Pineapple

March 19 - March 24 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 - Crunchy fish, butter beans, cooked spinach, mandarin oranges, whole-grain bread and milk. Thursday - Creamed chipped beef and biscuit, Harvard beets, pepper slaw, Dolly Madison pudding and milk.

Dec. 29 - Jan. 4 The Washington County Commission on Aging offers noon lunches to anyone over 60 years old at seven locations in Hagerstown, Hancock, Smithsburg, Keedysville and Williamsport. A two-day reservation notice is required and a donation is asked per meal. For information, call 301-790-0275. Weekly menu Wednesday - Creamed chipped beef, carrot and raisin salad, biscuit, tropical fruit and milk. Thursday - Baked ham, sweet potatoes, green beans, whole wheat dinner roll, pineapple and milk.

katec@herald-mail.com Hilda Hollenbaugh doesn't like frozen whipped topping. Years ago, when a co-worker brought Pig-Pickin' Cake to work, Hollenbaugh refused even to taste it because the icing was made with the cold fluffy stuff. After a while she gave in and tried a little bit. Despite the name - and she has no idea of its source - Hollenbaugh liked the cake and asked for the recipe. Fruity, moist Pig-Pickin' Cake has become one of her specialties. "Every time I take this cake somewhere, people want the recipe," Hollenbaugh says.

For the crust: 2 cups flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 2/3 cup shortening 7 tablespoons ice-cold water For the filling: 1 1/3 cup sugar 1 tablespoon cornstarch 9-ounce can of crushed pineapple Two 8-ounce packages of cream cheese 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 eggs 1 cup milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 cups coarsely chopped pecans Preheat oven to 400 degrees. To make the crust: In a large bowl, use a pastry blender to mix 1/3 cup shortening with flour and salt until mixture becomes coarse.

8 ounces of Cool Whip 20-ounce can of crushed pineapple, drained 14 ounces of sweetened condensed milk 21-ounce can cherry or blueberry pie filling In a large bowl, mix the ingredients. Pour batter into a 9-inch-by-13-inch pan. Freeze overnight and take to picnic in a cooler with ice. This can be eaten frozen or chilled. Courtesy of Pat Pile, who lives north of Hagerstown. She got the recipe from her sister-in-law, Pat Gebhart, who lives north of Hagerstown

D.J. and Dance Instructors Chip and Sharon Moats of Waynesboro, Pa. recently provided the music and taught a dance at the Hagerstown Country Western Dance Club's annual special summer dance Aug. 22 at the Maugansville Ruritan Building. This year's theme was Hawaiian Night. Club members and guests wore colorful outfits topped with floral leis. Pineapple sundaes and theme cakes were served. Dancers from Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia participated. The club meets at the Maugansville Ruritan the second and fourth Saturdays of the month at 8 p.m. The public is invited.

OK, so you are probably wondering why I'm so crabby. Well, it's a delicious protein that is so easy to us. in a variety of ways. I love the flavor, texture, and the way it takes to just about every dish I create. You will have to forgive my lack of style, however, in that I am simply adding ingredients to this dish based upon what I use on the mainland.  I've never been to Hawaii, but if one of my loyal readers ever heads that way and needs a personal chef, give me a call, I'd be glad to taste my way across the Hawaiian Islands with you. - Scott C. Anderson is associate food service director and chef with Shepherd University dining services in Shepherdstown, W.Va., and Chef Ambassador to the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board.

Two lamp posts are complaining about their placement on a city street: “Other lamp posts overlook parks and flower gardens; so why do we have to be bolted down in the middle of the slums?” one says. “Yeah,” agrees the other. “And all we get to see all day is litter and dirt.” About that time, a dog walks by and says:” I understand your complaint, but instead of worrying about how you see the world, you should think of others. Ask yourself what you can do for them.

By SHEILA HOTCHKIN / Staff Writer photo: KEVIN G. GILBERT / staff photographer [ enlarge ] Fred Maxey of Keedysville tried to round up his four children, ranging in age from 4 to 12, before the results of the Ag Expo's ice-cream churning contest were announced. "They've already wandered off," he said wryly. "They got bored of waiting. " While the family has been churning ice cream for four years, they have rarely ventured beyond plain vanilla.

"Are you in danger from a terrorist attack? Yes, but if you read the local paper and think about it, I believe you will conclude that you are more likely to encounter a local mugging, robbery or shooting. Our concerns should be about what is being done locally to stop the violence. Terrorism is getting the press coverage, but I think it is more likely we will be harmed by local thugs. " - Waynesboro, Pa. "I think this is a perfect example of the government/big business connection.