Kiki’s Corner: Two fun-filled community events coming up
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We are so thankful that our town, even if it is small, offers so many events that we can attend all year round.
I have two events coming up that I encourage you to mark on your calendar. First, the Symphony of Screams returns to the Center on Market at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23.
Families across the Mid-Ohio Valley are invited to enjoy a festive celebration of music and Halloween fun. General admission is free for children and $10 for adults. Guests may also purchase a VIG ("Very Important Ghost") ticket for premier seating. Tickets can be purchased at WVSOP.org/Tickets or at the door.
Costumes are encouraged, and everyone who attends in costume will be entered into a drawing.
The time is right for all you music lovers and Halloween lovers to bring your family and friends to support a fun and educational evening for all ages. We are very excited to have the Ohio University Symphony in costumes again this year, and many, many other surprises.
As president of the West Virginia Symphony League Parkersburg, I personally would love to have you there for an unforgettable night. I'm sure no one will be disappointed.
Just a reminder, don't forget to purchase the five season tickets to enjoy wonderful classical music. The first concert is on Sunday, Nov. 8, at Blennerhassett Middle school at 2:30 p.m. Doors open at 2. And again, all the students enter free.
The season tickets will make a perfect Christmas gift for anyone!
Another great event: Consumer Credit Counseling Service invited the community to its annual mystery dinner fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 7. This year's theme is "Game of Loans," featuring mystery, laughter and a little medieval mischief at the Grand Pointe Conference Center. Doors open at 5 p.m.
Guests will step into a world of kings, queens, castles and intrigue as they enjoy an interactive mystery dinner experience. Along with the evening’s entertainment, attendees can look forward to a variety of fundraising activities, including medieval games, raffles and other fun opportunities to win prizes, including a $250 gift card to the person who solves the mystery and a $75 gift card for best costume.
What a great way that all of us can support the CCCS that helps so many families and individuals in our community.
Since 1971, Consumer Credit Counseling Service has been a trusted community resource, offering financial counseling, debt management programs, housing counseling, financial education and representative payee services. Whether helping someone navigate overwhelming debt, prepare to purchase their first home, avoid foreclosure, learn to manage a household budget or build healthy financial habits, CCCS works to empower people with the knowledge and tools needed to create a stronger financial future.
In 2025 alone, the nonprofit served more than 2,300 individuals and families through its various programs, including financial education for children and adults, housing counseling, financial counseling and advocacy for some of the community’s most vulnerable residents.
As CCCS continues expanding its reach throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley and into additional communities across West Virginia and Ohio, fundraising events like the Mystery Dinner are especially important. Proceeds help support the agency’s mission, dedicated to instilling financial wellness throughout the communities they serve
Tickets are $75 per person, and reserved tables of 10 are available for $800. Community members, businesses, couples and groups of friends are encouraged to gather their royal court and make plans to attend.
Tickets, sponsorship opportunities or additional information are available by contacting Consumer Credit Counseling Service at 304-485-3141 or visiting www.wvcccs.org
I think it's very important that we all support these events and thank all those volunteers that they give their time and effort to be part of something for all of us to enjoy.
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Almost Heaven biscuits
3 cups flour
1 tbsp sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
4 tbsp shortening
1 cup warm milk
1 pkg yeast (dry)
1/3 cup warm water
Sift dry ingredients. Dissolve yeast in water, melt shortening and add to warm milk and yeast.
Add dry ingredients. Roll or pat out dough 1/2 inch thick. Cut with biscuit cutter. Let rise for about 30 to 40 minutes. Bake at 4:50 for 15 to 20 minutes.
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Mexican cornbread
1 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 small onion, finely chopped
Dash of garlic powder
1 tbsp pimento, chopped
1 cup cream style corn
1/3 cup salad oil
3/4 cup grated cheese
2 eggs
Jalapeño peppers to taste (2 or 3), finely chopped
Mix all ingredients together. Put in 11-by-17-inch baking pan. Bake at 400 for 30 to 40 minutes .
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Cinnamon-apple-raisin muffins
1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup of sugar
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1 beaten egg
3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup cooking oil or melted shortening
1 cup chopped, peeled apple
1/3 cup raisins
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Make a well in the center.
Combine egg, milk and oil. Add all at once to dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened. Carefully fold 1 cup chopped peeled apple and 1/3 cup raisins into batter. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes at 375, while warm dip tops in melted butter or margarine and then on sugar. Makes 12 muffins.
P.S. - As you can see I try to write easy recipes for all of you readers, so you don't have to be all day in the kitchen for one recipe like I do many times. I do enjoy when I see many of you and you tell me that you made one of my recipes .
Till next week.