The South Gibson Star-Times serves the towns of Haubstadt, Owensville and Fort Branch.
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1477591
HOMEMADE HOMEMADE CRUNCHWRAP CRUNCHWRAP SUPREME SUPREME By Jennifer Vallee Cooking Columnist news@sgstartimes.com So, I have started trying to recreate a lot of our restau- rant favorites because with gas prices as they are, it is hard to find a lot of money to go out to eat. I'm not a huge fan of Taco Bell, but I do enjoy a few of their items, with the Crunchwrap Supreme being among my favorites. There is just something about that crunch in the mid- dle that is satisfying and of all of their menu items, that one meets my cravings better than any other. It is a little bigger than I would normally want, but there is nothing saying you have to eat it all in one setting. I hope you will be able to use this recipe for the Taco Bell connoisseur in your life. Enjoy! INGREDIENTS • 1 lb. ground beef • 1 tsp. chili powder • 1/2 tsp. ground paprika • 1/2 tsp. ground cumin • Kosher salt • Freshly ground black pepper • 8 large flour tortillas • 1/2 c. nacho cheese sauce • 4 tostada shells • 1 c. sour cream • 2 c. shredded lettuce • 1 c. chopped tomatoes • 1 c. shredded cheddar • 1 c. shredded Monterey Jack • 1 tbsp. vegetable oil DIRECTIONS 1. In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, combine ground beef and spices and season with salt and pep- per. Cook, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 6 minutes. Remove meat to a bowl and set aside. Drain fat and wipe skillet clean. 2. Stack 4 large flour tortillas and place a tostada shell in the center. Using a paring knife, trace around edg- es of shell to cut 4 smaller flour tortilla rounds. 3. Build Crunchwraps: Add a scoop of ground beef to the center of remaining 4 large flour tortillas, leav- ing a generous border for folding. Drizzle cheese sauce over each, then place a tostada shell on top. Spread sour cream over each shell, then top with let- tuce, tomato, and cheeses. Place smaller flour torti- lla cutouts on top and tightly fold edges of large tor- tilla toward the center, creating pleats. Quickly in- vert Crunchwraps so pleats are on the bottom and they stay together. 4. In the same skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add Crunchwrap seam-side down and cook until tortilla is golden, 3 minutes per side. Repeat with remain- ing Crunchwraps. Source: delish.com Whether we remember them fond- ly or not, many of us would agree that our teenage years had their share of challenging moments. While teenag- ers are going through the adventure of figuring out who they are and who they want to become, their bodies are going through physical changes that can be overwhelming for some teens. Teenagers regularly compare them- selves to others to try to fit in. There- fore, they are often social media's best "customers." Constant comparison to their peers and social media influenc- ers can create insecurities as teens try to attain the "perfect" body or the "perfect" lifestyle. This lowers a teen's self-esteem exponentially and can lead to drastic habits like extreme diets and overexercising. You can help your teen practice body positivity to help them re- alize the "perfect body" is the body they live in now. As stated before, teenagers practical- ly live on social media. One of the more popular platforms for this age group is Instagram, which consists of individu- als posting pictures and sharing their life online. Many of these photos can be photoshopped and tagged with lines such as #beachbody, #skinnylegend, or #thinspiration. There are dark sides to many social media websites where eating disorders such as anorexia are depicted as some- thing to strive for. However, many social media platforms have lighter sides too. There are many influencers who don't photoshop themselves to fit the mold of what an influencer is supposed to look like. They proudly show who they are with tags such as #bodypositivity, #beautifullife, and #anti-diet. These in- fluencers strive to show others there is much more to life than a perfect beach body. The influence of media isn't just in our phones. It's everywhere. When in line at the grocery store there are magazines detailing how celebrities drop weight for a role in a movie, or how influencers use supplements to look "perfect" for the red carpet. Be conscious of what your teen is reading and encourage them to read body positive content. Whether you realize it or not, you are your teen's biggest influence. Growing up in a home filled with negative self- talk will have your teen looking at them- selves in an unflattering light. Use body positivity yourself to model for your teen. Help them focus on the great qual- ities and talents they possess instead of dwelling on the negative messages of social media and Hollywood. And finally, make a point to tell your teen how proud you are of them and the person they are becoming. Help them realize that extreme change isn't need- ed. Who they already are is perfect. THE CENTER ACTIVITIES The Center for Seniors in Gibson County is open. Cof- fee and donuts are being provided daily at the coffee bar. It is a fellowship, social time for seniors. Hand sanitizer is required for all visitors. Anyone need- ing assistance or a ride, can call 812-385 -8818. The current schedule