(618) MAGAZINE HOMETOWN JUNE 2021
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from the
EDITOR
EDITOR Andrea Howe ahowe@mtcarmelregister.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Maegan Saalwaechter
CONTRIBUTORS June bugs and summer nights are on our doorstep as we enter June with so many more opportunities for getting out and about for family and community gatherings than we had a year ago. It’s the month traditionally known for Father’s Day and for weddings. Mona Warrick offers a wonderful story about a White County woman’s labor of love to bring her ancestors’ rickety old barn back to life, and the Father’s Day photograph of the restoration that kick-started Higher Ground LLC as a popular wedding and events venue. Kim Bayless fires up the grill for lime chicken and side dishes that are perfect for a summer supper, topped off with an orange chiffon cake. Corey Woolsey offers the story of a father’s plans to help create a community garden in Mount Carmel, while Erin Zinzilieta-Pennington gives us an update on her summer container gardening project. Warrick also caught up with the founder of the White County chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a non-profit entity which enlists volunteers to build beds for children in need. We love sharing the good stories of all our good neighbors in the (618) neighborhood. We have plenty more planned for coming issues, but if you have a story idea you’d like to share, we would love to bring it to readers. As a reminder, nonprofit organizations and churches are encouraged to share information about upcoming festivals and family-oriented events in our monthly calendar. Please email them to news@ mtcarmelregister.com. Remember, we work a month ahead, so please send your information as early as possible. Enjoy this month’s issue, share it with your friends — and be sure to thank the advertisers who make it possible for us to bring (618) Hometown Magazine to so many homes free of charge.
Kim Bayless Mona Warrick Corey Woolsey Erin Zinzilieta-Pennington
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Community Events JUNE 6
JUNE 18
2021 Strawberry Festival
Wabash RootsnQue Music Festival in Mt. Carmel, Illinois.
Princeton, Ind. – St. Joseph Catholic Church – 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. 2021 Strawberry Festival is a drive-through edition with BBQ dinner starting 10:30 a.m., serving a Dewig’s BBQ sandwich, coleslaw, baked beans and chips. Basket raffle is back again with some great baskets! Everyone invited.
Bring a lawn chair and a hearty appetite to enjoy some award winning barbecue for sale! Entertainment is free, a variety of music from a variety of bands.
JUNE 19 Boots, Bulls and Country Music
JUNE 12
Carmi, 4 – 11 p.m.
Family Fun Day Grayville KOA
JUNE 13 Summer Makers Market
Princeton, Ind. – 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Located around the Downtown Princeton Courthouse lawn. Food, Handmade Goodies, Crafts, Direct Sales Groups, Sweet Treats, Photo Ops, Etc.
Peoples National Bank presents “Boots, Bulls and Country Music!” at the White County Fairgrounds in Carmi, at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 19. This event kicks off at 4 p.m. with the Rafter 7P Production Rodeo presented by Wabash General Hospital. Following the rodeo is a concert Presented by Rice Motor Company with Headliner Jason Michael Carroll. Proceeds from the event benefit The Guardian Center.
GET ON THE CALENDAR Want to see your event on the (618) Hometown Magazine Event Calendar? Send us an email at: news@mtcarmelregister.com * Event listings are on a first-come, first-served basis
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(618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE JUNE 2021 1
Casburn brings community garden to Mount Carmel WRITER: COREY WOOLSEY After several years of dreaming, the dream is becoming a reality for Cory Casburn. Casburn has spent years envisioning a community garden for the City of Mount Carmel, and with one quick vote of the Mount Carmel City Council, the visions are rapidly beginning to take shape. The new Levy Park and Community Garden is under the League of Artists, a new arts guild that plans to perform theatre productions around the area, once the COVID-19 pandemic is behind the community. The community garden will be located in the grassy area in the industrial park, near the Wabash River bridge. Fundraising is off to a good start for the program, with a one-day Facebook fundraiser that brought in $500. “The Facebook fundraiser wasn’t even really an announced event,” Casburn said. The garden will feature raised planting beds that residents and businesses can
hopes to use the former Ag Days stage at the
sponsor and even plant themselves (however,
location to begin shows in the near future.
