Missing Sodus
By Melissa White
mgoodcooke@yahoo.com  

It looks like the warm, balmy weather January brought may have left with January. This weekend is a big football weekend and from what someone on the radio said, the food is a main ingredient for having a successful Super Bowl. I did see a cute Super Bowl party tablecloth that looked like Astro Turf. I was temped, but how long can you really use something like that? Maybe just get it out for the big game every year or maybe for a cute summer or spring party put flowers in it or little picnic tables.

A note to all who have safety protection systems installed in your homes, the battery does die and when it does, you will hear a beeping. I, of course, was watching a movie and thought a blip (most things I don't understand are a blip or a glitch), so I shut it off and then, about an hour later, the alarm, that had not received the attention it felt it needed, started screaming at us. I called our carrier, Guardian, and after 20 minutes of constant deafening noise, fighting with the box to open it (always have a Phillips head and small regular screw driver at your fingertips), we were able to jerk the connector from the battery and stop the horrible and upsetting wailing. In alarm systems, there are no blips or glitches. It means, 'pay attention.' Obviously, I never did get to see the end of the Princess Diaries part 2.

Some football food:

Spicy BBQ meatballs

1 1/2 pound lean ground turkey
1 cup uncooked quick oats
2 medium egg white(s)
1 large onion(s), finely chopped
1 medium garlic clove(s), chopped
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
1 tsp dried oregano
1 1/2 tsp beef bouillon granules
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 1/4 cup barbecue sauce

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Combine all ingredients, except barbecue sauce, in a medium-size bowl; mix well.
2. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Shape meatball mixture into sixty 1-inch balls; place on baking sheet.
3. Bake at 350F until cooked through, about 25 minutes. Transfer meatballs to a chafing dish or crockpot to keep warm.
4. Meanwhile, heat barbecue sauce over medium-high heat until hot. Pour sauce over cooked meatballs, toss gently and serve. Yields 2 meatballs per serving.

Layered Mexican Bean Dip

16 oz fat-free canned refried beans
3 medium avocado, Haas, finely mashed
1/4 tsp table salt
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
1 cup fat-free sour cream
2 Tbsp Old El Paso Fajita Seasoning Mix, or other brand
1/2 cup Kraft Free Shredded Cheddar Cheese, or other brand
1 small tomato(es), chopped
2 medium scallion(s), sliced
10 medium olive(s), black, sliced or chopped
2 Tbsp cilantro, fresh, chopped

1. Spread beans evenly over bottom of a 9 X 13-inch glass baking dish or a medium-size glass bowl.
2. Combine avocado, salt and lemon juice together in a small bowl. Spread avocado mixture over beans; top with sour cream.
3. Sprinkle fajita seasoning over sour cream layer. Next, layer remaining ingredients on top in order listed.
4. Serve immediately with jicama slices and other fresh vegetables for dipping, or chill until ready to use. Yields about 1/4 cup per serving.

February is here, don't forget:

February 4: Cappuccino Coffee House at 7:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, 56 W. Main Street, Sodus There will be entertainment, capuccino, cocoa, coffee, tea and desserts. This event is a fund raiser for a mission trip to Vancleave, Mississippi to help rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. Call 315.483.9718 for more information.

February 9 - Febuary 10: Third Annual Valentine Chocolate Sale at Sodus Free Library. Offerings will include homemade pies, candies, cakes, cookies, brownies, etc. - everything and anything, as long as it's chocolate. The sale will be held in the Library's meeting room, 17 Maple Avenue, on Thursday, February 9, from noon until 8 p.m., and on Friday, February 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contributions of chocolate products will be gratefully accepted between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Thursday. See you there! Call Carol Garland at 315.483.9292 for more information.

February 11- The Gala Snowflake Ball to benefit the animals of Cracker Box Palace Farm Animal Haven will be held at Cutter's Restaurant, 6592 Lake Bluff Road. Black tie optional, formal dinner. Pre-reservation only. Call 315.483.2493.

Sodus Library News:

The annual Sodus Free Library Association meeting and election of Trustees was held on February 2, at 7 p.m. The Library's 2006 financial budget was also submitted for approval at this meeting. Three candidates (Robert Bayless, Jr., Carol Sergeant, and John Cook) are running for two Board openings; each position is for a five-year term. To vote in this election, you must be 16 years of age, a resident within the Sodus Central School District, and an OWWL card holder.

At the Kraft Shack:

HOLE CHAIR CANING: Three nights: Wed., Feb. 8, Feb. 15 and Feb. 22, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Your chair must have holes around the seat, not a groove. You will have homework that needs to be done before the next class. $40 includes all.

Diane and Tom Phillips are happy in their new home. They are now in the getting-everything-unpacked stages. With the help of many family members and friends, the load is lighter. If I'm not mistaken, Diane's son Michael will be a skater on the February 7 ER show.

A few cute books to read with your kids:

Will you Be my Valentine? by Steven Kroll
I Love You Too! by Eve Bunting
The Ballad of Valentine by Alison Jackson

Have a great weekend. Make the Super Bowl fun. Get some extra snacks or maybe chips and dip. Wegmans has really cute football cakes. I, myself, have an unconventional way of chosing my team. Since I don't watch it every week during the season, I find out if the Quarterback on the team is good looking. I know sounds funny, but Tom Brady was the cute quarterback last year and, if I remember correctly, his team, the Patriots, won. Maybe not so silly after all....

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