is Bingo for prizes and fun at 9:30 a.m. on Mondays; exercise class at 9 a.m. on Tues- days; Quilters at 1 p.m. on Wednesdays; Bible Study at 10 a.m.; painting class at 1 p.m. on Thursdays (supplies provided); and exercise at 9 a.m. on Fridays. Meal delivery for those who are homebound from SWIRCA will continue at this time. To sign up for home delivery, call 812-464-7817. The Center offers a food pantry every second and fourth Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. MENU Tuesday, August 30 : Vegetable stir fry with grilled chicken, noodles, egg rolls and dessert Meals available on-site beginning at 11:30 a.m. for se- niors 55 and older. Call the Center by noon the day before at 812-385 -2897. SWIRCA MENU FOR DELIVERY Tuesday, August 30 : smoke pork chop, scalloped pota- toes, broccoli, wheat bread with margarine, pudding cup and milk. Wednesday, August 31: Chicken Parmesan, baby bakers, cauliflower, bread with margarine, pear cup and milk. MORE INFORMATION SWIRCA meals are available for delivery to housebound senior citizens (60 and older) in Gibson County. Meals are provided on a donation basis and whatever you can afford to contribute. There is no set fee or charge. A suggested donation is $ 3.50 per meal. Cash and check or food stamps are accepted. Meat/Entrée portions are 2.5 to 3 oz. Vegetables and salads and desserts are half cup servings. Margarine is 1 teaspoon. Bread is one slice. Milk is a half pint. Casseroles are 8 oz. This program is operated by the SWIRCA and More Nu- trition Program at 16 W. Virginia St. and Evansville. The number to call for information or to order meal deliver is 812-464-7807. Note that the soup and sandwich is only for our congre- gate site clients. It is an alternative option to the hot meal. No special orders. Call 812-464-7807 to order at least one day ahead. TO ADVERTISE: Call: 812-753-3553 Email: ads@sgstartimes.com Deadline: 3 p.m. on Friday South Gibson Star-Times Tuesday, August 30, 2022 A-5 HOME LIFE Youth First Today By Angel Wagner, LSW Veteran's Voice By George Pickersgill, Gibson County Veterans Service Officer Encouraging body positivity in teens Expanded benefits in PACT Library news FORT BRANCH AND HAUBSTADT Fort Branch Hours: Monday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday 1 to 7 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 1 to 5 p.m., also open 8 a.m. to noon on first and third Saturday of the month. Haubstadt Hours: Monday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday 1 to 7 p.m., Friday 1 to 5 p.m., also open 8 a.m. to noon on the second and fourth Saturday of the month. Submitted by Dana Gansman Both locations will be closed for the observance of Labor Day. Grab and Go Kids Crafts are back on Wednesday Sept. 7 while open and supplies lasts. Storybook Walk is up and in full swing from Aug. 15 -31. Fort Branch "Monkey and the Little One." Haubstadt "Library Books are Not for Eating." The library has partnered with local businesses to bring an outdoor, family-friendly activ- ity to the community. Follow the map and read the pages of the story posted in the windows of each location. Enjoy the stroll, the excitement of young read- ers, and hopefully you will giggle a time or two. Maps and more information will be available in both libraries and on Facebook. Adult Book Club books for September are in and available at both locations. We provide the books and you provide the conversations. Classic Book Club is reading "Whistling Past the Graveyard" by Susan Crandall and will meet on Thursday Sept. 15th at the Fort Branch Location. Modern Book Club is reading Laura Jean Baker's "The Motherhood A ffidavits" and meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 20 at K ANT Brewery at 6 p.m. Have you heard about 1000 Books Be- fore Kindergarten? This is a program for children from birth until they start kindergarten to instill a love of reading. Come into either location to sign up your child today and get your first read- ing log. This program is totally free and comes with some great incentives for your little ones. Be sure to sign up for our monthly email newsletter for our segment– Kim's Column. This is a featurette by staff member, Kim, who will give some recommended reads each month from books that are in the library. To see some of these hidden gems, go to the bottom of our website at fortbranchli- brary.com and submit your email. Grab and Go is always an available option. You can call us to put in re- quests or log in to the catalog and shop for them yourself, choosing which li- brary you would like to pick up from. Using the number under the barcode on your library card and the last four digits of your phone number will get you into your library account. Here you can manage requests, wish lists, or just browse. If you have issues, please call either library and we'd be happy to walk you through it. We gather the books you request and you can choose to either be called, texted, or emailed when they are ready to pick up. Please note our hours. Call 812-753- 4212 or text us at 812-649 -1084 with any questions. We look forward to seeing you soon. Please keep an eye on our Facebook page for updates about the Fort Branch Library Build. OWENSVILLE CARNEGIE Regular Library hours Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Check out our website at