Macaroni And Cheese

Macaroni and cheese Ask any kid to name three favorite foods, and it's a pretty safe bet that macaroni and cheese will be among them. The warm, creamy, comforting appeal of macaroni and cheese has made it an American classic that families keep coming back to generation after generation. It's a one-dish meal that's so quick and easy to prepare even the kids can get into the act. In fact, this once humble budget-stretcher, most often presented as elbow macaroni baked with creamy Cheddar cheese sauce, is gaining new fame as an oh-so-fashionable addition to trend-setting restaurant menus.

The Greater Campher Temple's Pastor's Aide is sponsoring a chicken dinner Sunday, Jan. 10, starting at 2 p.m. The menu includes fried chicken, green beans, potato salad or macaroni and cheese, dessert and roll. Tickets cost $8. The church is at 125 Bethel St. in Hagerstown.

Nov. 9 - Nov. 15 The Washington County Commission on Aging offers noon lunches to anyone 60 years and older at seven locations - Hancock, Smithsburg, Keedysville, Williamsport and three in Hagerstown. A two-day reservation notice is required and a donation is asked per meal. For information, call 301-790-0275. Weekly menu Wednesday - Hawaiian grilled chicken, peas, scalloped potatoes, whole-grain bread, pears and milk. Thursday - Taco Mac with beans, garden salad, corn muffin, banana and milk.

SMITHSBURG - The Smithsburg Fire Co.'s $2,500 bonanza will be today. Doors will open at 5 p.m., and the meal will be served at 6 p.m. The menu includes pit beef, baked beans, coleslaw, macaroni and cheese, desserts and beverages. Tickets cost $30 per couple for the bonanza, meal and a dance with a DJ until midnight. For information, call 301-824-2889, 301-573-9590, 301-991-3847 or 301-573-5759.

Menus for Monday, Feb. 27, through Friday, March 3: Washington County Monday - Chicken nuggets with biscuit or grilled cheese sandwich, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, applesauce and milk. Secondary also may choose noodle soup. Tuesday - Shrimp or chicken patty poor boy, red beans and rice, pineapple, carnival cookie and milk. Secondary also may choose Creole vegetable soup. Wednesday - Macaroni and cheese or cheeseburger on bun, broccoli, diced pears, sweet trail muffin and milk.

Thunderstorms threatened, but didn't spoil the fun at the first South Prospect Street block party held July 13. The street was closed to traffic from downtown to Baltimore Street, the Scott Hess band played, and scores of residents and their families dined on hot dogs, burgers, beans, coleslaw, macaroni and cheese and sweets. Hagerstown firefighters brought a ladder truck and youngsters were allowed to squirt a fire hose. The Hagers-town Police Department's K-9 dog team also demonstrated its prowess at the event, which was hosted by the Historic Heights Community Action Group.

The Washington County Commission on Aging offers noon lunches to anyone 60 years and older at six locations — Smithsburg, Keedysville, Williamsport and three in Hagerstown. Smithsburg, Keedysville and Williamsport are open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Potomac Towers, Walnut Towers and Francis Murphy are open Monday through Friday. The hours are be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the days they are open. The agency requires that you call by 11:30 a.m. to give them a two-working-days reservation notice.

A youth basketball league is forming for children in Washington County in grades four through six.   Registration will be held at St. James Brethren Church, 17718 Lappans Road, tonight, Monday and Tuesday at the church from 6 to 8 p.m. each night. All games and practices will be held Mondays or Tuesdays at the church. All players will make a team. All registrants must bring a copy of their birth certificate. For more information, call Mike Kelbaugh at 301-223-4556 or Terry Lescalleet at 304-962-0232, or go to www.leaguelineup.com/basketballyouth.

Brittany Olenczak St. James Tennis Senior What's your favorite food? "Macaroni and cheese. " Who is your favorite cartoon character? "Nemo. " What is your biggest ambition? "To work in a women's clinic. " Three people I'd like to have lunch with: "Oprah, Andre Agassi, Barack Obama. " Who's your favorite musical group or artist? "Journey. " The best thing about my school is: "How close I am to my friends and teachers. " The worst thing about my school is: "Not enough time to relax.

1. Stroke by stroke A show of about 35 representational and abstract paintings by local artist Denny Clarke, including the one pictured. Opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4. Show continues through November. Washington County Arts Council, 14 W. Washington St., downtown Hagerstown. Free. Call 301-791-3132 or go to www.washingtoncountyarts.com . 2. Saturday with a Master Shepherd University's Masterworks Chorale will present Ludwig van Beethoven's Mass in C Major with full orchestra and soloists.

