(Kiki's Corner by Kiki Angelos - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

Last Saturday we had one of the most exciting and well done Fashion Show fundraisers for our West Virginia Symphony League-Parkersburg!

Everyone came to support our mission and to support us and our community children. I cannot thank my wonderful committee enough that worked tirelessly for several months with their energy, ideas and commitment to accomplish what we did last Saturday night at the Parkersburg Art Center.

Betty Rector, Becky McGinnis, Becky Waldron, Carla Johns, Carol Seely, Debbie Amigo, Shelene Shrewsbury, Mary Ellen Dearth, Resa Varva, Sally Beckwith, Mary Maskell, Sharon Albert, Sydney Weber, Terry Hardman, Peggy Ols, Dr. Bairava Kuppuswamy, Rita Fish. Our wonderful MC Mike Seely and Dr. Isidro Amigo with his amazing voice along with Matt James, Michael Tobar and Scott Kitchen, and Margaret Hoschar for her amazing entertainment.

The wonderful helpers that helped us the night of the event: Gregory Cigal, Alex Johns, Seth Barbarow, Amy Hupp, Rachel Poling, Jim McGinnis and Mary Ellen Manzo. Special thanks to the Parkersburg Art Center Director Jessie Siefert and all her helpers. A couple of donors not previously mentioned include Sir Speedy and Sean Andrews/PRC Appraisers. I hope I’m not missing anyone, if I did my apologies.

I especially want to thank Charla Hall Farley from Baker & Baker for donating the beautiful bracelet, which was won by Doris Twyman! It was gorgeous and it was greatly appreciated. Once I take a deep breath from this event, I have so much coming up getting ready to start my ideas which I already have for my annual Christmas trees at the Blennerhassett Hotel, decorating four trees. I know it’s October, but we have to start early. A big event on Oct. 25 at our Saint James Orthodox Greek Church will be our bishop visiting us so I’m a chairman for this big event as well.

Baking and cooking and baking and cooking are my specialty. Join us at the Wood County Resiliency Center for a not so scary Halloween celebration that the whole family can enjoy. Presented by West Virginia Symphony Parkersburg “Symphony of Screams.” More information will follow soon!

Very excited to be part of the heart ball committee again for WVU Medicine Camden Clark. We already had our first meeting and are moving along fast! What a great group of ladies!

Enjoy the beautiful weather. I hope it lasts for the whole month of October, November and December, lol, wistful thinking!

Heading to see my granddaughter Ahna Colombo playing volleyball first year at Hamilton Middle school. So proud of her, she made the team for cheerleaders and also the volleyball team! Gooooo Ahna!

Till next week!

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HOT APRICOT NECTAR

1 cup of water

2 tablespoons sugar

4 whole cloves

1 (3-inch length) cinnamon sticks

1 (12 lounge) can apricot nectar

2 tablespoons of lemon juice

Cinnamon sticks (optional)

Lemon slices (Optional)

Combine the first 4 ingredients in the saucepan. Bring to a boil. Simmer, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Strain mixture, discarding cloves and cinnamon sticks. Gradually add apricot nectar and lemon juice to hot mixture. Heat thoroughly. This recipe may be doubled or tripled. Lemon slices and cinnamon sticks may be added to each serving.

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HOT APPLE CIDER PUNCH

2 quarts of apple cider or juice

1 cup apricot nectar

1 cup of orange juice

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Lemons slices

Orange slices

Combine all ingredients except fruit slices. Heat slowly stirring occasionally. Garnish with lemon and orange slices, serves 10 to 12.

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PARSNIPS

2 pounds parsnips

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons margarine

Peel and cut parsnips into quarters. Cook in a small amount of water until barely tender, place in a small greased casserole. Sprinkle with salt and brown sugar. Dot with margarine. Bake at 400 degrees F for 15 to 20 minutes. Serves 4.