I hope you won’t mind if I share one more fair story. After working long hours at the Barton County Fair and assisting with a couple events at the Ellis County Fair I had one more County Fair to visit. Our oldest granddaughter, Calyn, joined the Clyde Roadrunners 4-H Club which is located in Cloud County. A visit to their fair activities earlier this week turned out to be a lot of fun.
When we arrived at our kids’ house Monday afternoon, Calyn was busy preparing her two foods entries, pumpkin muffins and gluten-free no bake cookies. She carefully selected the three best muffins and cookies and placed them on the high counter in their kitchen. Later that evening we heard Calyn shriek when she discovered her 2-year-old brother had found the muffins, eaten part of one and poked his fingers in the other two! With tears streaming down her cheeks we encouraged her to find three more muffins that could be entered. They weren’t quite as perfect as the first three but they would have to do.
Judging went well the next day, with the judge complimenting Calyn on her choices of recipes for her first year in the foods project. Calyn shared with the judge that her brother had ruined her best shaped muffins. In spite of that she was awarded a purple ribbon. Later that evening after taking in the Fashion Revue, Calyn walked by the Champion Foods case and noticed a Reserve Champion rosette beside her pumpkin muffins. That brought a smile to her face!
Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming Educational Programs
I am getting ready to start another Stay Strong Stay Healthy Workshop on Thursday, Aug. 17th. The eight-week class meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays and targets older adults who want to improve their strength, flexibility and balance. There is a $20 registration fee and class size is limited so call our office at 620-793-1910 to register.
A Food Preservation Basics class will be held at noon on Thursday, Aug. 17, at the Cottonwood Extension District Office in Great Bend, 1800 12th Street. Cottonwood District Agent Linda Beech will review the science of preserving food at home. In this free one-hour program, you’ll receive the latest home canning guidelines, plus advice on canning equipment and products.
Participants will learn that just because a jar seals doesn’t mean it’s safe. It is important to use up-to-date canning recipes and equipment. Instead of untested online recipes or old-fashioned, hand-me-down procedures, home canners should rely on current USDA recommendations and reputable sources of research-based food preservation information.
Mark Tuesday, Aug. 22nd at noon on your calendar and come by the Extension Office meeting room at 1800 12th Street for a “Medicare Basics” program. Erin Petersilie, Walnut Creek District Extension Agent, will be the presenter. Anyone who is new to Medicare or who will be turning 65 soon will receive lots of valuable information.
Feel free to give me a call if you have any questions about these learning opportunities!
Donna Krug is the Family & Consumer Science Agent and Cottonwood District Director with K-State Research and Extension, Barton County. Contact her at 620-793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu
