Allison's Corner

A Piece Of Cornbread With My Week, Please

By Allison W. Hartley

I LOVE this time of year - not hot and not chilly (yet). A variety of family things to do including fall festivals, holiday events, homecomings, soon-to-be shopping and eating. I'm already looking forward to Thanksgiving and sharing dinner with my Mama this year.

Speaking of eating ... I made a pot of lima beans and sausage the other night to eat over rice. I am a simple cook and an even simpler eater. This was the way I was raised, and the way I raised my girls. In my world, this dish may even be considered a delicacy.

Steve strolls through the kitchen just as 'the dish' started to simmer and asked, "Hmm, what's that?" "Beans, sausage and rice, it's your dinner," I told him. He made a weird face as he walked away, but it didn't matter, I didn't hear him offering to cook.

Steve's under the impression that you have to have a 4 course meal to call it a meal, but deep down, after almost 10 years of marriage, I know that he secretly likes this dish. And even if he didn't, so what, I do. "It's cereal or beans and rice, you decide," I told him.

He left the office before I did that night and I asked him if he could stop by the grocery store and pick up some corn muffin mix. I gave him simple instructions, on down to the color of the box, how much it would cost and round about what aisle it was in.

By the time he got home, he had a huge story to tell. You'd have thought that he took part in the Lewis and Clark expedition. Bottom line, he harassed three poor women that were trying to grocery shop and ended up at the customer service booth. I could tell, this was obviously a major event in his week. I had been cooking 'my dish' for 4 hours and you'd have thought that he went out and not only hunted, but killed, skinned, and cleaned a moose for dinner. Total of his purchase was a $1.06. He had two bowls of beans, sausage and rice and three pieces of cornbread later that night. I haven't sent him to the grocery store since.

The Pooler Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the Casablanca Gala and Auction this Saturday night at 7 PM at JCB's Headquarters in Pooler. I'm looking forward to it - it's not often that Steve and I take the time to 'go out' for an evening. Red carpet and all. If you'd like more information on the Gala, give the chamber a call at 748-9121. Ya gotta love Humphrey Bogart!

I had the pleasure of attending the 'unveiling', so to speak, of the premier issue of the new Effingham Magazine last Thursday evening. This was especially enjoyable because it was somewhat of a reunion of friends, as well.

The slick, full color magazine is being published quarterly by Independence Day Publishing. Chairman and CEO Peter Jackson, Publisher Julie Hales, Advertising Manager Terri Schado, Customer Service Manager Tina Lamson and Steve and I all used to work for the same media corporation. We've known each other and worked with each other at some level for a number of years. There is an enormous amount of respect between us.

I have to say that they have launched a very impressive publication! It truly captures the spirit of Effingham. If you get an opportunity, pick one up and let them know if you enjoyed it as much as I did! Best wishes to the entire Effingham Magazine team - Great job!

Don't forget to VOTE on TUESDAY, November 7th. I know that it's tough, a lot of the campaigning that we've seen has been focused on negativity instead of informing us of the candidate's experience, promise and intent. However, please take the time to educate yourself as much as possible about the candidates that are running in next Tuesday's election. It is so very important for us to exercise our right, as Americans, in each and every election.