owensvillelibrary.org. New youth programs at Owensville Owensville Public Library Youth Programs will be returning starting in September. They offer Toddler Time for ages 10 months-2 years on Mondays at 10 :30. Story Time is for ages 3 years-5 years on Tuesdays at 10 :30. Novel Ninjas is for Kindergarten- 3rd grade on Mondays at 4, and will be weekly now. The STEAM program is for grades 4th-6th on Wednesdays at 4, and will be weekly as well. Dungeons & Dragons will be for grades 7-12 on Thursdays at 4. In addition to weekly programs there are also several monthly programs. Sen- sory Story Time is offered on the first Thursday of the month. It is designed to engage kids through movement, music, stories, and sensory activity play. It is ideal for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders or Sensory Inte- gration challenges. Space will be limit- ed and children must be accompanied by an adult caregiver. Family Game night will be the first Tuesday of the month starting at 5 and is for all families to come and enjoy board and card games together. Teen Time will be the second Tues- day of the month at 4 and is for grades 7-12. The new Anime/Manga Club will be on the third Tuesday of each month at 4 and is for grades 7-12. Homeschool Happenings is a pro- gram for all area homeschool families and will be the second Thursday of the month at 1:30. These are just some of the exciting programs the Library has to offer. The staff at Owensville Public Li- brary looks forward to welcoming ev- eryone back for all these wonderful programs. Please check the website ow- ensvillelibrary.org or The Kid's Space at Owensville Library page on Face- book for schedules. So many books, so little time. OAKLAND CITY COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP Public Library hours Monday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Wednesday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Closed Sunday. The Oakland City–Columbia Town- ship Public Library has partnered with Mesker Park Zoo recently. Zoo passes are available for checkout to library card holders. A pass allows two adults and up to four children to visit the zoo at no cost. One pass per household may be checked out for three days. Passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis with no holds or ad- vanced reservations allowed. Questions about the program may be directed to the library at 812-749 -3559. The Board of Trustees for the Oak- land City — Columbia Township Public Library adopted the second Wednesday of every month at 4 p.m. for their month- ly board meetings. The meetings are in the Library Meeting Room. As many of you are already aware I'm sure, or have at least heard, the Presi- dent signed into law in August one of the most sweeping and comprehensive veteran-related bills in United States history. The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Ad- dress Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act is perhaps the largest health care and benefit expansion in the history of the VA. This legislation will certainly have a direct impact on an inordinate number of Vietnam, Gulf War, and Post- 9/11 era veterans, and potentially their family members. In short, the law expands and extends eligibility for VA health care to certain veterans who were exposed to toxic con- ditions while in service. Additionally, it establishes more than 20 new presump- tive conditions/locations for burn pits and other toxic exposures. We know from previous discussions here that "Presumptive Conditions" are medical conditions for which the government has already conceded service connec- tion and as such, proof of exposure by the veteran is unnecessary. The law also adds new conditions to the current list of Viet- nam-era herbicide ex- posure (Agent Orange) presumptives as well as expanding the affected area beyond the tradition- ally accepted boundaries of Vietnam. New loca- tions now include service in Thailand, Laos, Cam- bodia, Guam, American Samoa, and Johnston Atoll (Hawaii), all under certain time conditions. As I implied to begin here, there is a tremendous amount of information packed into this law and a complete ex- planation of every detail here would be highly impractical and virtually impos- sible. The VA has done an exceptional job of explaining this law on their web- site I would encourage you to take the time to browse through it yourself. You may find this at… www.va.gov/resourc- es/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits If you do not have the resources to inves- tigate this on your own, please call me or stop by the North Court- house Annex. I would be happy to explain this you and determine the impact on you and/or your family. Lastly, I ask you to keep one thing in mind. As this is brand new and the ink of president's signature is bare- ly dry, the VA still has a lot of work to do in response to this law. Policies and proce- dures must be developed, forms must be changes, and personnel must be hired and trained to accommodate the mas- sive influx of new claims that will surely result. Please be patient and do not feel that you must react immediately. This will be a process and I can assure you that it will not be quick. As always, it is a joy and privilege to serve you. For more information, contact Pick- ersgill by calling 812-385 -4522.