Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 24, 1993 TAG: 9311250345
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Almena Hughes
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
A grocery bill from 1899 that I recently had a chance to see really drove that point home. Back then, a staple like a loaf of bread cost 5 cents. You could whip up a holiday pound cake for a pittance, with a dozen eggs costing 15 cents, 10 pounds of sugar for 10 cents and a barrel of flour at $4.40. You might even have made it a citrus pound with lemons at six for 10 cents. Yams? Go ahead and candy them. One-half peck cost 20 cents, and 1 1/2 pounds of ham cost 23 cents.
The nearly 100-year-old invoice belongs to Lester V. Wimmer of Roanoke and his wife, Nancy, who inherited it from her late mom, Nanny Lybrook.
"Everything used to cost a lot less," Wimmer said wistfully. Guess that's why they're called the good old days.
In reality, these 1990s are good old days for many of us. During the holiday season we're often called upon to share our bounty with others who are less fortunate. If asked to donate to a canned-food drive, most of us willingly dig into our larders.
But Share Our Strength, an organization founded in 1984 to mobilize the food industry on behalf of hunger-relief groups, says that because of nutritional value and product longevity, certain foods make better contributions than others. SOS's suggested foods for donation, in order of preference, are: instant breakfast mix; crackers and graham crackers; rice; tuna fish; thick canned stews; canned ravioli and spaghetti; canned corn; vegetable oil; canned meats; boxed macaroni and cheese; dried fruits; mayonnaise and salad dressing; canned fruits in heavy syrup; wheat, corn or rice cereals; canned chili; chocolate syrup; canned vegetables; peanut butter; canned gravy; instant mashed potatoes; evaporated milk; spaghetti sauce; pastas and canned or instant pudding.
Between now and Dec. 31, in its "Charge Against Hunger" campaign, American Express will contribute 2 cents to SOS for each American Express charge-card purchase made. SOS also is offering an array of unique note cards, T-shirts, jewelry, calendars, cookbooks and books, proceeds from which will go toward hunger-relief programs. For details and a free catalog, call (800) 969-4767.
In a similar vein, sales of the newly released "Open House" cookbook (Tradery House) will benefit the National Alliance to End Homelessness. The 256-page book contains 200 recipes, including some from 50 of the country's leading chefs, life experiences from well-known food personalities, poignant award-winning photographs, poetry and volunteers' stories of how they became involved in this cause. It may be ordered by calling (800) 362-6325.
In its "Ham for the Holidays" anti-hunger program, Hormel Foods will donate Cure 81 Hams to local food banks. All Hormel meats products rate in the company's purchases-based point system. But it boils down to about one ham donated for every 50 that consumers buy. Last year, the company donated 40,000 hams nationwide or enough to feed more than 500,000 people.
So indeed, bounty can be beautiful. But not when it comes to boozing. To discourage people from making a hazardous mixture of driving, drinking and drugs, a consortium of agencies kicks off a month-long effort on Dec. 1. The agencies are inviting everyone to come out on that date to Crossroads Mall in front of the Department of Motor Vehicles Office from 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. for recipes and samples of delicious alcohol-alternative beverages, as well as safe party tips and other information. If you miss the samplings, check at your local supermarket or contact the Department of Motor Vehicles, 561-7426, or AAA, 344-0943, for recipes.
If you need another reason to watch your alcohol intake during the holidays, consider the "holiday heart" syndrome. The condition, associated with periodic use of alcohol, tends to be more prevalent around holidays, say associate professors of cardiology Thomas Heywood of Loma Linda, Calif., and Kenneth Ellenbogen of the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond. It can trigger an atrial fibrillation attack - a rapid contraction of the upper heart chamber that forces the heart to beat up to 300 times per minute, compared to a normal 60-100 beats per minute. Attacks usually aren't life-threatening, but their symptoms, including shortness of breath, chest discomfort and lack of energy, are enough to scare you to death.
\ Speaking of spirits, reader JoAnne Williams of Rocky Mount would like to have on hand some homemade liqueurs for the holidays. If you've got a good recipe to share, send it in care of this column. Be sure to include a daytime phone number in case we have any questions.
Liqueurs do make lovely holiday gifts - something that's on many of our minds these days. You'll find other great ideas for everything from hams, apples and peanuts to gouda cheese, garlic mint jelly and all-natural chocolate-dipped macaroons - all from within our state - in the "Virginia Specialties by Mail Catalog." For your complimentary copy, write to The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, Va. 23209, or call (804) 786-5867.
Here's hoping that this Thanksgiving ranks among your good old days.
by CNB