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Holiday Extra! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WEDNESDAY, . . . . . . . . . . . NOVEMBER . . . . . . . . . .21, . . 2012 ................................................................ Special edition reaching more than 23,800 readers today
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National Newspaper Associaton General Excellence Winner
Lunch, anyone? STAFF PHOTO BY CHRISTINE SCHLUETER
Monica Padrnos is making a Candy Cane Marshmallow. After placing the large marshmallow on the candy cane, she dipped it in melted chocolate.
Kids in the kitchen make holiday baking all the more fun When the children are home and lots of holiday hustle and bustle is in the air, take time to plan a special day in the kitchen
PHOTO BY CHRISTINE SCHLUETER
Geri Johnson, grand-prize winner of the 2012 Leader Recipe Contest, dishes up her winning entry — Blueberry Fields Salad.
By CHRISTINE SCHLUETER Special to Leader
T
he kitchen is often called the heart of the home. During the holidays, plan to spend some special time with your children baking up some treats as gifts to give away or to enjoy together with mugs of hot chocolate. Children of all ages like working in the kitchen. Cooking uses many skills including math, measuring, reading, how to do something in steps, and most of all — creativity. Once those basics are in place, children will be anxious to try other recipes and soon will be adding their own ideas to what they like to eat.
See COOKING WITH KIDS Page 8A
Geri Johnson serves up her grand prize-winning Leader recipe By CHRISTINE SCHLUETER Special to the Leader
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lueberry Fields Salad proved to be a winner for Geri Johnson of Hutchinson. Her entry took first-place honors in the Hutchinson Leader’s annual Recipe Contest. Johnson’s recipe is unique and has great appetite appeal. The unusual combination of blueberries with fresh greens and tasty vinaigrette is just the right sweetness with the tang of bleu cheese and the crunchi-
ness of walnuts — a perfect salad with lots of health benefits. According to the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, blueberries are packed with vitamin C, a great source of dietary fiber, an excellent source of manganese, plus they contain substances that have antioxidant properties. Johnson has been cooking for many years and likes to try recipes that have fresh ingredients in them. Her winning recipe was found in one of her favorite magazines, Southern Living. "This recipe is so simple yet tastes won-
Holiday magic johnson@hutchinsonleader.com
For details
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For more information about holiday events, check the weekly A&E Calendar in the Wednesday edition of the Hutchinson Leader.
THURSDAY, NOV. 22 The Little Sisters of Hoboken are back. Glencoe Community Theater will stage the musical comedy “Sister Amnesia’s Country Western Nunsense Jamboree” Dec. 20-21, and Dec. 2831, at the Glencoe City Center. See listings for ticket information.
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"May rich blessings, plenty, peace and prosperity be yours this Thanksgiving Day." — Author unknown. Thanksgiving Dinner — free for all — from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hutchinson VFW, 247 First Ave. S.E. This annual meal is sponsored by the Disabled American Veterans Hutchinson
INFO: 320-587-5000
20 PAGES IN 2 SECTIONS
See RECIPE WINNER Page 10A
Special events add charm to the Christmas season
By KAY JOHNSON is the season to be jolly. There’s no better way to get into the spirit of the holidays than participating in its festivities. Call up your family and friends and make some special memories this year by attending the following special events:
derful," she said. "I do have a couple tips for the recipe. Wait until the end to add the lettuce so it doesn’t get soggy. Keep the greens in a plastic Ziploc bag with a moist paper towel in it for maximum freshness. The onions are optional, but they add a nice, crispy zing to the salad." Johnson said the salad would be great for a picnic — as long as you have each item in a separate container. Then mix it all together or let each person put greens on a plate and then add the toppings and dressing.
Chapter 37 and Auxiliary. Call 320-587-9929 on Nov. 22 for transportation to and from the dinner, take-out orders or deliveries. Donations welcome for veterans homes in Minnesota. Are you looking for some great tasting holiday recipes? Check out the eighth annual edition of “Chris' Top 10 for the Holidays.” Go to hutchinsonleader.com, under the “Community” tab, click on Chris’ Top 10 for cookies, desserts and more!
FRIDAY, NOV. 23 It’s Black Friday! Let the shopping begin. See
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© 2012 HUTCHINSON LEADER
Holiday Extra! inserts for early-bird deals and doorbusters. Arts, Crafts and Gifts Show at the Hutchinson Mall, 1060 State Highway 15 S. Show hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; 320-587-5956. Santa arrives at the Hutchinson Mall, 1060 State Highway 15 S. Visit with him from noon to 5 p.m. Visits with Santa are free. Photos are $5 each and sponsored by the local Boy Scouts. For more information, call Amy Forcier, mall manager, at 320-587-5956. The Old Log Theater in Excelsior gets the holiday season off to a sparkling start with “Little Red Riding Hood,” based upon Charles Perrault’s classic fairy tale. The children’s show will be staged at 1 p.m. weekends through Monday,
See CALENDAR Page 2A