The South Gibson Star-Times serves the towns of Haubstadt, Owensville and Fort Branch.
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MY SO CALLED MILLENNIAL LIFE KETO CHEESY KETO CHEESY ASPARAGUS ASPARAGUS CASSEROLE CASSEROLE By Jennifer Vallee Holidays can be so much fun, especially getting to see family and friends you don't always see and make memo- ries. They can also be horribly stressful. With multiple fam- ily obligations it can be hard to schedule a get together for your immediate family, let alone extended families. Another problem that can come up is allergies and spe- cial diets. I was just getting used to my nephew's nut aller- gy when my mother-in-law starts on the Keto diet. Lucki- ly one of the best looking recipes on the Keto diet page on Facebook was made with asparagus, which my pregnant daughter has been craving a lot lately– Ack! I hope your Easter cooking was a bit less eventful and you enjoyed time with your family and friends. I also hope you like this recipe. Enjoy! INGREDIENTS • 2 bunches asparagus • 1 tbsp butter • 1/2 oz cream cheese, softened • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream • 1 tbsp chicken broth • 1/4 tsp Italian seasoning • 1/2 tsp garlic powder • 1/4 tsp paprika • 1/8 tsp salt • 1/8 tsp pepper • 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated • 1/8 cup pepper jack cheese, grated • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, grated • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes • 1/3 cup bacon, cooked and crumbled DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 2. Wash and trim the asparagus, then grease the 9" x 13" baking pan and lay them in it. 3. In a skillet melt butter on medium heat, then add softened cream cheese, heavy whipping cream, chicken broth, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. 4. Continuously whisk until the ingredients are thorough- ly combined. 5. Reduce to a medium/low heat and allow the sauce to sim- mer gently boiling until the heavy whipping cream has reduced and thickened. Keep whisking so that it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan. It will take a few minutes for the sauce to reduce and thicken. 6. Once it has thickened, add the Parmesan and pepper jack cheese then continue to stir until the cheeses melt and the sauce is smooth. 7. Pour the cheese sauce over the asparagus down the middle of the casserole dish, avoiding the tops of the asparagus. 8. Next, sprinkle the mozzarella cheese and crushed red pepper flakes on top of the cheese sauce. 9. Bake for 15 minutes. 10. If you prefer crunchier asparagus, you can reduce the baking time for 2-3 minutes. 11. Remove from oven and add bacon crumbles to the top. 12. Bake for another 3 minutes and enjoy! Source: dietketo.website YOUTH FIRST TODAY A last-minute guide for professional procrastinators Progresstination. I accidentally uttered this recently while trying to say "procrastination." It was a Freudian slip, less a regressive childhood parapraxis and more a trauma related to the Internal Revenue Service, as one has. However, this slip revealed an abiding truth. See, paying taxes puts the fun in func- tional society, and I've never missed a deadline. That does not mean, under any circumstances, I've ever filed ear- ly. On time and early are totally differ- ent things. Does this sound like you? Come, kin, rally around. Tax Day was April 18 this year, three days late due to Emancipation Day in the District of Columbia. Last year, the pan- demic drew out Tax Day to May 17, which was like Christmas for procrastin... pro- gresstinators. "Wouldn't you rather get it out of the way? " a responsible, punctual person might ask. "Get your return early? Have more time to pay? Move on, heal? " Definitely not. To quote tax collector Friedrich Nietzsche, "Is life not a thou- sand times too short for us to bore our- selves? " No one is guaranteed tomorrow. If I don't make it, that's not great, but it also means I will have gotten out of do- ing taxes. Whose strategy sounds bet- ter now? Progresstination, though, is pointless progress. It's a way to feel like a produc- tive member of civilization, completing little tasks adja- cent to taxes without actual- ly doing taxes. Apply this phi- losophy liberally to cleaning bathrooms, renewing govern- ment identifications and hav- ing difficult personal discus- sions that include I-state- ments such as, "When you do _ _, it makes me feel _ _." For example: Identify tax documents in the kitchen stack of mail sorted as "important." That stack has slumped into the pile that's "un- important, but probably good to shred be- cause of identity theft." That has in turn slumped into "unimportant, can go in re- cycling bin" — a bin, which, unbelievably, is just steps away from this pile, and yet. This special pile includes catalogs for Vi- king River Cruises and expensive puffer vests one might wear in a canoe. There. Having secured all vital tax forms, move them somewhere more of- ficial such as an end table, a decorative chair or one of 40 empty filing folders you bought at Office Depot when you decid- ed to get organized in 2012. That was a cute day. Visit the website for your preferred tax software. Test your user-name, PIN number and password. It has 17 letters, four non-consecutive numbers and a spe- cial character (excluding question marks, too on the nose). Failing log-in, close the window. To quote IRS commissioner Don Drap- er, "Think about it. Deeply. Then forget it." Read several articles ti- tled "What to know for Tax Day" and initiate pan- ic over capital gains, divi- dends, interest, home office expenses, 1099 forms and alleged letters regard- ing advance child tax credits and stim- ulus payments. Go back to the mail pile, which somehow now contains a new cat- alog of stylish polyester pants for wom- en of a certain age. Take a break for snacks! Lastly, set intentions. Identify a time you will do your taxes. Set up a reward for yourself, other than the intrinsic one that comes with doing a civic duty at the last possible second. State it boldly: "I in- tend to do my taxes after the Target run, but before eating an entire pint of Chub- by Hubby." I am so proud of you. Stephanie Hayes is