Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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The reason for the season will be the focus of the 35th annual Women's Holiday Tea, planned for Dec. 3, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, in Orchard, at 4 p.m. Area women are welcome to join in the festivities and show their holiday spirit. Chicken noodle soup and desserts will be served. Jazz up a cuppa cocoa at the hot chocolate bar. A freewill donation will be accepted....
“I don’t need stress; I need my shopping bag. It’s almost Black Friday.” Um, I’ve never uttered those words, much alone given day-after-Thanksgiving sales a lot of thought. I’ve gone shopping on Black Friday a handful of times. The first time was nearly 25 years ago. The Menards sales ad listed several great deals and our family decided we needed a certain item from the circular. What item? I don’t remember. I’m sure it was some insignificant piece of plastic made outside of the USA, but hey, t...
It's hot. You're hot. And you want a cool treat to cool off. Preferably something that just came out of the freezer. Sure you can go to the grocery store and buy all sorts of frozen goodies: Ice cream sandwiches and bars, popsicles and a variety of novelty treats. But why not get a little creative and make your own? And some of these recipes are easy enough for kids to do on their own. Let's start with the classic ice cream sandwich and a recipe from Alison Ladman. "The classic combination of...
As I look out my kitchen window, I’m not only day dreaming in color for spring and summer, I’m also enjoying the fluffy capping of white as the recent snow covers the landscape. What a fun site as birds are fluttering around the bird feeders and winging their way to the bird bath. Mother Nature gave us this beautiful winter setting, although I know it also makes for a lot of extra work for farmers and road crews. My visions and dreams of color have been spurred by the seed catalogs that hav...
For kids and adults alike, hot cocoa is often at the top of the list of favorite winter beverages. And with all the store-bought powdered packets available, it's certainly easy to prepare. But guess what? Making your own isn't that much more difficult, and the effort is worth it. And if you're having a party or family gathering, why not create a hot cocoa bar and let the guests add their toppings of choice? Topping musts for all ages include marshmallows, candy canes or peppermints, colored...
Wonder what the hype is all about when it comes to charcuterie boards? Interested in knowing how to pair food items and stage a board? A class, sponsored by the Clearwater Public Library, can help. On Nov. 29, at 6:30 p.m., attendees will meet at The Office, at 522 Main Street, in Clearwater, to learn how to pair foods, layout items and taste a cheese board. A hot cocoa board will also be available for sampling. Gain hands-on experience as each participant makes an individual-sized board to...
Are you ready for the State Fair? It's set to start Friday, Aug. 26, in Grand Island and runs through Labor Day. I've been able to make it the past two years - not sure about this year, although I'm going to make it work. The 2020 fair was unlike any other I'd previously attended thanks to the pandemic. No carnival, no concerts, a reduced number of vendors, and everything spread out, made the fairgrounds seem a little empty. Last year was better although I still couldn't find my favorite food...
Temperatures soared near 75 degrees on Feb. 28, but that didn't stop Summerland students and staff from purchasing a warm beverage for a cause. Members of the sixth-grade class served a hot chocolate bar, offering flavored syrups, chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, sprinkles and whipped cream to top the drink, served during the school's Bobcat Academy. The project incorporated multiple disciplines and resulted in a service-learning experience students won't soon forget. Instructor Chantelle...
A few weeks ago, I read somewhere that March is National Peanut Butter Month. "Aha!" I thought. "Perfect topic for a column sometime soon." But when I began doing research, I discovered that whoever wrote that was wrong. As far as I can tell, there is no actual National Peanut Butter Month, although November is recognized as National Peanut Butter Lovers Month. So while peanut butter doesn't get it's own month, people who love peanut butter do. They also get their own day with National Peanut...
A Clearwater business is offering last-minute holiday gift suggestions. On Saturday, from 3 to 5 p.m., the Sidebar, located in The Office, at 522 Main Street, will host a sip, shop and socialize event. Shop the Sidebar for gift items, stocking stuffers and teacher gifts. Paparazzi Jewelry will be onsite, offering the latest trends. Jim Bean coffee, apple cider, hot cocoa and wine will be served while guests shop. A cookie exchange is also planned. Bring a dozen of your family's favorites and...
A Clearwater woman wants to share the magic of Christmas with others. Lori Knapp spent the majority of November transforming the lane to her rural home into a holiday wonderland. A line of lights illuminates the display, located approximately one mile east of Clearwater on U.S. Highway 275. Nativity scenes, colorful Santas and frolicking deer - maybe reindeer - guide visitors along the lighted path. Santa's workshop and the light display will be open Saturday, Dec. 4, and Sunday, Dec. 5, from 6...
It's no secret I'm not a big fan of pumpkin pie. Especially pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream. I know for some folks confessing I don't like pumpkin pie is practically criminal, but it is what it is. It's not that I hate pumpkin pie, it's just not my first choice. If I have one piece a year (hold the whipped cream, please), I'm good. When it comes to holiday desserts, there are other choices for me. And I don't dislike pumpkin in general (but don't get me started on pumpkin spice!). Several...
It's 55 degrees this September morning and I'm greeting the day with a cup of hot cocoa. I'm a cocoa fan rather than a cup of hot coffee. Despite the cool temperature I have my kitchen window open as I peer outside at the flower garden. Crickets can be heard singing a serenade which I hope is their goodby song. Of course their song also means goodbye to the bright, warm summer days. The plants are transitioning into fall as some of them have lost their growing vigor. Yet others seem to blend in...
Taste of Home; www.tasteofhome.com Cinnamon Chocolate Sundaes: Kids will enjoy this tempting ice cream topping because it hardens on the ice cream as it stands. Store-bought sauces just can't compare to this homemade concoction. Cinnamon Chocolate Sundaes Any way you top it: Ice cream the ultimate summer treat Is there anyone you know who doesn't like ice cream? Sure we all that one person who says their favorite flavor is vanilla (seriously?), but is there really someone out there who doesn't l...
Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start to summer, and many of us will observe the holiday with cookouts, road trips and other activities that involve food. And I think this year we will really be looking forward to getting outdoors and getting together with friends or family members we might not have seen for awhile. I know Memorial Day is also supposed to be the start of grilling season, but what if your group just wants to get together and eat and not have to cook when you get to...
Dear Santa, It is almost Christmas and I am feeling very excited! Some presents I would like to ask for this year are ukulele and a Mp3 player. To show you what I think of when we talk about Christmas, I drew you a picture of joy and Jesus' birthday. Merry Christmas! Love, Makenna Bergman Dear Santa, It is almost Christmas and I am feeling very jolly! Some presents I would like to ask for this year are OMG surprise, American Girl doll, Omari, a bouncy ball, and a fingerling. To show you what I...
Growing up, homemade ice cream was a special summer treat I always looked forward to. It was special because the only kind of ice cream freezer we had then was the kind you turned with a crank. And it seemed to take forever. I remember at Grandma and Granddad’s house, the grandkids got to take turns with the crank. The recipe was pretty basic — vanilla, of course — but to be honest, I don’t remember it and can’t seem to find a copy anywhere. And that’s probably for the best. Back in those days,...
It’s late Sunday evening, the wind sounds like a freight train racing through town, and when I glance out the front door, I cannot tell if it is still snowing or if it’s simply blowing what snow already has landed. Scott is stranded at the farm. He tried to make the drive home, but after a mile, the pickup slammed into a drift. Thank God for cell phones and Dad, who brought a tractor to extract the vehicle. Farmers and ranchers never get to experience snow days. Livestock need to be fed and che...
