Missing Sodus
By Melissa White
mgoodcooke@yahoo.com  

We had a nice week of cooler weather with a few nice warm days added in. Everyone has re-adjusted to school and, in some cases, have not only gotten back into the swing of things in academics but with the colds and viruses as well.

The pumpkins seem to have gotten ripe early this year. As usual, the Halloween candy has gotten into the stores already and have been there for much of the month. Children are pressuring their parents into getting the Halloween costumes already and it's still September. It always seems as if we are being rushed into holidays way ahead of time.

Football season is here once again and, though I'm not really familiar with tailgate parties, they go with football. Here's a really good recipe for your tailgate party:

Layered Bean Dip
from Better Homes and Gardens

1 15-ounce can pinto or red kidney beans, drained
1/4 cup salsa
1 4-ounce can chopped green chilies, drained
1/2 of a 7-ounce jar roasted red pepper, drained and chopped (about 1/2 cup), or one 4-ounce jar pimiento, drained and chopped
1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
1 cup chopped tomato
1/4 cup shredded low-fat cheddar cheese
Tortilla Crisps (recipe follows) or assorted sliced raw vegetables

Directions

1. In a blender container or food processor bowl place beans and salsa. Cover and blend or process until smooth. Spread mixture evenly in a 9-inch pie plate. Sprinkle with green chilies and roasted red pepper or pimiento.

2. Wash blender container or food processor bowl. Place cottage cheese in the blender container or food processor bowl. Cover and blend or process until smooth. Then, carefully spread cottage cheese on top of bean mixture in pie plate. Cover and chill for at least 4 hours up to 24 hours before serving.

3. Before serving, sprinkle tomato and cheddar cheese on top of cottage cheese layer. Serve with Tortilla Crisps or sliced vegetables. Makes 18 (1/2 cup) servings.

Tortilla Crisps: Cut twelve 6-inch flour or corn tortillas each into 6 wedges. Place wedges in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in a 350 degree F. oven for 5 to 10 minutes or until crisp. Serve 4 crisps per serving.

You of course can enjoy this recipe at anytime. This would be really good from the living room watching the game on tv.

The Sodus Library has some new books in. Stop by and ask for a list. Several of the titles already have OWWL Holds on them, so if you'd like to read them while they're still 'hot off the presses,' call 483.9292 or stop by the Library to add your name to the list. Next time you visit, ask a staff member to show you how to place your own 'Holds' online. It's easy, painless, and really quite exciting to see how efficiently the system works.

At Books-Sandwiched-In, Joann Toner explained how CHEESE can help us keep our brains alive no matter what our age: Challenging leisure activities, Humor, Exercising physically, Exercising mentally, Strong social networks, and Eating healthy. Thanks, Joann, for a fun and very informative talk.

Mark your calendars:

October 8: Sodus Point Apple Feast A Family Fun, Fall Harvest Celebration right on scenic Sodus Bay. Features the best Apple Cook-off Contest with prizes, as well as the Apple Pie Eating Contest ($2 entry fee; winner takes all). Taste and purchase fresh Apples, Apple Cider, Cheese, Produce, Apple Wine and Wines from local growers and vineyards. Visit local restaurants and shops, take a walk along the most scenic bay on Lake Ontario, or let the kids play at one of the area's nicest playgrounds. Noon to 5 in downtown Sodus Point

Sept 30-31: Alasa Academy Camping Weekend - Rustic campsites, Horse Trails, Walking Trails, Farm Tours, Gift Shop, U-Pick Apples, Hay Rides, Saturday night Chuck Wagon Dinner, campfire, Singing, Stories and the Haunted Woods Walk. Call for info or reservations 315.483.1470.

Friday, September 29 & Saturday September 30: The Haunted Hayrides of Greater Rochester - This annual event takes you down a desolate road, winding through eerie acres of apple orchards into the deep, dark woods. Attracting over 20,000 people each year, this frightful adventure will keep you on the edge of your seat...and screaming! Purchase your tickets in advance from Wegmans. Location: 3329 Eddy Road, Williamson, NY

There are a lot of fun fall things to do this weekend and in the weekends to come. Lots of new books and dvds at the library for those quiet stay-at-home kind of weekends. Now that summer is pretty much over it'll be nice to take it easy for a while. There are still lots of fun things to do but we won't feel so rushed to do everything all at once. Get out the sweaters and sweatshirts and just enjoy the fall season.

Have a great week and enjoy each other's company. Also stock up on the cough and cold medications.

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