Entertainment

1. “Call Us What We Carry,” by Amanda Gorman (Viking, poetry) What it’s about: Gorman proved herself an energizing new voice in American poetry with her stirring poem, “The Hill We Climb,” memorably delivered at this year’s presidential inauguration.

With little time Casey Schropp went against the grain in 2020 — launching a new event rather than cancelling an annual one as pandemic raged on. She created, in about a month’s time, a Christmas Parade in the city of McPherson.

After a year that was long and hectic for many, the arrival of the holiday season guarantees some cheer in a very specific form: the TV shows and specials that were made to bring more spirit into our homes. Some have aired for more than 40 years, while others present a modern take on Christmas cheer. Here are 10 specials, and very special episodes, that carry the common holiday theme of togetherness with loved ones – some in unconventional ways.

Branson, nestled in the scenic Missouri Ozarks, pulls out all the stops when it comes to Christmas. From the first week in November, the entire town lights up with decorations virtually everywhere you look, including more than 1,500 decorated trees and drive-through lighting displays. The biggest show in town is Silver Dollar City, a re-created 1880s Ozarks town featuring millions of lights, live holiday entertainment, seasonal foods, thrill rides and craftsmen demonstrating their skills. h Many of Branson’s 100 live shows, performed at 40 theaters, offer special productions just for the holidays. Other family favorites include a skating rink that rivals the one at New York City’s Rockefeller Center, the annual Adoration Parade celebrating the birth of Christ, a ride on Branson Scenic Railway’s Polar Express and shopping (including the best fruitcake you’ll ever taste, made by students at the College of the Ozarks). h Add Branson’s small-town friendliness, lodging options in all price ranges and the fact that Branson is within a day’s drive of one-third the U.S. population, and it’s easy to see why November through December is one of Branson’s most popular seasons.

Tis the season! This is the time of year we look forward to. We anticipate time spent with family and friends, holiday festivities, shopping, decorating and sight-seeing. h This is also the time of year when many people put on an extra 7-to-10 pounds. We’re already dealing with trying to shed COVID weight, and now we’re going to be faced with desserts, candies, pies, cookies and all of those yummy holiday cocktails. h It seems like every holiday gathering includes an array of special holiday drinks and concoctions. Some of these can contain more than 500 calories each. Yikes! h That can put a big dent in your daily allotment.

When the leaves drop off the plants in our landscapes, we sometimes find ourselves seeing things that we consider less than attractive in our neighbors’ yards. When we find ourselves in these situations, we can always turn the negative into a positive situation with plants.

There are few chefs more qualified to lend advice about mashed potatoes than RJ Harvey. Harvey is a registered dietitian and the culinary director of Potatoes USA.

Did humans come from monkeys? Go around town talking about that, and some people will clap in agreement while others will be completely offended. Certainly, a species as great as humans could not have come from monkeys, right? That is correct.

The base: A whole grain that makes up about onefourth of your bowl. Vegetables: A variety of raw or cooked vegetables in a variety of colors.