Mount Carmel City Commissioners and Mayor Joe Judge approved the use of the land
Casburn said that doing your own work is
Another benefit of the garden is the plan to
for the garden and have also donated the first
not required), a geodesic dome, which would
donate 100% of all food grown to groups like
1,000 gallons of water used for planing at the
allow smaller vegetables to be grown over the
the Lunch Wagon, WADI and other food pan-
site. Casburn also said the project is receiving
winter, and, long range, Casburn wants to see
tries for families in need.
donations of dirt for a compost pile.
an amphitheater in the location that would allow musical acts to perform for residents and visitors to town.
“Those groups donate to many families, so the need is there,” Casburn said. Casburn said the garden will hopefully pro-
Community members who want to be a part of the action can contact Casburn through Facebook.
“We have some spaces in town for concerts,
vide those traveling across the bridge with the
Donations are also welcome and a savings
but this would easily seat 2,000 and distanced
welcoming sight of the dome lit with bright col-
account is set up at First National of Mount
easily,” Casburn said.
ors, surrounded by flowers and people in the
Carmel and Allendale, or you can contact Cas-
community working together on the garden.
burn as well.
Until the amphitheater is completed, he
This could be the start of something great!
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Sleep in Heavenly Peace chapter part of nationwide mission WRITER: MONA L. WARRICK “Son, this is your last night on the couch.”
he was joined by friends and family members.
flows into other areas and we would love to
This, said Kyle Fenton, “is why we do this.”
“That first project, we built 11 bunk beds in
have teams in surrounding areas!” Currently,
Fenton is a man with a heart for children and
my garage,” he said. “The next year, we did 15.
there are no local chapters outside of Evansville,
his community. In early 2020, Fenton organized
Then it doubled every year. In 2017, we built
Indiana.
a local chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace. He
612 bunk beds.”
The local chapter does fundraising, organiz-
and his wife, Theresa, saw this as a way to give
After seeing Rowe’s show, the Fentons visit-
es build days, delivers and assembles the beds
back. “My heart is about sharing a little bit
ed the SHP website, https://www.shpbeds.org,
onsite. “Many hands make the work easy,” said
of God’s love by people helping people,” said
and read about how to start a chapter. “Theresa
Fenton. “For the build days, we partner with
Fenton.
and I signed up and flew to the headquarters in
organizations, churches, businesses and indi-
Twin Falls for training.”
viduals.” Fenton said the organization is blessed
The Fentons became interested in the organization after seeing an episode of Mike Rowe’s
Today, SHP has more than 200 chapters
show Returning the Favor. “It broke my heart
in the United States that have built more than
with faithful, local sponsors. SHP is gearing up for the third annual Bunks
to see that so many kids go to bed, every night,
35,000 beds for children in need. SHP offers
Across America (BAA) event, where local chap-
without a warm bed of their own. I couldn’t
training courses and construction manuals for
ters across the nation, participate in the largest
believe this is a reality in almost every place
those wanting to get involved.
bed building event in a single day. BAA 2021
in America,” said Fenton. “Parents are doing
Child bedlessness is a nationwide problem.
will take place Saturday, June 12. The goal for,
the best they can, but often a child’s bed is an
Approximately one in five children, in the Unit-
BAA 2021, is to build 750 beds with 15,000 vol-
expense, families living paycheck to paycheck,
ed States, facing poverty and homelessness
unteers. “We aren’t sure yet where the build
can’t afford. Our goal is to find these kids and
either don’t have a bed of their own or don’t
will be held,” said Fenton. “Check our Facebook
give them a bed of their own. The difference
have a bed at all. According to the American
page for updates.”
