Bi4-Lancast*r Farming, Saturday, December 15, 1990 EFNEP Party Experiences The Joy Of Giving LOU ANN GOOD Lancaster Farming Staff LANCASTER (Lancaster Co.) The biblical saying that it is more blessed to give than to receive, was evident at the Lancas ter Farm and Home Center on December 6. That’s when extension workers held the annual holiday program for the Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program that teaches low-income homemakers to stretch food dollars and provide nutritious meals. The unique part of the EFNEP program is that those who complete the 12-lesson course, then teach others. The participants are invited to the annual Christmas dinner where graduates show their skills by tak ing part in the program. This year, three homemakers who had completed the program planned and cooked the meal, which had an ethnic touch. Anita Rhawn, Maria Camacho, and Bed dy Otero prepared ham with raisin sauce as the traditional American dish; pidgeon peas, pork, and rice that is a Puerto Rican favorite; rice pudding, which is a favorite from the Dominican Republic; broccoli salad derived from the Pennsylva nia Dutch; a sweet potato casserole from Williamsburg origin; and egg custard, a favorite dessert in Ecuador. Margaret Myers, another gradu ate of the program, demonstrated holiday decorations and craft ideas. “I like to make something out of nothing,” she told the guests. She showed the audience how to Margaret Myers, left, demonstrated holiday decorations and craft Ideas. Myers completed the EFNEP program and Is now an advisory board member. The ethnic meal was prepared by (from left) Anita Rhawn, Maria Camacho, and Beddy Otero. The meal Included American dishes ham with raisin sauce, broccoli salad, sweet potato casserole; a Puerto Rican dish of pldgeon peas, pork, and rice; a Dominican Republican dish of rice pudding, and an Ecuadoran dish of egg custard. make a table centerpiece using greens and a candle. “It you don’t have Styrofoam to use as a flower holder, use a potato. It nourishes the greens and keeps them fresh,” Margaret said. She inserted long branches of greens at the bottom of the arrangement, and then built it up. In the top of the potato, she cut a hole to hold the candle. She trimmed the greens with berries, bows and pinecones. Myers also taught the women to make a woven Creative Twist basket for tree ornaments or favors and a miniature candy-covered Christmas tree. In addition to the craft work shop, DebFelax, home economist, gave tips for making clothes last longer through proper care. Ada Gonzalez, a former student of the program who has gone on to become a nutrition education advi sor, demonstrated making egg nog. Extension home economist Doris Thomas emphasized safe holiday cooking. She warned homemakers of the dangers of food poisoning and instructed them, “When in doubt, throw it out.” According to Bert Ford, a nutri tional advisor with the program for nine years, the extension tries to combine the fun of a Christmas party with learning. “For some, this is the only Christmas party that they attend, and they like to dress up for it,” said Ford. The children are entertained and fed by a church volunteer group called Ladies in Fellowship Together, during the teaching ses sions and the dinner. The children join their mothers for the appear ance of Santa played by Grace Appel, a graduate of the program. To the delight of the children, Santa enters ringing a bell while a pianist plays, “Here Comes Santa Claus.” Santa hands out gifts, cookies, candies, apples and oranges that have been donated by churches, individuals, and clubs. Appel said, “I’ve been doing this for five years. I look forward to this every year. It’s something that I can do to make others happy.” Of EFNEP, which helps 5,800 homemakers statewide, Carrie Ros of Ephrata said, “It’s a wonderful program that has given me a lot of self worth.” Carrie has been part of the prog ram for seven years. In the begin ning, she felt as if she had no skills. Through the program, she learned to plan, budget, and cook nutri tiously. But the thing that excites her most, is her gift for flower arranging that was inspired when she attended one of the EFNEP classes “I like doing things. I’m crafty, Shane Eller, 5, was delighted to sit on Santa Claus’s lap. Santa Is really Grace Appel, a graduate of the EFNEP program. The tree was decorated with knitted mittens and caps for the children. “It’s tricky, but fun,” agreed Maria Feliciano, center, and Luz Reyes, right, who made creative twist baskets during the EFNEP holiday program. she said. Since the EFNEP instruc- ers and crafts. I help give back tion class, Carrie has done flower what I received ” arrangements for numerous weddings “Before I couldn’t talk to peo ple. Now I teach others to do flow- Ada Gonzalez, center, a York County EPNEP graduate, taught participants how to make holiday eggnog. With her are Ellle Brower, right, and Brenda Stallman, who received awards for working with the EPNEP program for 10 years. Recent graduates of the nutri tion program were awarded certifi cates. The graduates are Mary (Turn to Page B 15)
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers