EDITOR’S NOTE: Each week, AL.com will explore the best of high school sports in Alabama. We hope you join the conversation.
The best player in college football today is likely Travis Hunter, who plays regularly on offense and defense for Colorado. But it’s incredibly rare for a player to be equally talented on both sides of the ball.
Read MoreDEAR ABBY: Do you think it’s unreasonable to ask an acquaintance/neighbor to send a quick text before dropping by? This neighbor lives within the same development I do. She is friendly enough, and we occasionally walk our dogs together, but she has a habit of coming by unannounced.
I was out one afternoon and noticed later while viewing my security camera that she had come by and brought with her another woman and the woman’s dog. I texted her and let her know that I saw that she had stopped by, and, in the future, I’d prefer she texted me before stopping over. Now she is offended and says she will “never stop over again.”
I saw her walk by my house recently and came out to speak to her. When I tried to talk to her, she held up her hand and said, “Don’t even speak to me!” I think this is childish and drama-filled. What do you think? — GROWN-UP IN OHIO
DEAR GROWN-UP: I agree with you. The woman overreacted to your text. This is one of the reasons I believe talking on the phone or face-to-face is a better way to communicate because there’s less chance of someone misconstruing a terse message and taking offense. As to her directive that you should not speak to her, take her up on it. Dropping in on someone with no warning is inconsiderate, bordering on rude.
Read more Dear Abby and other advice columns.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
Read MoreA Starbucks and a full-line kitchen are part of a “comprehensive upgrade” to dining and retail options coming to Huntsville International Airport.
The existing restaurant and bar will undergo a refresh, with a new decor scheme and an upgrade to the current short-order kitchen. The airport said travelers can expect “gourmet, made-to-order selections for breakfast, lunch and dinner,” with some ingredients sourced locally.
Wilmington, N.C.-based Tailwind Hospitality was awarded the 10-year airport concession contract in July.
Read MoreIf you’re like me – Southern born and (corn)bred – there really is no debate: That most delectable Thanksgiving dish is called “dressing.” Full stop. Over and out. Don’t let the screen door hit you.
But some people in other parts of the country call that same dish “stuffing.” So which should you use? Let’s discuss.
The difference, historically, was in how the dish was cooked. “Stuffing” means the dish made from hard bread, chopped celery and seasonings is “stuffed” inside the turkey and cooked, where the bird’s juices add liquid. “Dressing” is a side dish, cooked with added broth and served separately to accompany the bird. But that’s changed: Most health experts say it is no longer considered safe to cook the dish inside a turkey that starts out raw due to a risk of cross contamination and foodborne illnesses. That means stuffing is technically obsolete, but the word is still very much in use.
Ingredients-wise, they are the same dish – the only difference is that Southerners frequently substitute cornbread for the bread base. Still, many people use the words interchangeably whether it is inside the bird or out.
The word “dressing,” according to Dictionary.com, comes from the verb “to dress,” which has been used since the 1300s to mean “to prepare a food for cooking, often especially a bird (or other meat). It can also mean to season a dish,” leading to the term “salad dressing.”
People in the Victorian era thought “stuffing” was a potentially stomach-turning word, and therefore tacky, according to the Dictionary.com article. “In the 1800s, the word ‘dressing’ gained popularity in some areas of the U.S. as a word for the dish cooked inside a bird,” the article said. “The rise of this preference is theorized to be based in part on Victorian-era prudishness and a resulting movement away from more ‘graphic’ terms for food preparation. The idea is that the word ‘stuffing’ may not be so appetizing when you really think about it.”
Michelle Darrisaw wrote in an article for Food and Wine that the word was considered offensive.
“Our predecessors of peace, prosperity, and refined sensibilities apparently couldn’t stand behind such an offensively crude word as ‘stuffing,’“ she wrote. “Either way, it seems the South embraced the Victorians’ standards, while the North couldn’t be swayed.”