this can make in a child’s well-being is immea-
Academy of Pediatrics, sleep plays a crucial role
“We would love to have employers and
surable.”
in the development of young minds. In addition
employees join together for team builds,” said
Founded by Luke and Heidi Mickelson, of
to having a direct effect on happiness, AAP
Fenton. “We do all the legwork. Businesses
Twin Falls, Idaho, SHP builds twin beds and
research shows that sleep impacts alertness and
and organizations sponsor the build, employers
bunk beds for children who don’t have beds of
attention, cognitive performance, learning and
recruit employees to the build. And, the local
their own. When Mickelson learned there were
memory.
chapter rolls up with all the tools and mate-
children in his community sleeping on the floor,
“The White County Chapter of SHP boasts
rials to run a successful build, assembly line
he built and donated his first bed in 2012. In a
a wonderful team of dedicated people,” said
style. These builds are great fun with volun-
2019 interview with People magazine, Mickel-
Fenton. “We can always use more volunteers!
teers working together to make a difference in
son said he began building beds in his garage,
We cover a large territory, White, Gallatin and
a child’s life.”
using his daughter’s bed as a template. Soon,
Saline Counties. Our chapter sometimes over-
4 (618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE JUNE 2021
Last year’s event, despite the COVID-19 pan-
poverty in
at Washington are homeless. Of the 189 second and third graders at Jefferson School, one of WAC’s feeder schools, 53% are low income, and nine percent are homeless.
618
Poverty. Homelessness. Hunger.
demic, saw 118 local SHP chapters join forces to build 4,637 beds! Without the support of local and national sponsors, none of this would be possible. Lowe’s and Lucid Mattress are two of the national sponsors of SHP. “Once the bed pieces are made, we schedule deliveries to approved applicants when volunteers are available. Before the scheduled delivery appointments, volunteer teams of three to six people meet at a staging location where they load the beds, mattresses, bedding, hardware and tools,” said Fenton. “We then head out to deliver, assemble and make the beds. No special skills are required. Families or groups of friends can volunteer to do deliveries together while individuals can be paired with other volunteers. It’s great to have women and children on delivery teams to connect with recipients. A typical delivery takes approximately two hours. But, be warned! Watching the joy on the face of a child receiving a bed can be habit forming!” According to the SHP website, there are two ways to request a bed: As a bed recipient, to qualify as a bed recipient, you must be the legal guardian of the child or children receiving the bed. There is an online SHP application form. Or, you may also request a bed as a referral. Referring a family for a bed is a big responsibility. Generally, it is through referrals that SHP finds families who need beds the most. Referrals are also required to submit an online SHP application form. Beds are donated to children, ages two to 17. Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a volunteer-driven and donation-driven nonprofit. Any donations received go towards: purchasing materials for beds; bed assembly and delivery; and building and improving the organization. “The donations we get from individuals, service groups or corporations determine how many beds we can produce and deliver,” said Fenton. “It is such a blessing to help these children and their families. Our pursuit is to help families until each child has a bed to snuggle into.” To learn more about the local Sleep in Heavenly Peace Chapter, visit their website https://www.shpbeds.org/chapter/il-white-co. There are many ways to get involved with the local chapter. For more information, contact Kyle Fenton at 217-299-1557, or email him at Kyle. fenton@shpbeds.org. Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. All donations are
