Last month, more than 700 people got sick, 31 were hospitalized and one died after a church fund-raising supper in Maryland. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believe improper handling and storage of a ham dish served at the supper was the culprit.

This year, give yourself a holiday present that saves you money. Treat yourself to a bill-free new year and get ready for the 1998 holiday season while you're at it, said a University of Georgia financial specialist.

Many people want bacon on their burgers and ham for the holidays. But nobody wants a pig in the parlor. And a University of Georgia economist says that not-in-my-backyard attitude poses a real threat to pork production in Georgia.

Bioconversion is a big word for a simple idea. Mostly, it's composting. And University of Georgia scientists are using it to eliminate waste problems.

The bright red and green of poinsettias fit them perfectly into holiday decorating. But today, consumers have many more color choices to choose from, thanks to the efforts of poinsettia breeders. "Poinsettias can now be found in strong white, creamy white, light pink, solid pink, bright orange-red, deep purple-red and traditional red," said Paul Thomas

Georgia homeowners can soon add a bit more of a blaze to the fall color that sweeps through the state every year. A University of Georgia scientist says a new red maple variety will offer vibrant fall color, even in south Georgia.

Gov. Zell Miller and others will officially open the Tifton, Ga., doors of the National Environmentally Sound Production Agriculture Laboratory on Dec. 12. The $6 million University of Georgia lab is the only one of its type in the nation. Its goal is to enable scientists to find better ways to grow food and fiber crops while protecting the environment. "This has been a vision we've all had for several years," said Craig Kvien.

For the first time since the Recommended Dietary Allowances were published in 1941, the requirements for calcium have been increased. "Osteoporosis has become a major public health concern," said Gail Hanula.

Pets' encounters with skunks are never very nice for the pets or their owners. And as intolerable as a thorough skunk spraying can be, a University of Georgia veterinarian says that may not be the worst of it. "Skunks account for many rabies cases in Georgia," said Jim Strickland.