In 2017, Butterball – the turkey folks –released the results of a study on usage of the words. As you’d expect, use of “dressing” is more common in the South. But surprisingly, the study showed only eight Southern states use the word “dressing” more than “stuffing.” In Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky, “dressing” is preferred 62 percent to 38 percent. In Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma, “dressing” is preferred 52 percent to 47 percent (the other percent is unaccounted for. Perhaps they say tur-dress-stuff or something).
In all other regions, “stuffing” beats the stuffing out of “dressing.” I could throw the entire discussion into a turkey-tailspin by mentioning some people in Pennsylvania call it “filling.” We’ll save that debate for later because … where would I even start?
Even Martha Stewart weighed in on the topic: “For me and much of the country stuffing is stuffing simply because of geography. Most northern states call the side stuffing regardless of preparation, while those south of the Mason-Dixon line call it dressing.”
For those still confused, I have a simple way to determine whether to use “dressing” or “stuffing:” If it comes from a box marked Stove Top, it’s “stuffing.” If it’s handmade by MeeMaw, it’s dressing. Either way, I’m going back for seconds.
Read MorePhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has a cool 12 touchdown passes and 11 touchdown runs this season – cool because the Jalen Hurts Foundation is donating $5,000 for every touchdown this season by the former Alabama quarterback to buy air-conditioning units at 10 School District of Philadelphia schools.
The TDs for ACs Campaign is an initiative of the Jalen Hurts Foundation that builds on an earlier donation. On April 19, Hurts donated $200,000 to purchase air-conditioning units for 10 Philadelphia schools.
Hurts talked about the program during an appearance on ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Tuesday.
“The main thing is always to go out there and win and do what you can to help your team win,” Hurts said. “But it extends an opportunity to not only get the fans engaged, but to have purpose behind every touchdown. And it was something that I really thought about, the foundation team thought about, and just trying to continue to foster the change that we already began coming into it. It was something so natural.
“I never watched the news. I’m always locked in and on to the next thing. But I caught one day, I caught that kids were, it was fall and it was rising temperatures in Philadelphia and the school district of Philadelphia had to cancel school because it was so hot, and they didn’t have the proper air-conditioning systems to keep the kids in school. And I mean, something so simple, I mean, but yet so challenging and so important.”
According to the school district’s five-year strategic plan released last year, more than 100 of its schools need air-conditioning installations or upgrades. The 10 schools helped by Hurts’ initial donation are among those that had early dismissals to deal with excessive heat in classrooms.
“The Jalen Hurts Foundation was something that began and was brought to light this year,” Hurts said, “but it was always in me to be impactful and of service in the community, whether I was at Alabama, Oklahoma and now Philly being my home. And so I just wanted to create something that really fostered mentorship to our youth, something that could help progress our youth and serve our youth. And there are multiple ways to do that, and it’s just been a fun process in that I’ve been able to give back.”
The Jalen Hurts Foundation also accepts donations to help with the TDs for ACs Campaign.
Hurts and the Eagles return to the field against the Los Angeles Rams at 7:20 p.m. CST Sunday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Philadelphia has won its past six games to reach 8-2 for the 2024 season. Hurts was asked if the Eagles would make it back to the Super Bowl this season. Philadelphia won the NFC championship in the 2022 season.
“Let’s take it one game at a time,” Hurts said. “It’s been a fun year. It’s been a lot of different things that we’ve had to overcome, and there’s so much more out there for us to do. And so we just want to take it a moment at a time. Hopefully, in that we can rack up these touchdowns for AC.”
FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.
Read MoreDear Annie: I’m writing in response to your column about the woman whose marriage had become strained due to her husband’s drinking. Kudos for emphasizing that he needs Alcoholics Anonymous, but I’d like to encourage you to highlight the importance of Al-Anon for family members a bit more strongly than just one sentence.
Al-Anon has been a lifeline for countless family members of those struggling with alcoholism. It’s not just a place to heal; it’s a community where people can vent, relate, and share their struggles and solutions. The support offered in Al-Anon helps you realize that you’re not to blame for your loved one’s addiction. It teaches that the responsibility for change lies with the person struggling with alcoholism, and it gives family members the tools to navigate this challenging journey with compassion and strength.