Well into the 21st Century, America continues to battle these issues. If you think, “We live in rural America, we don’t have those problems,” you are wrong. Facts, gleaned from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 Census, indicate that 14.5% of White County residents, 13.5% of Edwards County residents, and 11.8% of the residents in Wabash County live in poverty. In other words, of the nearly 31,500 residents in the three counties, nearly 4,000 people live below the poverty line. A family of four, living on $24,200 (or less) annually, is considered living in poverty. Oftentimes, those most affected are the children living in those households. Let’s look at one local school district to put these statistics into perspective. This information is from the 2019-2020 Illinois Report Card. Carmi-White County CUSD 5 is a medium size district that includes six schools: Lincoln Attendance Center, Jefferson Attendance Center, Washington Attendance Center, Carmi-White County Junior High, Carmi-White County High School, and Brownsville School. Kindergarteners and first graders attend Lincoln Attendance Center. Of the 199 students enrolled, 53% are low income and 10% are homeless. Washington Attendance Center is home to students in grades four through six,and of the 328 students enrolled, 62% are considered low income. Eight percent of the students
Carmi-White County Junior High’s enrollment, of 213 seventh and eighth graders, includes 61% low income, while eight percent are homeless. Fifty-one percent of the students at Carmi-White County High School are considered low income. Eleven percent, of the 349 enrolled, are homeless. Despite this, the school boasts a 95% attendance rate. “Students who are sharing housing with other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship are considered homeless,” said Leanett Lovell. “Additional reasons that a student might be considered homeless is the family is living in a motel, trailer park, campgrounds, transitional shelters due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations. Once a student is considered homeless then the student remains homeless for the school year.” Lovell is the Homeless Liaison for Carmi-White County CUSD 5. For information on available services, contact her at Carmi-White County High School, 618-382-4661. According to the Illinois State Board of Education, low income students are those who receive or live in households that receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families benefits; are classified as homeless, migrant, runaway, Head Start, or foster children; or live in a household where the household income meets the U.S. Department of Agriculture income guidelines to receive free or reduced-price meals. If you would like more information on any of these topics, or to look up a particular school, see illinoisreportcard. com, isbe.net, and census.gov.
tax deductible.
(618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE JUNE 2021 5
dream planted ON HIGHER GROUND WRITER: MONA L. WARRICK
6 (618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE JUNE 2021
“Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
barn in 1891. Charles and his wife, Emma Mur-
Completed in 1900, the Queen Anne that
By faith on Heaven’s tableland
phy Dagley, would soon make this hillside their
Emma and Charles shared with their family, is
A higher plane than I have found
home.
now home to McKinney and her husband, Doug
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
Emma’s
father
(McKinney’s
Sands.
great-great-grandfather Murphy) dug up $1,000
The home was built on the barn’s original
I want to scale the utmost height
in gold that he had buried beneath horse
site. McKinney credits the decades-long build-
And catch a gleam of glory bright
troughs on his Gallatin County farm. Murphy
up of horse manure for the beauty of her rose
But still I’ll pray, ‘till heaven I’ve found
gave his daughter the gold and told her to “build
bushes! “They are taller than I am,” said McK-
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
her dream house,” McKinney said. “Emma
inney. “We have to cut them down ever y year
had fallen in love with a Queen Anne Victori-
because the old manure keeps them fed!”
Inspiration strikes when least expected; in the middle of the night; in a dream; while sing-
an in nearby Omaha. With her father’s money, Emma’s dreams would soon come true.”
McKinney began restoration of the barn in Januar y of 2007. She said her father, Graham
ing a favorite hymn. And sometimes, that inspi-
Dagley “Dag” Mills, would have told her to just
ration leads to something totally unexpected.
“let it fall, let it go.” After all, the 55’ x 65’ barn
Such is the story of a centuries old barn, not unlike dozens of others scattered around Southern Illinois, that had fallen into disrepair. Today, the once decrepit barn is Higher Ground LLC, a popular wedding and event center. Higher Ground’s story can’t be fully appreciated without learning more about its owner, Pam Mills McKinney, her vision of bringing the barn back to life, and her ancestors. Season after season, McKinney watched the barn crumble closer to the soil.
