All Entries in the "Community and Arts Life" Category
Double-dip for these super-crispy, oven-baked onion rings
By Jim Bailey theyankeechef.blogspot.com Not only are these onion rings ultimately crispy, I couldn’t think of a better way to make these tasty treats better for you. These are no-fail, without the deep-frying guilt usually associated when enjoying something so delicious. I have found that butter-flavored cooking spray works equally as well without adding too […]
Escape from mud season with a handful of mysteries
By John Hoover Whether the body is in the drawing room of an English country house or in an alley in some gritty urban area; whether the main character is a police officer, a private detective or an English spinster, the mystery novel, after almost two-thirds of a century of reading, remains among my […]
Heath Gordon Scholarship fund-raiser this Friday
T he Stage Potatoes will be among three groups playing at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 28 for the benefit of the first Heath Gordon Scholarship fund-raiser at the American Legion Post 67, Route 103 in Chester. The cover charge is $10 with all proceeds from the event, which includes a raffle and […]
$6,400 raised during crowded event for Brian Waldo
More than 300 well-wishers attended Saturday night’s fund-raiser for Chester resident Brian Waldo, who has been hospitalized for several months with health issues related to spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spine that he developed over the last several years. According to Pat Budnick, as of Monday morning, $6,400 had been raised with […]
Stalking an easy, flavorful cream of broccoli soup
By Jim Bailey theyankeechef.blogspot.com Not only is this the easiest but it is also the most flavorful cream of broccoli soup you will ever eat! The stalks of the broccoli have always been overlooked when making this soup, with chefs using the bland, almost tasteless florets, which really only adds color value instead of […]
Getting into the act: Area students learn from a Weston star
Students from Killington, Ludlow, Cavendish and Chester descended on the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium Monday afternoon to begin the first in a series of seven acting classes taught by Weston Playhouse favorite and Broadway actress Susan Haefner, who also lives in Andover. About a dozen children in grades 4 through 6, meeting for the […]
Irish stout, cheese and ham elevates an ordinary mac and cheese
By Jim Bailey theyankeechef.blogspot.com I realize St. Patrick’s Day is over, but this macaroni and cheese dish truly should be on everyone’s table, no matter what day or time of year. When you add Irish ham (found universally in most supermarkets) and Irish cheddar cheese (again, frequently found) you have some great flavors working […]
April 5 Ladd Scholarship fund-raiser a time for reflection and the future
On the cover: The Ladd family, clockwise from rear left, son Gabe, parents Heidi and Andy, and daughters Georgia, Lily, Abbie and Marguerite. Laughter and a sense of fun. The desire for world experience. A love of learning. An allegiance to community. Five children who embody those values. A scholarship to offer students a […]
A little tweak updates the classic New England creamed cod
By Jim Bailey theyankeechef.blogspot.com C od has been a New England staple since time immemorial, having been enjoyed by native Americans and expounded upon by the influx of Europeans. Creamed cod is an age-old recipe that deserves to be just subtly Yanked. I think you will find this recipe a perfect example of leaving well […]
Fit for the hall of fame: Peanut butter and banana chip cookies
By Jim Bailey theyankeechef.blogspot.com W e all know Elvis adored his peanut butter and banana sandwiches but I bet you never had a cookie Yanked from his sandwich, have you? You have the smoothness of the peanut butter with the guilt-free crunch of banana chips baked together to treat your children after school. Better […]
For March, a bevy of books rich in Irish tradition
By John Hoover Faith and begorrah! T’is the time for the wearing of the green and we here at Misty Valley Books are all ready to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Our Good Reads recommendations this month all have something to do with the Emerald Isle either taking place there or dealing with the Irish […]
Triple your pleasure with chocolate dipped chocolate biscotti
By Jim Bailey theyankeechef.blogspot.com Many food historians mention that biscotti (biscuits) have been around for many centuries, having been enjoyed since Pliny the Elder before the birth of Christ. He is said to have mentioned that these hard, dry biscuits would last for centuries without going bad. Whether they are called rusks in the British […]
A simple recipe turns out a spiced coconut candy
By Jim Bailey theyankeechef.blogspot.com More often than not, you can find coconut candies attributed to India or another country that uses cardamom as the flavor profile in this hard candy. I think you will find my Yanked version is a refreshingly different taste and one that children as well as the adults will enjoy. Refer […]
Bulkies and basketball: Fund-raisers fuel Lindsey Sturtevant fund
By Cynthia Prairie ON THE COVER: The bulkie team at Lisai’s prepares sandwiches for last Thursday’s fund-raiser for Lindsey Sturtevant and her family. Almost $6,000 was raised Thursday during two fund-raising events for Lindsey Sturtevant, the Chester 12-year-old who is preparing for a second bone marrow transplant after her first one — six years ago […]
A recipe that might just get your kids to eat eggplant
By Jim Bailey theyankeechef.blogspot.com Whether to seed an eggplant or not is entirely up to you. It is the same with cucumbers. If your body can handle it or not would be the deciding factor. Many chefs will tell you to salt eggplant and let sit out for bit before cooking. This is fine […]
For Lindsey’s sake: Community surrounds family as a little girl readies for a marrow transplant
By Cynthia Prairie Sue Willis picks out a few of the glass beads from the wooden box marked T.K. T*, gently rubbing them in the palm of her hand. With each touch, it seems, appears a memory of what her 12-year-old daughter has been through as well as a foreshadow of what she will […]
Snuggle up with a little romance, a lot of love across continents and time
By John Hoover Chocolates in heart-shaped boxes, red roses, candle-lit dinners for two: If it’s February, it must be time for Valentine’s Day and Good Reads’ First Romance Story column. Each month we develop a theme for the Good Reads column, and we can think of no better theme for February than love and […]
Add Yankee-style grits to homemade sausage for a delightful breakfast
By Jim Bailey theyankeechef.blogspot.com Last week I gave you a recipe for homemade sausage that was both tasty and contained much less fat and calories than you can find in prepared pork sausages. This week, let’s put those sausages with a traditional southern dish, made my way! With good ol’ cheddar cheese and apples, not […]
Organizations donate $3,400 to Chester-Andover Family Center
The Chester-Andover Family Center has recently received $3,400 in financial donations from three organizations. Following a House Warming fund-raiser at Baba a Louis Bakery in Chester, the Chester-Andover Democratic Committee was able to present a check for $1,700 to the Family center’s fuel assistance fund to help local families who are struggling financially and cannot pay […]
Gobbling up turkey sausages, the missing link between low calorie and taste
By Jim Bailey theyankeechef.blogspot.com These little tasty treats are called sausages because we use traditional sausage spices to liven up ground chicken or turkey. Believe it or not, you will have cut the fat in half by using ground turkey instead of pork. Turkey also has even less fat and calories than ground chicken. If […]
