman’s parade will be Saturday, December 2 at 2 p.m. Line up will be at 1 p.m. at the old Barclay building. Forms for participation may be picked up at Town Hall between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Deadline to enter is Wednesday, Nov. 29, 5 p.m. A form is not necessary to enter, but your float won’t qualify for judging. This will give organizers a chance to see how many floats are entered.

Toccopola

Toccopola Christmas Parade will be December 2 starting at 5:30 p.m. There will be food and entertainment afterwards in the Community Center. Any individual or church that would like to enter a float or whatever you can, please call Hope Herren @419-3789 or Bart Ratliff @ 213-6623.

Pontotoc City

The Pontotoc County Chamber/Main Street Association is ready to have Santa and all his helpers coming

down Main Street in Pontotoc in Pontotoc’s Christmas Parade. Serving as the Grand Marshals for the City Parade will be Pontotoc’s man and woman of the year, Kevin Merritt and Naomi Neff, selected by readers and featured in the Best of Pontotoc. The Christmas Parade is set for Monday, December 4, beginning at 6:30 p.m. “You can expect to see anything from dancing around the Christmas tree, to seeing all the little ones’ Christmas joy and more with the parade’s theme,” said Ellen Russell, Chamber/Main Street Director. “All area clubs, churches, organizations, schools, bands and businesses are encouraged to participate in this community, family oriented parade.” “Make sure you turn in your parade application by Monday, November 28, the deadline, so you will not miss out on the excitement,” Russell said. For applications, persons may call or come by and pick up an application at the Chamber/Main Street office located at 109 North Main Street. The chamber’s phone number is 662-489-5042 and the email address is ellenmsa@pontotocchamber.com All commercial and non-commercial entries are $20, cars in a club are registered with the one entry, horse riders should also be associated with a club ($5 each), wagons $10. The horse parade will follow Santa down the street. Now before that parade we are sure you will be hungry so make sure you stop by the Library and have some good warm soup. If you’d like to enter for a painting by the late Nita Stringer, please see the Librarian for details. Also a picture of the painting and more details will be in the Pontotoc Progress, so make sure you check it out.

Ecru

The Town of Ecru is trying something different this year. Their parade is slated for Tuesday, December 12, 7 p.m. Entry forms can be picked up at the Ecru Town Hall. For more information, call 662-489-3881. Peek Into Christmas 2017

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Wreaths Across America set Dec. 16

By: Regina Butler, Pontotoc Progress

t is a moving sight at Christmas, a fresh green wreath with a bright red bow is laid at every grave of the soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. Pontotoc County will once more take part in the Wreaths Across America program which will place Christmas wreaths on the graves of those who served in the military. Now that the wreaths are purchased, it will soon be time to pick them up and place them. Sponsored by the local Gold Star Mothers, [those moms who have lost sons in the wars], the wreaths will be distributed and laid on the grave by those who purchase them or the Gold Star mothers and volunteers will lay them for you. If you wish to pick up your wreath please come Saturday, December 16 beginning at 9 a.m. at the Habitat for Humanity warehouse. A special program honoring those who died will begin on the court square at 11 a.m. This program will be performed simultaneously all across the nation in other communities like ours. A wreath will be laid on the large monument honoring those from each branch of the military as well as the coast guard and a special wreath for the Prisoners of War (POW. ) The goal of Wreaths Across America is three-fold: Remember, Honor and Teach. Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve and their families and Teach our children the value of freedom. See more at WreathsAcrossAmerica.org Last year in Pontotoc County more than 900 wreaths were laid on the soldiers graves. Volunteers are needed to help lay wreaths in the church cemeteries all across the county. This is an urgent need on that day so that as many of the wreaths as possible can be laid before sundown that day. They will be put on the graves rain or shine. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The soldiers fought during rainstorms to assure our freedom, so we can get out there in the rain and lay a wreath to honor them,â&#x20AC;? Bagwell said. If you would like to help with the project on that Saturday in any way you are encouraged to call Donna Bagwell at 419-0441.

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Christmas Calendar Monday, November 27

Community Christmas Tree Lighting at The Community House - 6 p.m.

Friday, December 1

Thaxton Christmas Parade - 6 p.m.

Saturday, December 2

Sherman Christmas Parade - 2 p.m. Toccopola Christmas Parade - 5:30 p.m.

Monday, December 4

Pontotoc City Christmas Parade - 6:30 p.m.

Friday, December 8

Live Drive-through Nativity at Algoma 6-9 p.m.

Saturday, December 9

Rudolph Run through town - 8 a.m. Live Drive-through Nativity at Algoma 6-9 p.m.

Tuesday, December 14 Ecru Parade - 7 p.m.

Saturday, December 16

Wreaths Across America Ceremony Pontotoc Court Square - 11 a.m. Pontotoc Community Theater Play Everyones Christmas Story 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.

Sunday, December 17

Pontotoc Community Theater Play Everyones Christmas Story - 2 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 24 Christmas Eve

Monday Dec 25 Christmas Day

Sunday Dec. 31 New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eve

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