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
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