I can vouch for this program 100% because it saved my life and even helped heal my marriage. The encouragement and insight I found through Al-Anon helped me set healthy boundaries and rebuild my sense of self during a very difficult time.
Thank you for considering this and for the compassionate advice you offer to your readers. — Power of Al-Anon
Dear Power of Al-Anon: Thank you for your letter and highlighting many of the insights that you learned in Al-Anon.
I’m so glad that you found healing through this wonderful group.
Read more Dear Annie and other advice columns.
“How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” is out now! Annie Lane’s second anthology — featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation — is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit Creators Publishing for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to [email protected].
Read MoreDear Annie: As a wife, mother of three and a full-time program manager overseeing a crisis unit, I juggle a lot of responsibilities.
Despite my busy schedule, I find myself having to be the one to initiate contact with my husband’s side of the family. If I didn’t, we would likely never see them. Maintaining family connections is important to me, and I’m happy to make the effort, but I feel it’s a shared responsibility.
In today’s fast-paced world, I understand that communication can be difficult. Some people are naturally good at staying in touch, while others think about reaching out but may forget with everything else going on. But when it comes to family, I believe that no one should assume the burden alone; communication is a two-way street, and phones work both ways.
So, to the grandparents with a similar issue: I urge you to pick up the phone and make a plan if you’d like to connect. We can’t always know when you want to visit or talk, and none of us can read minds.
Shouldn’t the effort to stay connected be mutual and made together as a family? — It’s a Two-Way Street
Dear It’s a Two-Way Street: Thank you for your thoughtful letter.
Many readers have shared similar suggestions about the importance of grandparents taking the initiative in making plans with their families.
I’m sharing your letter here as an encouraging reminder for grandparents to reach out and say that they want to get together.
Read more Dear Annie and other advice columns.
“How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” is out now! Annie Lane’s second anthology — featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation — is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit Creators Publishing for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to [email protected].
Read MoreOn the first full day in altruistic, socially conscious Aquarius, Pluto would like to remind us that freedom is never free. Freedom must be protected, and that protection comes at a cost. The price tag of freedom is paid in the currency of responsibility. Today, freedom and responsibility will move together like wings in flight. The more you take on, the higher you’ll soar.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’ll come up with 10 solutions to a one-solution problem, which is creative, vigorous and ultimately generous. You’ll be compelled to share your brilliance for the fun and use of others.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Too much sameness makes you run thought patterns in a loop — fine if you’re having a fantastic set of thoughts, but not good for thinking that’s stinking. Either way, it’s better to get out and do new things today.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’ll feel a pull toward the mysteries of your lineage. The stories of your elders will captivate you for a reason. They’ve shaped who you are, and you’ll find yourself mirroring their paths.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Why put yourself in a position to prove a point? There’s no need to start a competition. What would happen if instead you did all you could to support and highlight the wins of another? That would be a win for both of you.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Step back and survey the scene. There are questions waiting to be asked. A good place to start: “Who can help?” and “What’s the simpler way?” Try to get to the source of the issue instead of merely treating symptoms.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your image only matters insofar as it helps you make a difference. Today, someone reveals how you’ve positively impacted their life — a deeper reward than any compliment or surface approval.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’ve scanned the horizon, and now it’s time to narrow in. Specialization is key. Focus on the area that sparks your deepest curiosity, dive into the details, and become an expert. Mastery comes from commitment, not breadth.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). People will look to you for a fresh perspective, and you’ll get them thinking in new directions. This is about a habit that needs breaking. Name it first and you’re halfway there. Changing one small thing will have a domino effect.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’ll have the gift of insight and will understand not just what’s happening but why it matters. Your newfound perspective gives you a calm persistence as you navigate opportunities and obstacles alike.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Your experiences have mellowed you in lovely and surprising ways. Wisdom softens what once felt urgent. Accept the peace that comes with knowing you don’t need to fight every battle because your influence is quietly but profoundly felt without all the drama.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Uncertainty doesn’t equal danger, though your mind may need convincing. When your nerves spike this afternoon, it’s a natural but unnecessary reaction you can read as a reminder to breathe deep and think of the bigger picture.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Your best moments happen when you are in a creative mindset. You have something inside you to express, and it will be a little different with each modality, so stay versatile and be on the lookout for different tools and skills you can add to your arsenal.
