Libby Hires
Local Columnist
When I was younger, my grandmother would announce about 2 weeks before the start of school “The bells at the school house will be ringing soon!” It would be the saddest news we would here during summer vacation. We tried to hold on to each day as if we would never see another one like it…ever. As I have mentioned before, my grandmother lived with us. When I got older, I realized that she was probably pretty happy to hear those bells. She could finally have some peace and quiet.
My father would give my grandmother some time away from us during the summer. We would go to Vacation Bible School in June, and then he would initiate “Mother’s Day Out” within the church community. Guess who he nominated to help? My 3 older sisters and I were placed in different groups to help keep the younger kids entertained. He was one of the first ones to create “Christmas in August” as well in the early 70s. Christmas in August began as a school supplies gift to needy children. Kids and their parents would take shoe boxes or other similar boxes and fill them with pencils, glue, scissors, and other needed school supplies. After all the packages were gathered, they were donated to the children that needed that extra help for a wonderful beginning of school.
It doesn’t take a lot to help other people. It just takes a community taking one small step at a time. As the adage goes, “It takes a village!” Even teachers need a little bit of assistance purchasing items for their classroom. Some teachers will create a “wish list” on Amazon for people can help. Sometimes it will include books for a classroom library, pencils and erasers for students that need one, markers, etc. Please help teachers out this year! God bless teachers; they have such a special task trying to teach children. Keep students and all school employees in your prayers this school year.
Here are a couple recipes to help celebrate the new school year. These dishes are great for sharing, too. No need to wait for American Education Week… give these goodies to kids having a back-to-school party or for meeting new teachers! Bon Appetit!
Angel Cake
(This cake is as good as is, but is amazing with whipped cream and fresh strawberries on top of each slice.)
1 ½ cups sugar, divided
1 cup sifted cake flour
12 egg whites at room temperature
½tsp. salt 1 ½ tsp. cream of tarter
½ tsp. almond or rum extract
1tsp. vanilla extract
Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl, sift together ½ cup of sugar and cake flour. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, add egg whites and salt. Mix until foamy. Add cream of tartar and mix until soft peaks form. Mix in 1 cup of sugar slowly until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the flour mixture into the egg white mixture. Add the extracts. Slowly spoon the batter into a non-stick 10 -inch tube pan. Bake at 375 degrees until cake is golden, about 30-35 minute. Invert cake onto a plate, but do not remove the pan. Let cake become cool. Remove cake from pan.
Peanut Brittle
(This is a nice treat that is quickly made! It makes a great little gift, too!)
Butter or margarine for greasing pan
1 cup unsalted dry-roasted peanuts
1cup sugar
½cup light corn syrup
1/8 tsp.salt
1tsp. unsalted butter
1 tsp. vanilla flavoring
1tsp. baking soda
Directions: Grease a cookie sheet with butter and set aside. In a large Pyrex bowl, stir together peanuts, sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Microwave on high for 8 minutes, stirring after 4 minutes. Stir in butter and vanilla. Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Quickly stir in baking soda until light and foamy. CAUTION: Mixture will be very hot. Pour immediately into prepared pan and spread evenly and thin. Cool completely then break into pieces. Store in a Ziploc storage bag or an airtight container.
Libby Hires is a columnist with the Bryan County News.