Lifestyle

A new theater and an old catfish

From The Examiner during the week of June 19-25, 1972: “CITY SEMINAR MAY LEAD TO C O M M U N I T Y THEATER” – What is hoped to be the first step toward creating a community theater in Independence is now being taken. Members of a drama seminar – the possible nucleus for such a theater – this Friday and Saturday evenings will present the first of three summer shows here.

Read MoreA new theater and an old catfish

Mushroom Bolognese features rich flavors

Here’s a light version of the Italian classic Bolognese sauce that’s quick, easy and won’t break the calorie bank. A mixture of different sliced mushrooms creates the base for this vegetarian dinner. I use portobello and shitake mushrooms. If your market sells other wild mushrooms such as oyster, morels or chanterelle, you can use them to add other texture and flavor. One secret to the rich flavor is to thinly slice the onions and cook them until they are sweet. Another hint is to add orange zest to the sauce. This adds a little sweetness and an intriguing flavor.

Read MoreMushroom Bolognese features rich flavors

Shared tears amid another tragedy

Here the birds are singing. I wonder if they too are glad for a break from the muggy, hot climate on this early morning? I know I am. Without the heat, though, there would not be those bumper crops from the garden or even swimming days in the pond. Yeah, we’ll take it all as it comes, and when autumn rolls around we’ll heave a little sigh of relief.

Read MoreShared tears amid another tragedy

The Chicks don’t know it, but they’re helping me raise my children.

It’s fair to say The Chicks have helped me raise my children. On cross-country road trips, during latenight brownie baking, when I was newly divorced and terrified I broke my kids’ spirits and determined to start each morning with joy and hoping that a Dixie Chicks dance party would do the trick (they were the Dixie Chicks back then) — there they were.

Read MoreThe Chicks don’t know it, but they’re helping me raise my children.