A youth basketball league is forming for children in Washington County in grades four through six.   Registration will be held at St. James Brethren Church, 17718 Lappans Road, tonight, Monday and Tuesday at the church from 6 to 8 p.m. each night. All games and practices will be held Mondays or Tuesdays at the church. All players will make a team. All registrants must bring a copy of their birth certificate. For more information, call Mike Kelbaugh at 301-223-4556 or Terry Lescalleet at 304-962-0232, or go to www.leaguelineup.com/basketballyouth.

1. Stroke by stroke A show of about 35 representational and abstract paintings by local artist Denny Clarke, including the one pictured. Opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4. Show continues through November. Washington County Arts Council, 14 W. Washington St., downtown Hagerstown. Free. Call 301-791-3132 or go to www.washingtoncountyarts.com . 2. Saturday with a Master Shepherd University's Masterworks Chorale will present Ludwig van Beethoven's Mass in C Major with full orchestra and soloists.

The Washington County Commission on Aging offers noon lunches to anyone 60 years and older at six locations — Smithsburg, Keedysville, Williamsport and three in Hagerstown. Smithsburg, Keedysville and Williamsport are open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Potomac Towers, Walnut Towers and Francis Murphy are open Monday through Friday. The hours are be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the days they are open. The agency requires that you call by 11:30 a.m. to give them a two-working-days reservation notice.

The Greater Campher Temple's Pastor's Aide is sponsoring a chicken dinner Sunday, Jan. 10, starting at 2 p.m. The menu includes fried chicken, green beans, potato salad or macaroni and cheese, dessert and roll. Tickets cost $8. The church is at 125 Bethel St. in Hagerstown.

WHO: Ebonie Aice, 33, a stylist at Simply Raw salon on Busch Boulevard, Tampa. WHAT: Macaroni and cheese. ABOUT THE RECIPE: "It's very rich," Aice says. "I only make it on special occasions," along with other favorites like oxtails and candied yams. "It's for those occasions when you're not watching your weight or your figure. But it's good! I want you to eat it!" Family members suffer from high blood pressure, so she avoids cooking with a lot of salt. "I'm conscious of that part, but calories?

The Velvet Cafe, "your neighborhood cafe" in downtown Waynesboro, Pa., caters to family groups, older couples, teens, working men and lunching women. When we arrived. the parking lot was full --a good sign. We passed a tripod sign that read "oyster stew and dumplins. " There was a happy buzz when we entered accompained by a very pleasant aroma. In front of us was a Hershey's Ice Cream counter. To the right was a blue room, and to the left was a cheerful pink room. We chose pink.

SMITHSBURG - "Business" was rather brisk at the Community Food Bank on a recent Tuesday morning. Perhaps it is a sign of the troubled economic times. But whatever the reason, those taking advantage of the food bank said they were very thankful it is available. "I've been using the food bank here when I need it for many years," said one client who asked not to be identified. "They are always friendly here. " The food bank in Smithsburg is centrally located at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 51 S. Main St., and has been for at least 30 years.

SMITHSBURG - The Smithsburg Fire Co.'s $2,500 bonanza will be today. Doors will open at 5 p.m., and the meal will be served at 6 p.m. The menu includes pit beef, baked beans, coleslaw, macaroni and cheese, desserts and beverages. Tickets cost $30 per couple for the bonanza, meal and a dance with a DJ until midnight. For information, call 301-824-2889, 301-573-9590, 301-991-3847 or 301-573-5759.

Brittany Olenczak St. James Tennis Senior What's your favorite food? "Macaroni and cheese. " Who is your favorite cartoon character? "Nemo. " What is your biggest ambition? "To work in a women's clinic. " Three people I'd like to have lunch with: "Oprah, Andre Agassi, Barack Obama. " Who's your favorite musical group or artist? "Journey. " The best thing about my school is: "How close I am to my friends and teachers. " The worst thing about my school is: "Not enough time to relax.

Thunderstorms threatened, but didn't spoil the fun at the first South Prospect Street block party held July 13. The street was closed to traffic from downtown to Baltimore Street, the Scott Hess band played, and scores of residents and their families dined on hot dogs, burgers, beans, coleslaw, macaroni and cheese and sweets. Hagerstown firefighters brought a ladder truck and youngsters were allowed to squirt a fire hose. The Hagers-town Police Department's K-9 dog team also demonstrated its prowess at the event, which was hosted by the Historic Heights Community Action Group.