It’s been a little while since we talked about the good news that’s happening in today’s day and age. We’ve kind of got caught back up in political turmoil as the election next year edges closer and closer. There are also a lot of other bad things that have plagued the news, convicts escaping prison (don’t worry he was recaptured and it was in Pennsylvania, climate change and its effects on our world, and many other different pieces of negative gossip. Lucky for you though, and for me, that’s not all the news has to offer. There’s plenty of good news out there, and that’s exactly what we’re going to be looking for today.
In local good news, something that we’ve all heard about, the wonders of the State Fair. If you didn’t get the chance to go, it’s all the more reason to go next year. If not at least for the 4H building. Those kiddos from all over the state have been hard at work making sure their individual projects are incredible for the fair that happened these past couple of weekends. I myself really enjoyed looking into the rocket display. My favorite area to visit, however, is probably the agriculture section. The sheer mass of some of those squash and pumpkins are just incredible. More like pumpKINGS, am I right? It’s either that or the deep-fried Kit Kats for me.
In addition to all these things, a unique quilt was up for display at the State Fair this year in case you didn’t get to see it. The Reno County Community Quilt was created this year and in each part of it, you see a different show of some part of Reno County. Whether that be the Boys and Girls Club logo, Heartland American Girls, or any other part of Reno. It truly is wonderful to see a community working together on the project.
For those of you who are good fans of funny public figures and crowded spaces, you’ll be pleased to hear that Adam Sandler recently announced his plan to stop at Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita for part of his comedy tour. The massive 25-show tour is planned to start in Vancouver and make its way down to Wichita on December 10th. If you have any interest in things that are remotely funny, you should consider going to this event. I’d bet that it’ll be well worth it.
Up north of that in Salina, we have some school spirit good news that comes in the form of 7-foot metal mustangs that were created by the students themselves. The mustangs were a product of welding experience in a project that will be on display for the community to see outside of Salina Central High School. A fellow classmate says that students at this high school can frequently take what they learn in class into the real world. That sounds like a teacher who needs a raise right there.
Overall, there are plenty of good things happening all over the state this week. I didn’t even tell the good news for Kansas Football teams this past couple of weeks. Not to mention the new nickname for the K-State O-line, the “Manhandlers of Manhattan”. Regardless of what the world tells you, there’s plenty of good news all around at every point in time. You just have to know where to look for it. So be happy, and grateful for the good life that we all partake in. It’s worth something, and I know I am especially appreciative of it.
Good News Kansans!
Macaroni Salad
Any time of the year is a good time for a fresh macaroni salad. It was a dish from the depression era, right beside it’s bestie, macaroni & cheese. Several years before the tragedy of this historical time, Velveeta cheese had made its impact on the food styles in America. The product is still a favorite in many homes. Not because it is so economical, like it was during the depression, but because of the way it melts! It’s smooth and makes good dishes to this day. If you think you are hearing any hesitation from me on the subject of Velveeta…..well, you are.
The cost of this cheese product today has soared to 3-4 dollars per pound, and it’s not 100% cheese. There are a great many things in this ‘product’ that are not good for us. However; on the backside of these comments, I remember how soft and creamy it was in macaroni salads during my youth.
During the depression we did consume a great deal of carbohydrates, mostly because they were economical. And…they were satisfying, keeping bellies from rumbling until the next meal. Hot dogs, were a mainstay, as I mentioned last week. They too often found their way into macaroni salads and mac & cheese dishes. Not to mention the poor man’s meal of fried potatoes, onions & hot dogs.
The recipe I’m presenting today is what I call a very basic macaroni salad. But…when you’re in a struggle to feed your family it’s going to take on many different approaches. The dressing I made for this dish is made predominantly with your favorite mayonnaise or salad dressing. I remember when I made this at the culinary school clients spoke about the creamy dressing based upon Eagle Brand Milk. It’s on line in many places, in the event you desire a different dressing.
These days when I make this salad, I’m going to be using 100% real cheese, perhaps a bread & butter pickle, chopped ham and a few other ingredients that will bring additional color: peppers, tomatoes and pimentos are a few examples.
Remember the tip about resistance starches? Well, this is a perfect example of eating pasta without all the carbs. It’s a strong recipe to carry in your lunch, just don’t go overboard on the pasta, or you may nod off at your desk! Ha, that would be a good one. The kids too will enjoy it in their lunch boxes. Add fresh fruit with the entrée and there’s nothing else to pack.