From this hill, you can see more than 40 miles, all the way to Kentucky and Indiana.
was in shambles and more than a third of the roof had been blown away. Knowing how much the farm meant to her Grandmother Madeline was all the motivation McKinney needed to begin restoration. “She would have been the only one to tell me to go for it! She always told me, ‘if it suits you, it suits me.’ She would not have mentioned money or upkeep!” As an only child, McKinney said, “I wasn’t about to let my grandmother’s barn fall on my watch!” Madeline was born the year the farm was
“I decided the barn wasn’t going down completely,” said McKinney. “Not on my watch, it
Emma had long fantasized about a summer
purchased and was 10-years-old when the house
wasn’t.” Understandable, given McKinney’s con-
kitchen. “Being the smart cookie she was, she
was finished. “I can imagine how she felt, mov-
nection to the barn. Most people, considering
knew the most logical place to build the house
ing from the old, log house into what must have
the condition of the barn, would have let it fall.
would be where the barn was located,” said
seemed like a mansion to her,” said McKinney.
McKinney, you will soon learn, is not like most
McKinney. “She understood the wind direction
Emma’s summer kitchen was L-shaped and
people.
and didn’t want manure scented breezes waft-
had a hand pump that went directly into the
Barn historians say the barn was built in the
ing through her summer kitchen!” The barn
new cistern below. “No more carrying buckets
1860s. Located near New Haven, McKinney’s
was moved 300 feet to the east, it’s current loca-
of water from the well,” said McKinney.
great-grandfather, Charles Dagley bought the
tion, before Emma’s new home could be built.
“The barn was the hub of the farmstead, and far more important than any other structure on
before
the place” said McKinney. “A new home was a luxur y, but a good barn was a necessity for housing animals, storing grain, and sustaining the animals through the winter.” With the barn restoration well underway, in 2008, McKinney rented a lift and began painting the house. “I painted it seven colors,” she said. “That’s what happens when you choose a traditional, Victorian palette!” McKinney added a family room and garage, a bridal suite of f the upstairs deck, and the groom’s quarters beneath the bridal suite. The quar ters are separate from the main house thanks to McKinney’s careful attention to the design. The house has five bedrooms, and there are new bedrooms in Grandma Madeline’s smoke-
(618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE JUNE 2021 7
house and the barn. All of the rooms, featuring private baths, can be rented out.
to Kentucky and Indiana.
Madeline Dagley Mills’ favorite hymn. “She
When McKinney began restoration, “I’m
was the hardest working, most positive, and
“My grandmother’s smokehouse was six
a planner, but I had no plans for this to be a
most overt Christian I have ever known,” said
feet off the back of the house when I was a kid,”
wedding or events venue.” In 2015, the first
McKinney. “She was a Christian every day. She
said McKinney. “I didn’t know we had a view
wedding was held at Higher Ground. McKinney
read the Word ever y night. She lived it and I
until I went to the barn. The panoramic view
hasn’t kept track of how many weddings have
knew it.”
from this hill is breathtaking. There is nothing
been held at the barn, but she’s sure the num-
I could do to make this place more attractive. I
ber has “doubled every year.”
People are drawn to this hillside, with its sweeping views. Restoration of the barn was a
was told by a geologist that during the Ice Age,
McKinney chose to name the venue Higher
labor of love. Once again, the barn stands tall
this is where the glaciers stopped.” From this
Ground not only because of the barn’s eleva-
and ready to welcome new generations. No
hill, you can see more than 40 miles, all the way
tion, Higher Ground was her Grandmother
doubt, Grandma Madeline would be proud.
