EPAC live performance tonight
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Equality & NIxburg News
Jennifer Williamson
I grew up with potlucks, lots of potlucks. Some were with the church, some were with close family friends and their families, too many were at churches that hosted family member’s funerals.
What I liked about potlucks was the fellowship, as well as the variety of food. There was food for everyone, food for those that didn’t like meat, food for those that loved meat, casseroles, salads, side dishes, and way too many desserts. But I don’t remember a lot of bread, maybe some rolls, biscuits, or cornbread at the end of the table. But now it seems that every potluck I go to the focus is bread or bread products, biscuit sandwiches, croissant sandwiches, loaves of bread.
Why, you ask, do I bring this up? Well 18 years ago I was diagnosed with Celiac, which is an autoimmune disease. If I was to consume gluten celiac causes my immune system to attack my body, destroying my gut, causing gastrointestinal distress, abdominal pain, fatigue, anemia, my skin breaks out into blister-like sores, and triggers migraines.
One trace amount of gluten can take more than 30 days for my gut to heal. Thus making potlucks of today a trial rather than the pleasurable experience of past years.
So if you don’t see me at a potluck it is because it is just too difficult to keep asking and see annoying looks from others or hear the jokes like “not sure what gluten is, but it sure tastes good.” And for the jokers it isn’t a taste; it is a texture, what makes bread bready or thickens your gravies and sauces. It is much easier to politely decline and miss out on the fellowship.
Equality Performing Arts once had food, like a finger food potluck, that everyone brought something to share during intermission. During COVID we decided that was a bit of a health risk and stopped the potluck intermissions and offered concessions instead. EPAC is considering going back to the potluck intermission again and may even cater some items if there is enough interest.
Equality Neighborhood Watch meeting was yesterday, and I will have more information on that in next week’s column.
Tonight, Friday, January 27, EPAC hosts a live performance by singer/songwriter Lara Oshon from 7 to 9 p.m.
Since the tornado was appraised and the area considered a disaster area FEMA is now in the area offering help to the storm victims. This week they were at Rehobeth Methodist Church, but will be stationed in Rockford until things are settled and cleaned up. If you are a storm victim needing assistance please meet with them to apply.
Next weekend will be another Fourth Friday and Equality Volunteer Fire Department fundraising event with bake sale, rummage sale, and grilled hot dogs and hamburger lunch plates. Please come downtown and support the community and EVFD Saturday, February 4.
Rodger’s Shrubbery has ordered the material to replace the storm-damaged greenhouse cover. A warm and dry day will be picked, and with the help of any willing volunteers we will pull 80 feet by 36 feet of heavy greenhouse film over the hoop structures and fasten it down.
Scaffolding and one tall ladder is already available, and we may need more. We have never done this before so it might go smoothly and it might not, but I am sure there is probably a YouTube video on how to do it.
I depend on all readers to share with me what is happening within your organizations, churches, neighborhoods, groups, or family to share in next week’s column. Please contact me; call or text 256-531-6460 or email at coosacafe@gmail.com.