Miss Stephanie's Chowder

Ingredients

• 6 -8 slices bacon, chopped
• 12 cup large onion, chopped
• 3 stalks celery
• 3 -4 large carrots, chopped
• 1 -2 potato, peeled and chopped
• water, for boiling
• 3 -4 cups 2% low-fat milk
• 12 cup salted butter
• 3 -4 cups corn
• 12 cooked ham steak, cubed
• 2 garlic cloves, pressed
• 1 tablespoon peppercorn
• 1 tablespoon white pepper
• 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
• 4 tablespoons flour, to thicken