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Christmas brunch buffet in Bev’s Kitchen

Hello from the kitchen! It’s almost Christmas. I love the holidays. Being with family is the best gift ever. And how about all that food? We cook, bake and share it with one another. A tradition I started with my family is an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet. My kids get to special order one thing for the buffet. Eggs to order, scrapple, quiche, bacon, sausages, sweet rolls, fruit, juice and coffee. I’m sharing a few pictures of Christmas at our house. I wish you all a blessed, healthy and laughter-filled Christmas. Eat well…from Bev’s Kitchen! ••• Bev Kauffman, of ...

Christmas in the Cabbage Patch

This is the story of the greatest Christmas present I never got. It begins in 1983, when toy company Coleco released an adorable new doll called the Cabbage Patch Kid. On its oversized head, a winning smile fought its way through pudgy cheeks. Its fabric body, arms open wide awaiting a hug, was covered in dimples. On the butt of each Cabbage Patch doll was printed the signature of originator Xavier Roberts, and included in each box was an adoption certificate with the doll’s birthdate and a name like “Virgil Boris” or “Honora Clytemnestra.” Caleco, though, underestimated ...

1968: Mifflin County’s plan for a new library

In the late 1960s, the Mifflin County Library was located at 35 South Brown Street, which was the corner of Brown and Water Streets. As I’ve mentioned before, the library was stuffed to the gills with books. Books were stacked everywhere, on tables, on the stairs, on the floor as well as on the tops of the shelves. We were once again in need of a new building and the library board, as well as the director, Mrs. Stuckenrath and the commissioners were aware of the fact. I found an article dated June 14, 1968 discussing the problems the commissioners faced; not only with the library ...

At long last … the Cross Street bridge is back open!

Seven years ago the Cross Street bridge was deemed unsafe for vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Located between Cedar Springs Road and Jefferson Street in Mifflintown borough, the bridge served as one of two routes to the library. The other route, by Washington Avenue and Cross Street, is a tight turn for right/left turns. Now that the Cross Street bridge is back open, traffic is freed up to visit the library, go to and from the district schools on either side of Cedar Springs Road and allow for easy access for large vehicles (delivery trucks, emergency services, etc.) I remember when ...

A Christmas to remember

It began in a very unusual way. A class of four-year-olds presented a Christmas pageant that began with the three virgin Marys marching out onto the stage. As they stood there, they, of course, were waving to their parents. It’s not every Christmas pageant that has three virgin Marys, but over the years the school had acquired three Mary costumes, and so, quite naturally the script was revised. This gave a chance for more children to be involved and kept down the squabbling over who got the starring roles. The two Josephs walked up behind the Marys. Then twenty little angels came ...

Hanukkah: Restoration and Rededication

Do not fear the words of sinners, for their splendor will turn into dung and worms. Today they will be exalted, but tomorrow they will not be found, because they will have returned to the dust, and their plans will have perished. My children, be courageous and grow strong in the law, for by it you will gain honor. (1 Maccabees 2.62-64) Now, we who observe the law to the best of our ability recognize the law does not save, however, it indeed does bring honor in the courts of the Most High as Psalm 1 says, blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of the Lord. As we have been ...