May is full of events: Mother’s Day, birthdays (at least for our family anyway), the end of the school year, graduations, and even Memorial Day.

Cookouts, parties, dinners, and other methods of celebrations will be held to commemorate the special days. I have to ask a question though. Who invited these doggone sand gnats and deer flies?! Being a history buff, I’ve always wondered about the disappearance of the little community that was created on May 10, 1754 in Bryan County on the Ogeechee: George Town. It was eventually named Hardwicke. Then, it became known as “The Dead Town of Hardwicke” because all of the residents left.

Speculations of course have been given as to the reasons why it became a cape ghost (not to be confused with an escape goat).

As a resident that lives close to this area, I have a really good explanation of why they left. Two words: sand gnats and deer flies. Shoot, the gators and snakes probably provided some entertainment for them…and maybe even some food and snazzy boots or belts. Those gnats and flies? Nope, they were purely the act of some Hellish plague like the locusts and frogs in Egypt. I don’t doubt that the women were the first to go and the men, wanting to stay for the fishing, were the last to hit the dusty trail. So, one day while reading Georgia history and you see Cape Hardwicke…know it was those evil bugs. So, what does that have to do with cooking? It’s a warning. If you are going to cookout…don’t forget the citronella, the screens, the blasters, the No Natz (the legit stuff!). If you are planning to drink a few beers or drinks at these events, you might want to keep it light so that you can still slap at those suckers.

Seriously though, Congratulations to the Class of 2025! Let me give out a special “Whoop! Whoop!” to those of you that have stayed the course (no pun intended) and went after the advanced degrees. You did not settle when you could have, you kept going to improve yourself and make yourself more valuable in the workforce. Three cheers to the kids in grades prek-11 that made it to the final day of the school year! Hopefully you arrived at your last day a lot smarter in life and education than when you first appeared at school for Day 1.

I hope I’m not the only one that gets a bit emotional when I hear “Pomp and Circumstance” being played at graduations. I think that they should sing “Auld Lang Syne”, too and not just the alma mater. That’s a really moving song for me, too. Of course for high schools, we’d have to maybe come up with another word for “buy your pint”...but who doesn’t know it means a pint of Ben and Jerry’s, right?! So many friendships were forged over a year or years, depending on how long you were able to be at one school. When you make that vow to “stay in touch!” Keep it. No excuses. Afterall, with all of the technology available now, it’s a lot easier to actually do it.

If you are looking for a few ideas on what to serve at (or bring to) these gatherings, you are in luck. The “history eventually repeats itself ” goes along even with foods and beverages, too. Since Americans have been finding a way to party for centuries, it’s easy to come up with a dish or even a complete menu.

Thanks to “tradition” being a great source of our southern charms, you will have perfected many of the choices already. Wanting to try something new?

Put a spin on an old favorite.

Here are some tried and true recipes for beverages and party faire to help you along! Bon Appetit!

Easy Punch

(This is a very simple punch that you can make in a short period of time. It’s also very adaptable with various flavors!

The “.4 oz drink mix” is Kool-Aid by any name and flavor. You can use a packet from and flavor that you wish and not just the raspberry) Ingredients: 2 (46 fluid ounce) cans cold pineapple juice 1 1-liter cold lemon-lime flavored soda or ginger ale 1 ( .4 oz) package sweetened raspberry- flavored drink mix powder Directions: Combine all the ingredients in a large punch bowl and serve.

Note: You can prepare ahead of time and place in gallon pitchers. Chill until ready to serve. For an adult only punch, you can add a shot or two of rum to taste.

Raspberry Spritzers

(Feel free to mix up the flavors! Try the raspberry/blackberry frozen berry mix!*) Ingredients

1 10 oz pkg frozen raspberries, thawed * 1 12 oz. can frozen cranberry juice mix from concentrate, thawed 2 12 oz. can frozen pink lemonade concentrate mix, thawed 3 2-liter bottles ginger ale, chilled Directions: Process frozen fruit in a blender until smooth. Combine the raspberry puree and the fruit concentrate in a 2 gallon or larger container (punch bowl or a large pitcher). Stir in the chilled ginger ale just before serving.

Hot Jezebel

If you are from the south, you have seen at least one Jezebel in your lifetime.

No, I’m not talking about a wayward woman. I’m referring to the most classic cracker spread that you can ever find at a party in the south. That ol’ Jezebel will get dressed a lot of different ways, and usually the choice depends on the season or event. The thing that most never changes is the cream cheese. However, you can choose light or regular cream cheese.

Ingredients:

1 (12 ounce) jar apricot preserves 2 teaspoons prepared horseradish 2 tablespoons Dijon-style prepared mustard ground black pepper to taste 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened Directions: In a medium bowl combine apricot preserves, horseradish, mustard, and black pepper. Taste mixture and add more horseradish, mustard, and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate mixture for at least 8 hours. Ready to serve: Place the softened cream cheese on a serving plate. Pour the sauce over the cream cheese. No need to stir!! It just lays there. Serve with a plate or basket of your favorite crackers, including the almighty saltine or club cracker!

To make a traditional Jezebel Sauce, you can create your own OR just buy a jar of hot pepper jelly sauce. Chill it, and pour over the cream cheese. Feel free to decorate ol’ Jezebel with glazed pecans on the side.

Libby Hires is a columnist with the Bryan County News.