Pickles pair well with back-to-school lesson

• By Zirconia Alleyne, New Era Features Editor

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, and Mrs. Pickle picked some of her favorite pickle recipes to share with students before they head back to school.

Carolyn Haddock, known tenderly as Mrs. Pickle to youngsters, will host Off to School with Mrs. Pickle at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Christian County Literacy Council office.

The program, organized yearly by the Literacy Council, is for students entering kindergarten through third grade. Older or younger siblings are welcome to attend as well.

Haddock and literacy council members not only whip up creative pickle dishes, but Haddock will show her plethora of pickle memorabilia and share stories that encourage students to have a “sweet not sour” school year.

Haddock, a retired teacher and guidance counselor, said this year she especially wants to emphasize sweet pickles and what it means to be sweet to others.

“My focus this year is ‘kindness counts,’” she said. “Considering the world we live in, we could all use a little more kindness, and I want them to have a sweet pickle year.”

Literacy Council Director Beverly Whitfield has been busy editing the council’s “Literally Delicious” cookbook, which features recipes submitted by Community Reader Day volunteers.

Whitfield said a section in the book is called “Mrs. Pickle Prefers Potpourri.” There are several pickle recipes submitted by other pickle-lovers, including the PB&P — peanut butter and pickles sandwich.

“Believe me, youngsters do love pickles and very little is left on the picnic table,” Whitfield exclaimed.

Reach Zirconia Alleyne at 270-887-3243 or zalleyne@kentuckynwera.com.