a columnist at the Tampa Bay Times in Florida. Follow her at @ stephhayes on Twitter or @ stephrhayes on Instagram. New officers elected; dance and philanthropy discussed Zeta Gamma Chapter met on Tuesday, April 5, at the Fort Branch Library Activ- ity Center. President Margie Beal led the 13 members and one guest in the opening verse. Previous minutes were read and the treasurer report was given. Laura Happe, our guest speaker, thanked us for our continual support. She gave us updates on all the activities offered. She gave us pamphlets of the up- coming expansion. It will be well worth it and used by many. It is a big under- taking, but we were excited to see it and support it. Committee reports were given on the Father/Daughter dance. It was another huge success with over 400 dads, grand- pas and daughters attending. Charity committee submitted their proposals for the membership. $7,600 was given to 16 projects. Those are: Fort Branch Library Summer Program, two high school scholarships, Fort Branch Park (mulch), Hear Indiana Camp, Fort Branch Little League, Psi Iota Xi Long Term Project, Community Pride, Riley Hospital, Isaiah 1:17 Project, UMC Back to School Bash, Women's Fund, Cystic Fi- brosis, Fort Branch Community School Library, Evansville Philharmonic, Broad- way Players and Gibson Southern Post Prom. New officers were elected with Lesa Bond, President; Jan Schmitt, Vice-Pres- ident; Sandy Birch, Recording Secretary; Jackie Bent, Corresponding Secretary; Sheryl Walker, Treasurer; Jaynell Dix, Conductress; and Margie Beal, Advisor. Trenda Ridge brought a sample of a key chair with the logo of our 2023 National Convention theme that she made. These will be given to all attendees of the 2022 National Convention, that will be held in Muncie, Indiana in June. Mo Dix will be installed as the National President at that convention. Next meeting will be held on Tuesday May 3 at the Library. Martha has refresh- ments and the auction item. PSI IOTA XI NEWS Trauma and the brain By Megan Shake Youth First, Inc. Childhood trauma is defined as adverse childhood experiences that are emotion- ally painful or distressful. Trauma can be caused by a multitude of things, includ- ing but not limited to, physical abuse or neglect, emotional abuse or neglect, sex- ual abuse, death of a loved one, separa- tion from a family member, poverty, se- rious medical conditions, accidents, di- sasters, domestic violence, a parent with a mental illness, substance abuse with- in a family, and incarceration of a family member. Ultimately, there are an unlim- ited number of things that can be classi- fied as traumatic. What the definition of trauma does not tell you is that trauma actually changes the brain. It overwhelms your thoughts, emotions and body. When you experi- ence something that overwhelms you, it can rewire your brain and body. According to a report from the Cen- ter on the Developing Child at Harvard University, not only does trauma cause neurological changes, but it can also cause immune system and hormone level changes. Additionally, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network reports that children between the ages of 3 to 6 who are exposed to trauma may have difficul- ty learning in school, be unable to trust others or make friends, show poor skill development, lack self-confidence, and may be more likely to experience stom- ach aches or headaches. When looking at parts of the brain, studies have shown trauma effects the amygdala, which is the part of the brain that controls emotions. Trauma can cause the amygdala to be hyperactive. That means even when danger is not present, the amygdala still might activate a "fight or flight" response in a person. The result may be a panic attack, a flood of emotion, feelings of aggression, or constant stress. Another part of the brain affected is the prefrontal cortex. This is the part of the brain responsible for regulating emo- tions. Trauma can weaken the prefron- tal cortex, causing difficulty concentrat- ing or zoning out. Lastly, trauma affects the hippocampus as well. The hippocam- pus helps store memories. For some peo- ple, the hippocampus can have difficulty preserving other memories while retain- ing the traumatic event as clear as day. For others, the hippocampus blocks out part of the traumatic memory, or all of it. So what can we do to help children who have experienced trauma? One of the most helpful things is for the child to have a caring, supportive, stable care- giver who can help regulate these chang- es and help the child better cope with ad- versity as they grow up. Just one caring and supportive adult can greatly bene- fit and positively impact a child through- out their life. It is also important to seek help from a trained professional when needed, whether that be through outpatient ther- apy or even your school's Youth First So- cial Worker. Remember, despite what these kids have been through, one car- ing adult to provide support can make a world of difference. Megan Shake, LSW, is a Youth First So- cial Worker at Loogootee Elementary, Mid- dle and High Schools in Martin County. Youth First, Inc. is a nonprofit dedicat- ed to strengthening youth and families. Youth First provides 78 Master's level so- cial workers to 107 schools in 13 Indiana counties. Over 60,000 youth and families per year are served by Youth First's school social work and after school programs that prevent substance abuse, promote healthy behaviors, and maximize student suc- cess. To learn more about Youth First, vis- it youthfirstinc.org or call 812-421-8336. Independent Insurance Agent 812-483-4670 • Haubstadt • bill.yarbor@twc.com CALL: Bill Yarbor Are You Adequately Covered? A new year means changes to Medicare premiums, deductibles, copays and benefi ts! Bill Yarbor, experienced insurance agent can help you make sure you are adequately covered. Medicare Supplement Insurance, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part-D prescription drug plans. LOUIE CAMPBELL Sales Professional lcampbell@sfaulknerauto.com CALL OR TEXT 812-899-6267 @LouieYourCarGuy HWY. 64 W. PRINCETON Looking for a Great Deal On Your Next Vehicle? A-6 Tuesday, April 19, 2022 South Gibson Star-Times