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‘picture-perfect’
venue
There’s something special about an old barn. If you don’t believe it, ask Pam Mills McKinney. Proprietor of Higher Ground LLC, McKinney restored a barn that has been in her family since 1891. “Only by the grace of God” was the restoration possible, said McKinney. When McKinney began restoration in 2007, the barn was in ruins, toppling over more each year. Today, the barn is one of the most popular wedding and events venues in Southern Illinois. “I’m a planner, but hosting weddings and events here wasn’t in my plan,” said McKinney. Her real reason for restoring the barn was sentimental. “My Grandmother Madeline loved this barn. I wasn’t going to let it fall on my watch.” “Shortly after the barn’s renovation was complete, my daughter took a picture of the east end of the barn. I had placed an electric lantern in the big, arched window. It was Father’s Day and I lit the lantern in honor of my dad, “Dag” Mills who died in 1999,” said McKinney. “The picture was taken at twilight.” The picture was on display locally, and a woman who saw the picture said, “I know where that barn is! I told my husband if I ever
get married again, I want to get married in that barn.” That’s when McKinney said the idea for a wedding and events venue “germinated.” Located near New Haven, the barn is located on what is commonly known as the Herald Blacktop. It’s 16 miles from Carmi and 35 minutes from the west side of Evansville. “People are drawn here by its rural charm,” said McKinney. “It’s peaceful here. Recently, there was a preacher who performed a wedding here. He asked if he could bring his wife here so he could share our farm with her. I told him of course!” McKinney said she talks with three to four people, daily, about using her facilities for a wedding or event. “I have no idea how many wed-
Evergreen Acres
forward to helping more with Higher Ground.” McKinney’s Catering, operated by Pam’s son, Canaan, does most of the cooking now. Pam still makes the rolls and creates the desserts. Canaan offers everything from hors d’oeuvres to full meals. “We’re famous for our chicken and dumplings, beef brisket, and pies. Guests also love our smoked pork loin,” said Pam. “We can do barbeque to prime rib, or people can bring their own caterers.” Outside caterers are welcome to rent McKinney’s chef’s kitchen. Higher Ground welcomes guests to buffets on special occasions such as Easter, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Even with the pandemic, McKinney served more than 200 guests this past Thanksgiving.
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dings we’ve had here, I haven’t kept track.” The first wedding, held at Higher Ground, was in 2015. “The number of weddings has doubled every year. We are attractive to couples from Evansville because we’re not that far and they can hold their wedding here for half the cost of most other venues.” Since opening, McKinney has become known for her crescent rolls. “I offered to make them for Thanksgiving this past year and sold 100 dozen! That turned into something big there!” A lot of Higher Ground’s business is generated from word of mouth. McKinney is easy-going, as is her husband, Doug, who helps when he isn’t farming. “This is Doug’s last year to farm. He’s looking
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Bucket Gardening: Year 2 WRITER: ERIN ZINZILIETA-PENNINGTON Last year about this time, I started a new
We bought the buckets and Andrew made
sweet as sugar! In the early fall, the plants
venture and project: bucket gardening. The
the shelf out of treated wood. Before we set
were covered with straw and heavy clear
idea first came to me on Pinterest. Garden-
ever ything up, he put down gardening paper
plastic. This spring they came up automat-
ing in containers appealed to me for various
to keep the grass from growing underneath
ically. I’m hoping this second generation of
reasons. First of all, I did not want to till up
the buckets. We put the shelves in place and
ber ries will be plentiful. Plants that were
my yard. Secondly, I hate to weed. Having
dropped in the buckets and then he added
grown from seed are on their second year.
the plants about waist high, guaranteed no
mulch over the gardening paper. The mulch
Even after the harsh snow storm, my carrots,
bending over to remove unwanted grass and
had cedar chips in it, which keeps bugs and
lettuce, and strawberries came up on their
dandelions. Lastly, since I do not have an
animals away. We bought high quality Mira-
own this month.
outside water faucet, watering the plants by
cle Grow soil for the plants. Do not put dirt
The plants that did not thrive and sur-
hand would be easy.
from your yard in the buckets or you are add-
vive were eggplant and green beans. I made
ing grass and weeds back into the equation.
an ef for t to check the labels to make sure
I showed my Son-in-Law a picture of the bucket garden. I wanted a shelf made to
I tried several varieties of plants and here
that the plants I purchased were “container
elevate the containers, so that random buck-
is what I learned. I had great success with
friendly”. However, for some reason, these
ets wouldn’t be all over the yard killing the
bell peppers, Roma tomatoes, Husky cherr y
plants did not produce.
