“Light One Candle.” Olive, boxwood, bloodwood. Hand turned by George Raeder.
“It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.” Chinese Proverb
I have always had faith in the goodness and generosity of us all. Cups of Kindness has been a testament to this; a testament to the Power if One.
So far, we the people have raised almost $1300 for the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. That means that we have purchased almost 9100 meals. Many hands and hearts are working together to make this happen.
Please join us as we raise a Cup of Kindness. Remember that each dollar raised provides 7 nutritious meals. When you purchase an item from the website or from our galleries as a gift, you are giving many times.
And if you’re in our neck of the woods, stop by the Village of Peninsula, have a cup of coffee (you can even purchase your own cup), and explore our beautiful Cuyahoga Valley. Ride the train, see Santa and the lights as the Polar Express rolls into town. We’d love to visit with you.
For over 100 years, the Peninsula United Methodist Church has held an Election Day dinner. Traditionally, local farmers who were members of the Church donated and prepared the food. The chickens were “so fresh that they had been scratching in the yard the day before”; and the turnips, potatoes, coleslaw, and vegetables had been recently harvested. The women prepared the food and baked pies for the event.
Although the food isn’t all locally produced any more, not much has changed over the years: the food is still prepared and served by volunteers; and all proceeds benefit the Church. The menu is, as always, turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, turnips, green beans, coleslaw, cranberry sauce, bread and butter, homemade pie, and coffee, milk or ice water. It’s a bargain at $10/adult and $8 for carryout.
So if you’re in our neck of the woods on Tuesday, stop at the Methodist Church. Have a seat at one of the long tables, chat with folks about politics, the weather, or whatever suits you. You’ll enjoy a great meal, have fun, and support the Church. If you’d like to make a monetary donation to the Church, please send it to the Peninsula United Methodist Church, 1575 Main Street, Peninsula, OH 44264.
The Village of Peninsula, population 602, gently resisting change since 1834.
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My Town Monday comes to us all via Travis Erwin. Take a trip over there and check out the links from bloggers who share this beautiful blue planet.
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And if you’re so inclined, please visit Cups of Kindness, our art show to benefit the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.
By fromskilledhands (
November 1, 2008 at 12:08 am)
· Filed under Food, Halloween
My kids are beyond the “what in heaven’s name do we do with all this candy” years, but I’ve never forgotten the question. So I looked around and found some “creative” ways to deal with all that stuff, including one that calls itself a salad. Really. Read on:
All you need is:
- a few apples, I prefer green Granny Smith apples
- a bunch of candy bars – Snickers, Baby Ruth, and 3 Musketeers work best
- Cool Whip
Cut the apples and candy bars up into small pieces and mix them with thawed Cool Whip. If the candy is too mushy to cut, put it in the fridge for a few hours.
This is quick, easy, and can be made in a large batch or small servings. Mix and put into small bowls or goblets for easy serving.
Hunger does not discriminate; it affects people without regard to background or social status. In our land of plenty, people are hungry every day; they have to decide between paying rent or eating, between medication or food, between staying warm and buying groceries. Of this I am certain: having enough to eat is a right rather than a privilege.
The mission of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank is simple: Ending Hunger.
Ending hunger is more than just our mission; it’s something we strive to do everyday. It’s a pledge we have made to our community to end hunger in Summit, Stark, Portage, Medina, Wayne, Holmes, Tuscarawas and Carroll counties. In 1982, based on a commitment by community leaders to help the increasing number of families requesting food assistance, the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank was formed. In 2007, the Foodbank distributed over 12 million pounds of food and provided meals for over 163,000 people in need in Northeast Ohio.
The Foodbank uses its resources well: each dollar that is donated purchases 7 nutritious meals. Meals that provide sustenance to people who are already stressed. No questions asked. When I recently toured the facility, I was amazed by the quantity of food that was ready to distribute to agencies large and small. The facility was immaculate; the people, both volunteers and paid staff, passionate about their purpose.
We are reaching out to others by giving hope. There is, I think, joy and intrinsic satisfaction in helping people who will never know who we are. As members of a world community, we have a moral and ethical responsibility to share our resources and to preserve dignity.
This show and sale of small scale art will showcase artists’ interpretations of a Cup of Kindness, and will include both 2 and 3 dimensional artwork. All proceeds from the show will benefit the Foodbank. For information about this event, please go to http://www.cupsofkindness.net. If you would like to donate directly to the Akron- Canton Regional Foodbank, please click here.
Fall in Northeast Ohio is a sensory experience; the crisp quality of the air, the colors when the leaves start to change, and then when they explode with color. The smell of the leaves as they fall on the ground, the sound of them as one walks through them. Apples and cider, their beautiful colors and wonderful aromas.
The Village of Peninsula, population 602, is a beautiful place to experience Fall. The Cuyahoga Valley abounds with life, from the trees and flowers, to the animals and insects, to the people who come to drink it all in.
On Saturday mornings, from the end of May to the beginning of October, the Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy sponsors a Farmers’ Market at Heritage Farms. Local vendors bring vegetables and fruit, eggs, flowers, coffee, cheeses and meats, breads and pastries, and a bit of craft. There is always something to taste, and music to enjoy.
Take a look at last Saturday’s Market. We’ll be enjoying potatoes and onions, beans and beets, scones, foccacia, and roasted vegetable and cheese loaf over the next week or so. And if you’re in our neck of the woods, come on over. We’ll have a cup of coffee, stroll through the Village and relax. The Village of Peninsula, gently resisting change since 1832.
On the way to the Market. I didn’t see the tree until I posted the photo.
The red barn houses additional items for sale.
Mums and pumpkins are another sign of Fall in my town.
The Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy provides information about it’s many projects.
The beautiful farmhouse at Heritage Farms is over 100 years old.
The skilled hands of the chef make wonderful things to eat, including foccacia and scones.
Fresh picked corn and apples at the Market.
When I left the Farmers’ Market, I returned to our studio, just in time to see the steam engine roll into the Village. Perfect.
As always, My Town Monday is the product of the imagination of one of Amarillo, Texas’ own, Travis Erwin. Wander on over there and see what Travis and the other MTM clan have to say.
Today we’re sharing recipes for side dishes, salads and desserts. With these tried-and-true recipes, we’ll be extremely popular and get invited to all sorts of picnics this summer. And if we don’t want to go, we’ll stay home and be very well fed.
These skilled hands are not known for following recipes. They tend to follow my Grandmother’s kind of cooking.
Years ago, my sister wanted to know how to make some of my grandmother’s recipes. First she asked her how much of each ingredient to use. “As much as it takes,” was my Grandmother’s reply. Then she asked how hot the oven or stovetop should be. My Grandmother said, “Cook it at a temperature hot enough to cook it, but not hot enough to burn it.” How long to cook it? “As long as it takes.” So my sister followed my Grandmother with measuring spoons and measuring cups and dutifully wrote down the ingredients. Then she made the recipe.
It tasted different. Certainly not as good as my Grandmother’s.
So here is my recipe—kind of—for Cabbage Salad:
Cut up a cabbage in slaw-sized pieces. Place it in a large bowl. Add any other sliced or shredded vegetables, i.e.: carrots, peppers. I add nuts of some kind, usually almonds or walnuts. I also add Craisins, or strawberries (fresh) or raisins. Add white basalmic vinegar and salt and pepper to taste. Toss and refrigerate.
It really is good. Even without a recipe.
Wander on over to Barrie’s place. You’ll find recipes from all kinds of folks. Post a recipe on your site, let Barrie know, and she’ll add you to the Round-Up.
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