The Prairie Press

Thanksgiving customs and spreads can vary wildly from region to region, but celebrants are always guaranteed a feast for the eyes, mouth and spirit.

Thursday is Thanksgiving. It never ceases to amaze me of the traditions associated with the holiday — and how different they are in other areas of our country. I think it must be a Midwestern … more

By NANCY ZEMAN | 11/20/18

Tanner Laughlin, playing Hollywood Hal, was one of the featured characters in the “Murder at the Juice Joint” dinner theater production Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Tingley Reception Center in Paris. The evening raised nearly $2,000 for the Paul Warner Animal Rescue and was presented by Paris Charity Events.

(Fun)draising entertainment

“Murder at the Juice Joint,” to benefit the Paul Warner Animal Rescue, was a resounding success, according to Bobby Sinclair and Zack Janis, who are the founders of Paris Charity Events. Paul … more

Special to The Prairie Press | 10/29/18

Rolling in dough

It is time to turn on your oven. That is what my son Matt said when he called from Denver. He said he turned on his oven and made chocolate chip cookies. Cooler weather puts everyone in a baking … more

Ruth Patchett rpweib1@gmail.com | 10/15/18

Honey can be used in a variety of ways from easing coughs to shower gel and — of course — for cooking. Whether it’s baking, marinating or making a salad dressing, honey is a natural source of sweetness manufactured in a natural way — by bees. (Special to The Prairie Press)

Using your honeybee haul

It’s Honeybee Festival weekend and why wouldn’t we be talking about cooking with honey? According to the National Honey Board, the story of honey is older than history itself. An … more

BY Nancy Zeman | 10/3/18

Portland offers respite

My Portland vacation really starts with the people I meet, then the places I go and then, of course, the food. I sat next to a lady on the plane named Sherry Boram, a fabric artist. Delightful, … more

Kristin Chittick, kristinchittick@gmail.com | 8/15/18

Salads spice up summer

I don’t know about you, but is there anything better than strolling the Downtown Paris Farmers Market on a Saturday morning?This time of year those of us who don’t have a garden find our … more

Nancy Zeman, nzeman@prairiepress.net | 8/1/18

Touring in our hot rod

A year ago Tom and I went on our first Hot Rod Power Tour and loved it despite the very hot temperatures. When we returned Tom said, “Next year we are going to have a car with more room, it … more

Ruth Patchett, pweib1@gmail.com | 7/2/18

Churches ready for VBS

Area churches are busy planning Vacation Bible School for the youth of Paris and youngsters of the surrounding communities.Lake Ridge Christian church hosts VBS this week. The program begins Sunday, … more

Suzanne Williams, swilliamsprairiepress@gmail.com | 6/5/18

They’re more than weeds

Let’s get a disclaimer out of the way. I’m not a cook. The height of my culinary skill is pretty much a peanut butter and honey sandwich. Readers must keep that caveat in mind as … more

Gary Henry, ghenry@prairiepress.net | 6/5/18

A river cruise to remember

Someone once said vacations should be looked at as hills and canyons. Expect and accept there will be highs and lows, no matter where you travel. I must say the recent vacation Tom and I took … more

Ruth Patchett, rpweib1@gmail.com | 5/30/18

Students learn by doing

Paris High School has course opportunities for more progressive and adventurous students to take closer control of their educational possibilities.While the school was under construction, local … more

Roger Stanley, rstanley1937@hotmail.com | 5/7/18

It’s spring-cleaning time

As the temperatures (finally) begin to feel like spring, I’ve been thinking about spring-cleaning. Does anybody do that anymore?In the Roberts household, I don’t recall Mom announcing, … more

Nancy Zeman, nzeman@prairiepress.net | 5/1/18

A healthy fuel up for kids

I can’t imagine how you mothers do it.Pick the kids up after school, get them to the ball game or track meet or practice and then home again for a late dinner — unless there’s … more

Nancy Zeman, nzeman@prairiepress.net | 4/23/18

Easter leftover ham goodies

I was able to spend Easter dinner on Saturday with most of my family, hosted by my sister and brother-in-law Cheryl and Dale Curl.Cheryl is a wonderful cook and baker and probably should be writing a … more

Nancy Zeman, nzeman@prairiepress.net | 4/10/18

EGGS-zactly right anytime

Eggs — the wonderful protein — are cheap, easy to prepare and versatile. They can be poached, boiled, coddled, baked or fried. Fold them into an omelet or bake them in a casserole. … more

Mary Liz Wright, maryliz@illinois.edu | 4/2/18

Season for ham

Next weekend is Easter — April 1 — and I’m confident most of the home cooks are already planning their Easter meal for family.I’ve never really understood why ham is served at … more

Nancy Zeman, nzeman@prairiepress.net | 3/27/18

Lead to Feed shares health

HUME – It is never too early to start learning about the benefits of healthy food and three members of the Shiloh High School Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) … more

Gary Henry, ghenry@prairiepress.net | 3/19/18

It's time for the tourney

For the past several years I have been privileged to exercise with a great group of women mostly from Indiana. We love to work out together and we especially love to talk. We have shared many joys … more

Ruth Patchett, rpweib1@gmail.com | 3/12/18

Hughes 90th birthday

The family of Beulah Hughes is celebrating her 90th birthday with a surprise party 3 p.m. Feb. 10 at the Knights of Columbus Hall.Born Feb. 9, 1928, Hughes was employed by several Paris businesses … more

2/12/18

Kansas has a restaurant again

KANSAS - The new owners and operators of the small diner in Kansas are forming relationships one fresh-cooked meal at a time.Mark and Sarah Beals of Paris opened the restaurant called Grandma’s … more

Suzanne Williams, swilliamsprairiepress@gmail.com | 2/5/18