grass. Since I am only 5’2”, Andrew made the
tomatoes, lettuce and green onions. The pep-
Ultimately, I enjoy bucket gardening
design to model that of a picnic table with a
pers and tomatoes did require cages to hold
because it is a hassle free way to save money
low-high-low layout. Other wise, if the design
them upright. Next, I planted eight strawber-
on produce. I share my little bounty with
extended like bleacher seats, with a low to
r y plants. The first year, I only had enough
my neighbors and my family. I enjoy living a
high approach, I would not be able to reach.
fruit to put on top of cereal to eat. They were
healthy, active life.
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ERIN ZINZILIETA-PENNINGTON is a 2010 graduate of McKendree University and a 1994 graduate of Eastern Illinois University. She possesses a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education English. She has been an educator since 1994.
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PHOTO BY: TIM MARTIN
12 (618) HOMETOWN MAGAZINE JUNE 2021
Outdoor flavor celebration WRITER: KIM BAYLESS
June has several days of observance one might not think about, other than the always celebrated Father’s Day. June observes ... Hug Your Cat Day, WWII D-Day Anniversary, Daniel Boone Day, National Eat Your Veggies Day, Take Your Dog to Work Day and Great American Backyard Camp-out Day, along with many others. The weather is warm, but not too hot yet. The sun is shining and we are ready to be outside enjoying it! My recipes I’m sharing with you this month consist of Garlic Lime Chicken (and Shrimp) ... Onion Roasted Potatoes ... Summer Squash Salad ... a beautiful veggie tray (constructed by my friend Kim Templeton) and an Orange Chiffon Cake. These will make for a wonderful outdoor meal — a little prep time and you will be sitting at the picnic table with your family and friends enjoying these tasty dishes.
ORANGE CHIFFON CAKE
GARLIC LIME CHICKEN
Makes 16 servings
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp grated orange peel
1 ½ cups sugar
½ tsp cream of tartar
4 tsp baking powder
ORANGE GLAZE:
1 tsp salt
½ cup butter
6 eggs, separated
2 cups powdered sugar
¾ cup fresh orange juice
2 to 4 Tbsp fresh orange juice ½ tsp grated orange peel
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup vegetable oil
½ cup soy sauce
½ tsp. dry mustard
¼ cup lime juice
½ tsp. pepper
In a large mixing bowl, combine the first four ingredients. Add egg yolks, orange juice, oil and peel; beat until smooth. In another mixing bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until stiff but not dry. Fold into orange mixture. Spoon into an ungreased 10 inch tube pan. Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes or until the cake tests done. Immediately invert the pan to cool. When cool, remove cake from the pan. For glaze, melt butter in a small saucepan; add remaining ingredients. Stir until smooth. Pour over top of cake allowing it to drizzle down sides.
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce Place chicken in a bowl. Combine remaining ingredients and pour over the chicken. Cover and marinate 30 minutes. Spray grill with cooking spray and cook over medium heat at least 6 minutes per side or until juices run clear. *I have also made this with shrimp. The cooking time is considerably shorter, but the result is just as yummy.
ONION ROASTED POTATOES 1 envelope onion soup mix
1/3 cup oil
2 lbs potatoes, cut into chunks Preheat the oven to 450. In a large plastic bag, combine all ingredients. Close bag and shake to coat well. Put potatoes on a baking sheet and bake for 40 minutes.
SUMMER SQUASH SALAD
Makes 12-16 servings
4 cups julienned zucchini
2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
4 cups julienned yellow squash
2 Tbsp snipped fresh parsley
2 cups sliced radishes
1 ½ tsp salt
1 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp dill weed
1/3 cup cider vinegar
½ tsp pepper
In a bowl, toss the zucchini, squash and radishes. In a small bowl or jar, combine all remaining ingredients; shake or mix well. Pour over vegetables. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
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