Editorial
Front Page - Friday, July 2, 2010
Kay's Cooking Corner
Kay Bona
For a child or young person, sometimes long summer days can go by very slowly when there is nothing to do. Kids are so busy during the school year; summer break can be more of a letdown to them than when they have that structured environment, their games and extra-curricular activities and the camaraderie with all of their friends.
When I was growing up, most area churches offered Vacation Bible School and opened their doors to all kids. However, many of today’s churches have stopped that for one reason or another. Some claim it is too expensive for the budget, some say they can’t get enough help, and some claim that they can’t get the kids.
My church, Calvary Baptist on Cantrell Road, held Vacation Bible School last week, and I am happy to report we had close to 100 in attendance. It was a great turn out and the children had a wonderful time. It was a great week not only for the children attending, but also for the young people of the church that helped with keeping the kids in their respective areas.
I assisted Lois Cox with teaching the third grade, which consisted mostly of boys. We had just three girls. But it was ok because the boys were well behaved and I think they had a great time. Lois had great lesson plans and great snacks, which, with a bunch of boys, is critical.
Which brings me to the subject of my article today; Vacation Bible School snacks. Remember when our generation went to VBS? We had Jackson’s Cookies and usually Grape Kool-aid. However, with today’s in-touch children, VBS snacks have to keep up too!
Our theme this year was Round-up at Saddle Ridge Ranch, so the snacks were all named accordingly, such as; Cowboy Cobblers, Belt-buckle Cookies, Prairie Dogs in a Blanket, Hay Bales, Horse Feed and Montana Mud Pies.
One day, the children were able to chose the one snack they liked the best, and that snack was repeated. The Belt-buckle Cookies won. These were just large sugar cookies decorated to resemble a belt buckle, and served with sprinkles and mini-chocolate chips on the side.
The ladies serving the snacks, Susie Baugh and Pam Simpson, did a great job under some pretty rowdy conditions. Usually the children they were serving were returning from recreation, so quiet and docile they weren’t! However, like I said, they did a great job with all of them, and everyone had a wonderful time.
If you have ever helped with VBS, you know that the children aren’t the only ones that get well fed. The teachers and all of the assistants are also taken well care of by people that prepare food on a daily basis, and one thing I can tell you, it’s not Belt-buckle cookies with sprinkles and mini-chocolate chips.
Although all of the snacks we had were great, one especially tripped my trigger! It was a Corn Dip made by Suzanne Waters. Some of you Realtors might know her from Waters and Waters Realty. She graciously offered her recipe to share with you and it is below.
There are still a few churches are offering VBS in the coming weeks. If you don’t have your child/children enrolled in one yet, check out the churches around your neighborhood. It is a great spiritual opportunity, good fellowship and a time that can fill some of that summer void.
Summer corn dip
1/2 Red onion, diced
1 Red Bell Pepper, diced
2 cans Sweet White Corn,
drained
1 can Black Beans, rinsed,
and drained well
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup Rice Vinegar
Salt as needed
Mix all ingredients together and serve. Best if made a
day ahead.
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