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

How many of you watch the Winter Olympics? We are so proud of the American hockey men’s team that received the gold medal!

What an honor after all these years since 1980. Those young men, I know how hard they work, and they deserve it. So happy they got all the recognition … I think all of us with one voice should shout and say, “Proud to be an American and live in this amazing country!” One thing for sure — no one can change my mind, and I’m sure you feel the same.

I love our country, I love our state, I love our community, and I love all of you! I think we need to support each other and support our country.

Unity is so important, in families, in friendship, in business, etc. Let’s praise people instead of being negative. Say kind words, such as:

1. When I think of friendship, I think of your peaceful spirit.

2. You’re such a blessing in my life!

3. Or you can say, I am grateful for the wisdom that you share, gentle words of encouragement, your positive outlook on life. Thank you for being such a good friend!

4. A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same.

5. Thank you for your wisdom. You always know just what to say during those trying moments when everything seems to go wrong.

If you want to make it simple, you can say:

6. Thank you for your unconditional friendship.

And a nice one that I like is:

7. True friendship is seen through the heart, not through the eyes.

***

The Lenten season is here. What should we give up during lent ?

Anger?

Gossip?

Pride?

Judging others?

Negativity?

Lent is not just about what leaves our plate, but what leaves our heart .

In the Greek Orthodox Church, Lent is more than fasting. We don’t eat meat, dairy from our daily intake, but we also emphasize and try to remove what burdens our hearts.

Our parents told us true fasting is spiritual. It is choosing kindness instead of criticism. It is choosing patience instead of reacting. And always to forgive and forget.

Forty days of fasting – it prepares us to be better Christians!

***

Upcoming dates to keep in mind:

* Judging for the annual Easter bonnet and hat contest takes place on March 14. All ages – children and adults, men and women – can decorate your favorite hat and bring it to the Grand Central Mall food court in front of Auntie Anne’s between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. March 13. Prizes will be given to the best hats, along with a chance to participate in the Easter parade.

* Doors open at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 15, for the 2:30 West Virginia Symphony concert at Blennerhassett Middle School, featuring music from the big screen. Children enter free with a parent.

* The 16th annual Easter Parade starts at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 21, in downtown Parkersburg. Find all the information by going to our Facebook page, 2026MOV Easter Parade, or call me at 304-615-5454.

* That night, at 6 p.m., I will again be a judge for the annual Lip Sync Battle at the Parkersburg Actors Guild.

* Sunday, March 22, is the annual Wood County Society Telethon. I will be live on TV from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

* Two spring Easter celebrations are happening on Tuesday, March 31. The one at Parkersburg South High School starts at 5 p.m. and the other at Parkersburg High School at 6 p.m.

***

Tomato Basil Soup

3 tablespoons margarine

1/4 cup onions, diced

`/4 cup celery, diced

1/3 cup flour

1 1/2 cups chicken breast, homemade or canned

2 1/2 cups beef broth, homemade or canned

15 oz tomato puree

1 tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped

1/2 cup carrots, shredded

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

2 tablespoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup rice, cooked

Saute the onion and celery in the margarine until tender. Add the flour and cook for 10 minutes. Add chicken and beef broth. Simmer 10-15 minutes. Add tomato puree, fresh basil, shredded carrots, garlic powder, black pepper, sugar and salt. Simmer 10 minutes. Add the cooked rice , heat and serve .

Yield :1 1/2 quarts, serving 4-6

***

White Bean Chili

2 tablespoons margarine

1 cup onion, diced

2 4 1/2 oz cans green chilies, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

48 oz canned great northern beans

1 1/2 quarts chicken broth, homemade or canned

2 teaspoons cumin

1 1/2 teaspoon oregano

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

3-4 cups cooked chicken, diced

3 cups grated Monterey jack

Picante sauce

Melt margarine in a large soup pot. Saute onions, chilies and garlic. Add beans and chicken broth. Add seasonings and chicken meat . Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour .

To serve, top each bowl of chili with grated Monterey jack cheese and picante sauce. Makes: 3 quarts.

***

Cream of Spinach Soup

1 pound spinach, fresh or frozen

1 cup butter or margarine

1 cup flour, sifted

1 quart chicken stock, homemade or canned

1 quart half and half

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon white pepper

Clean spinach, remove stems, cut into half-inch pieces, steam in 1/2 cup of water until tender or follow microwave directions for frozen spinach. Do not drain; set aside.

Melt butter in sauce pan over medium heat. Add flour to make a roux. Cook for 2-4 minutes. Add chicken stock, stirring with wire whisk, and bring to boil. Turn heat to low. Add spinach, half and half, salt and pepper. Heat, but do not boil. Yield: 6-8 servings