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Nov. 20). A year of steady, rewarding growth. You’ll find the ideal balance between ambition and contentment, creating a life that’s on target with your goals while also being deeply fulfilling. More highlights: A journey gives you financial gains from something you thought was a long shot, and friendships that feel like family. Libra and Aquarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 11, 26, 30, 45 and 9.
CELEBRITY PROFILES: Scorpio presidents of the United States have included John Adams (Oct. 30), James K. Polk (Nov. 2), James A. Garfield (Nov. 19), Teddy Roosevelt (Oct. 27), Warren Harding (Nov. 2) and most recently, President Joe Biden. There’s abundant Scorpio energy in Biden’s natal chart with the sun, Mercury, Venus and Mars all in the sign of transformation, hope and constant renewal. These water sign aspects are balanced by a Taurus moon of financial acumen.
Holiday Mathis’ debut novel, “How To Fail Epically in Hollywood,” is out now! This fast-paced romp about achieving Hollywood stardom is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit creatorspublishing.com for more information. Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com.
Read MoreEAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Jaden Akins scored 25 points and Michigan State beat Samford 83-75 on Tuesday night, but Michigan State freshman Jace Richardson left the game late with a left ankle injury.
Richardson, the son of former NBA player and Spartan Jason Richardson, scored 12 points before leaving the game in the final minute and was helped to the bench where the training staff wrapped ice on his ankle.
The Spartans led the entire the entire second half and by as many as 13 points, 74-61, with 4:37 remaining. Josh Holloway scored eight points during a 12-5 surge to pull Samford 79-73 with 31 seconds left before the Spartans sealed it at the line.
Akins was 10 of 15 from the floor and 3 of 7 from long range. Frankie Fidler also scored 12 points and Szymon Zapala chipped in 10 for Michigan State (4-1), who shot 51% (28 of 55) from the floor, made 20 of 23 free throws (87%) and scored 27 points off 19 Samford turnovers.
Jaden Brownell scored 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting and made three 3s to lead Samford (4-2). Holloway finished with 14 points and Lukas Walls added 12.
The Bulldogs opened the game on a 21-8 run that before Michigan State answered with a 30-7 surge for a 38-28 halftime advantage. Akins scored 13 first-half points.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Read MoreUniversity of Mobile basketball coach Darnell Archey said Kaiden Francis, who died Tuesday after collapsing on campus, was everything you could hope for in a student-athlete.
“Kaiden exemplified everything you want from a basketball player coming into a program,” Archey told AL.com late Tuesday night. “Great listener, hard worker and was a sponge. He was willing to do whatever the team asked of him to do. Make the extra pass or get a huge defensive stop.
“In the time I have got to coach Kaiden, his growth on the basketball court was tremendous. This past weekend he had 10 points vs No. 20 team in the country. He was on pace to being freshman of the year in our league.”
Francis, a 6-foot-2 freshman guard from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, collapsed Tuesday morning and “never recovered and passed away earlier today,” University of Mobile President Dr. Charles Smith said in a statement.
Wednesday’s classes have been canceled to allow the university community time to gather. There will be campus-wide time of prayer and mourning on Wednesday.
“My heart breaks for his family, friends and teammates,” Archey said. “He will be truly missed.”
The No. 24 Rams are coming off an 81-49 win at No. 20 Life on Saturday to improve to 6-0 on the season and 2-0 in conference play.
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered liberal arts and sciences university integrating faith and learning with a vision of higher education for a higher purpose.
Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.
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