Sometimes when I make cream-based dishes like pasta salads, potato salad, etc., I will make a little extra dressing and add it just before serving time. Even if you rinse your pasta in cold water (good idea) to stop the cooking process, it’s going to absorb your dressing.
One thing I do remember about my childhood is the fact we had very little cheese in our dishes. Why? Well, for starters back then my mother, the cook of our family, wasn’t overly fond of cheese, in general. Secondly and most importantly adding 100% cheese to your grocery list really raised the price of your meals. We didn’t make tacos and homemade pizzas during the depression era in the United States. The only thing I remember my grandma Lucy making with Velveeta was her famous cream salad, which contained small chunks. The very ‘few’, and I mean ‘few’ times I had a grilled cheese sandwich it was made with Velveeta.
The Depression era brought us comfort foods that are still served in our families today. Even the Hawaiian favorite, ‘Spam’, came about during the depression. No joke, I keep one can of it in the pantry at all times. We consider it an emergency food. You can dress it up with sauces and such to glorify it a bit. Oh…I hear the responses now: ‘You can never glorify spam, yuck!’
We mentioned last week how many families got by without meat by eating beans of all sorts. I do appreciate a good Mulligan Stew or a vegetable soup. My depression dish fav is probably creamy potato soup. My mom made the type where it’s just milk, potatoes, onions and perhaps celery. Hers was thin with no thickening. Today mine contains a binding ingredient so the sound of slurping doesn’t get quite so annoying! Talk about comfort foods, this is it!
Other foods that debuted at this time were dishes like hamburger gravy and chipped beef on toast. Oh, I do enjoy the chipped beef. Today when I make ‘SOS’ I might embellish with chopped green onions and a small amount of cream cheese. If your kids have never had it, you really need to make it for them. I still use the Buddig bags at the grocery store. This would also be yummy over a baked potato. Chipped beef over biscuits with an over easy egg on top!
Next week we’re going to talk about the many desserts of the Depression and I’ll share one of my ultimate favorites. Until then, have an outstanding week.
Simply Yours, The Covered Dish.
Macaroni Salad
8 ounces cooked elbow macaroni
1 pound diced/chunked ham
½ pound diced American cheese
7 ounces thawed, drained frozen peas
Chopped green onion to taste
Dressing
1 ¼ cups mayonnaise
½ cup sour cream
3 tablespoons white vinegar
1 tablespoon honey mustard
4 tablespoons half & half
½ teaspoon ground white pepper
½ teaspoon *Black Kettle seasoning
1 tablespoon sugar
Possible Options:
Celery, pimento, sweet peppers, olives, hard boiled eggs, pepperoni, cooked chicken, tomato or pickles.
Prepare macaroni and all salad ingredients and place in a large bowl.
Mix all the dressing ingredients together until smooth and blend into the salad. Refrigerate and serve as a main entrée or side dish.
Serves 6-8 persons
Equestrian Club At Kansas State University Sponsoring Regional Intercollegiate Horse Show
The IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse Show Association) Club at Kansas State University is sponsoring a regional horse show September 16-17 at Vermillion Valley Equestrian Center, Belvue, Kansas.
This will be the first show hosted by the Wildcats since the athletic department dissolved the equestrian team in 2014.
“We are excited to welcome students from 13 universities from the Midwest to this competition,” said Ann White, hunt seat (English) team coach.
“Entries are not yet complete, but we are expecting about 100 participants,” White commented.
Riders will draw a horse provided by the KSU host and enter the arena without any warmup. Classes start with introductory walk trot and go through advanced levels with jumping.
Last year, the KSU English team went undefeated in this region and advanced to zones and nationals.
“I am looking forward to another successful year. We have a lot of promising riders,” Coach White said.
“The mission of IHSA is to provide equestrian competition for all college and university students regardless of riding level, gender, race, sexual orientation, or financial status,” White explained. “The IHSA is dedicated to promoting sportsmanship, horsemanship, and academic excellence.”
With more than 60 members (and growing), the IHSA club at KSU has students who have never been around horses through those who have competed at a national level.
“Our club membership has the option to join the competition teams,” Coach White said. “But a student does not have to compete to be part of the club. Team members have more financial and time commitments.”
The club has educational seminars, clinics, guest speakers, social events, and fund raisers which involve equine as a focus.
“We also have a Western team coached by Sarah Mattocks. That competition offers introductory riding through advanced ranch riding,” White informed. Several students participate on both teams.
