MyConnection for Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Page 1

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Photo Gallery Easy and Affordable. Available 24/7.

Find photos of local sports, events, celebrations, plus more! Thousands of photos to choose from at

photos.times-herald.com Check Out the Classifieds on Pages 6 - 7

Thank you for picking up MyConnection. Look for your copy delivered free to your home from The Newnan Times-Herald each Wednesday. You’ll find entertainment and travel news, as well as upcoming events, easy-to-make recipes, and things that matter to you and your family.

Family Features

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picy, mild, beans or meat only, tomato-based or white — there are as many ways to make chili as there are people who make it. If you want to fine-tune your chili cooking chops, take a few hints from Larry Walton, the 2011 Terlingua International Chili Champion. Here are his top five tips for making great chili:

n Chili

Powder — Using the right chili powder makes all the differ­ ence in the world. Mexene Chili Powder and Seasoning Mix is a good choice because it’s well round­ ed and balanced.

n Meat

— Choose premium quality ground beef with an 80/20 percent beef to fat ratio. Or for an interest­ ing twist, choose fresh natural bone­ less, skinless chicken thighs which are especially tender and juicy.

n Browning

— A key essential is to brown your meat. It not only adds richness to your dish but also helps with the dark color of the chili.

n Spices

— The spices are a main

ingre­dient to bring out all the fla­ vors. It’s best to use spice pow­ders, since they’re more pungent. n Secret

Ingredient — Last but not least, add your secret “booster” such as chili powder, paprika, cocoa or a few dashes of Hot Sauce at the end of cooking to wow your tasters.

Give Larry’s award-winning chili recipe — or any of the other recipes listed on page 4 — a taste test, and see how fast your friends and family name you their favor­ ite chili champ. Find more tips and recipes at www.chilicookoffwinner.com.

Health Benefits of Chili n Studies

from around the world, including the American Association for Cancer Research, suggest that capsaicin, the spicy element of chili peppers, may help fight certain types of cancer. n The fiber-rich beans found in most chili dishes have also been linked to a reduced risk of diabetes and heart disease.

Top 10 Georgia State Parks for Leaf Watching

Seven Tips for Establishing Good Credit StatePoint

Black Rock Mountain State Park Georgia Department of Natural Resources

When the temperatures start drop­ ping, Leaf Watchers start heading to the mountains for colorful fall foliage. Many of Georgia’s State Parks make it easy to enjoy the best of “leaf season”— offering plenty of places to explore hiking trails, snuggle by campfires and fill photos albums. The parks even provide lodge rooms, cabins, campgrounds and yurts so that travelers can stay overnight, sur­ rounded by spectacular scenery. Below are the Georgia Depart­ ment of Natural Resources’ (DNR) top ten state parks for celebrating autumn’s arrival in the Peach State. Fall color typically peaks in late October for northern Georgia; however, color can be seen as late as mid-November. Officials advise guests to make reservations as

1. Make sure you know what is included in your credit report. It is important to review your credit report at least once per year to ensure there aren’t any mistakes and you have not been the victim of identity theft. Your credit report contains information about you and your payment history. It’s collected and organized by a credit reporting agency and is available to those who are considering granting you credit. Your credit score is a number that reflects the information found in your credit report.

early as possible because accom­ modations sometimes fill up many months in advance. Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-8647275 or at GeorgiaStateParks.org. They are accepted up to 13 months in advance, so it is not too early to reserve the most popular cabins for 2013. Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge, Dawsonville Hike to the top of the Southeast’s tallest waterfall, or take the easy shortcut on a stroller-friendly boardwalk. Either way, you’ll get a close-up view of these tumbling waters and find out why it’s one of Georgia’s most popular state parks. Amicalola Falls’ central loca­ tion makes it a good home base for exploring Dahlonega, apple orchards and pumpkin farms. A mountain-top lodge offers beauti­

Having a good credit score is increasingly important, as more Americans rely on credit to make daily and major purchases. Not only can poor credit history hurt you when you’re taking out a loan, signing a lease or buying a car, but some employers do credit checks on job applicants — weeding out anyone who hasn’t demonstrated financial responsibility. “Our recent ‘Financial IQ Quiz’ revealed that many people struggle with understanding how to establish good credit,” said Beth Coggins, Director of Community Rela­ tions at a financial institution. “The importance of a solid financial education for your success and well-being cannot be overstated.” Here are some tips on taking better control of your finances and personal credit:

2. Create a budget and stick to it. Understand needs versus wants and avoid using credit to buy things you cannot afford. Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge

ful views from guest rooms and its restaurant. The park also offers camping and cabins, as well as the backcountry Hike Inn reached by trekking a five-mile trail. Black Rock Mountain State Park, Clayton At an altitude of 3,640 feet, Black

Rock Mountain is Georgia’s high­ est state park. Roadside overlooks provide 80-mile vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and four hiking trails lead leaf watchers past small waterfalls and colorful forests. Two

3. Pay your bills on time. Your payment history is one of the most important factors when determining your credit score. You are usually considered a good credit risk if you have a history of paying your bills on time. 4. Have a small amount of total debt. Make sure your total debt is not too large. If a large portion of your income each month is already committed to paying off other credit, creditors may be hesitant to extend you ad­ ditional credit.

➤ SEe LEAF, PAGE 5

TASTE OF HOME COOKING SCHOOL

TICKETS NOW ON SALE! TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23 • The Centre for Performing and Visual Arts

➤ SEe GOOD CREDIT, PAGE 3

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Doors open at 5:00 PM • Show Begins at 6:30 PM • Join us for a fun-filled cooking experience!

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT: Newnan Utilities • The Newnan Times-Herald The Centre for Performing and Visual Arts Bank of Coweta (Thomas Crossroads)


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