White and Mattocks volunteer their time to serve as team coaches and club advisors.
The KSU IHSA team is self-funded, and the students must pay for their ride times, White pointed out. Horses are provided by the Vermillion Valley Equine Center which is located 30 miles from campus.
“The team is lobbying that as Kansas State University expands their equine facilities and equine curriculum, they will provide support and opportunity for this club to exist on campus as the rodeo club does,” White said.
“The IHSA is a huge recruiting tool across the country and the team at KSU is hoping that the administration will take notice, consider them as such,” Coach White commented.
“It is really eye opening to travel all over the country to other schools and see the support of their equine activities and incorporation of their teams,” White observed. “While we are part of a big agricultural university with a well-known animal science department, our riders have to travel off campus and totally fund themselves.”
The IHSA club continues looking for fund raising opportunities and sponsorships.
Additional information about KSU’s IHSA team is available at ihsaatkansasstate.com, with more Intercollegiate Horse Show Association details at ihsainc.com.
Vermillion Valley Equine Center facts are at vermillionvalleyequine.com.
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CUTLINES
Vermillion Valley Equine Center (VVEC) near Belvue will host a regional IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse Show Association) show September 16-17, sponsored by the IHSA Club at KSU.
The Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Hunt Seat Team at KSU has won regional championships the past four years.
Sittin’ Pretty
Jim Kammeyer remembers a dove hunt with his dad years ago when he was about fourteen. A small group of he and some friends on a father and son dove hunt had stopped along a pond to determine how to capture a dove someone had shot and dropped into the pond. A breeze was steadily blowing the downed bird out to sea where it would soon be lost if not retrieved. Jim says his dad Roger strode up to a small willow tree growing near the water’s edge and with a couple shots from his shotgun toppled the tree into the pond near the floating dove. He grasped the tree and raked the dead bird to the bank where it could be added to the harvest. The rest of the group was left thinking “Why didn’t we think of that?” and the other kids turned to Jim and said “Your dad is so cool.”
Roger Kammeyer has always been known as a tinkerer and a problem solver. He grew up near, and never left the small farming community of Concordia, Missouri where he had been a barber, then a sales rep for a food brokerage company and finally a life insurance salesman before retiring in 1999. In his early days as a barber Kammeyer could often be found building fishing rods or designing and building his own fishing lures between haircuts. He is thought to have possibly invented the first “buzz-bait” top water lure used to catch bass, though he never pursued a patent. The spinner blade on that lure was fashioned from an old lunch box Kammeyer had found while scrounging for treasures at the dump. Aptly named the Lunch Box, many feel the lure will still out-fish commercial buzz baits available today.
Years back I penned a column called Man’s Best Friend in which I extolled the virtues of the five-gallon bucket. To this day I’m convinced that no better and adaptable product than the five-gallon bucket has ever been invented. Whether used as a seat for deer hunting, turkey hunting, ice fishing, or picking vegetables from the garden, most garden projects and outdoor adventures somehow make use of man’s best friend, the five-gallon bucket. Sometime after his retirement, a friend gifted Roger Kammeyer with a wooden stool that sat on top of a five-gallon bucket and made it a nice rig to sit on when picking green beans. The seat of the stool was raised just enough higher than the lip of the bucket, leaving a handy opening to toss beans into the bucket below. The problem was it took two hands to carry the thing, one to carry the stool and the other to carry the bucket. Into Kammeyer’s shop it went, emerging later adapted so the stool fit upside down as a lid that snapped into the bucket, and the original Bucket Stool was born. Now made from durable plastic, the bucket stool sits on the bucket in four notches that allow it to spin silently around the bucket. With my 210-pound frame seated on one, it moved effortlessly and quietly around the top of the bucket, allowing me to face any direction I pleased. The Bucket Stool can then be turned upside down and snapped into the bucket to become a lid.
Roger got a patent on this invention, and built them in his garage for over ten years. Today the Kammeyer family’s business, RWK Solutions, LLC is located in Concordia, Missouri where the Kammeyers grew up and where they still live today. The Bucket Stools are manufactured there in Missouri too, in the good ol’ USA. Check out the stools on their website www.bucketstool.com and find them for sale on Amazon and at other retailers. Kammeyer says that thanks to his Bucket Stool, he can still tinker in his shop, work in his garden and shorten the life of many fish…Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors!
Steve can be contacted by email at [email protected].
The Elevator Man
