Gift of Giving at OCMS

Growing up, Oldham County Middle School math teacher Daniel Schulz didn’t have the money to participate in the Angel Tree program, so when the opportunity presented itself, he developed a toy drive program at OCMS in Buckner, KY.

The program allows students to purchase a $5-$10 gift for a child age infant to 12. When the program started over 10 years ago, 86 gifts were donated. This year, under the direction of teachers Erin Sanford, Katie Stephens and the OCMS Student Council, 350 toys were collected and donated to the Oldham County Red Cross Service Center.

The Red Cross will distribute the gifts to qualifying families starting December 15. Dan said that in order to keep the gifts as anonymous as possible, students and school staff do not participate in the distribution phase.

“Every kid has their own imagination of how their present helps somebody,” he said. “They want to help out; it’s just showing them how they can help as kids that’s the big thing.”

OCMS students sort toys donated by their peers.

Students at OCMS also get a chance to work with the Oldham County Red Cross during their holiday food drive. In its 22nd year, the food drive has collected over 450,000 cans for the Red Cross food pantry, and Dan hopes to hit the half million mark this year!

You can support the OCMS food drive by taking part in “Oldham County Community Collection Day” Saturday, Dec. 11. Students will be colleting canned goods for six hours at Wal-Mart and Save-A-Lot in La Grange, KY. Last year the event brought in 3,000 cans. You can also make donations at various OCMS sporting events and student concerts.

Chef Challenge Menu Revealed

Without further ado, I present to you Chef Railey's final menu for "An Oldham County Dining Adventure." I probably should have posted this after lunch; now my stomach won't stop growling.

Appetizers:
Grilled Vienna & Spam Skewers with Hosin Sauce
Potted Black Bean Patty with Pico de Gallo
Ham Spread Canape with Pineapple Salsa

Soup:
Vichyssoise (Cold Potato Soup)

Salad:
Crunchy Ramen noodle

Entrées:
Salmon & Spinach Souffle with Red Pepper Sauce
Roast Beef wrapped Asparagus with Horseradish Spread & Demi Glace reduction

Served with Duchess Potatoes & Veggies

Dessert:
Krispy Kreme & Devil Food Pudding with Cranberry Sauce

If you haven't made your reservation yet, call the Oldham County Red Cross at 502-222-0308.

Dessert anyone?

Thanksgiving is coming early, and it's even better. For dessert you'll get a helping of cranberry sauce on top of a well known morning treat. DOH! I may have given away too much!

Things are getting fishy.

Who wouldn't be a fan of mermaid endorsed fish? But just in case your tastes stray away from sea creatures, there will be not one, but two main entree choices at this year's Chef Challenge. Last hint posts tomorrow, and we've saved the best for last.

. . . or Salad?

How about both! Sure, Ramen in a soup would make more sense, but how much fun would that be? Up next, the main dish. Don't miss it!

Soup . . .

In my house potatoes offer endless possibilities. I bake them, boil them, mash them and yes, I am guilty of frying them, too. Chef Railey will concoct a delicious soup with potatoes and ... well, you'll just have to wait to find out the rest.

Introducing Chef Railey

Chef John Railey

Executive Chef at Glen Oaks Country Club
Sullivan University alumni

Railey began his career in cooking 16 years ago in the military, but he also has experience in canned goods, Ramen noodles and other common pantry items having experimented with them as a kid.

Chef Railey on creating the menu for "An Oldham County Dining Adventure":

I’m definitely not afraid to get into the canned goods and potted meats. My dad was a military man as well for 36, 37 years. When I was a kid, he would come home from summer camp with the canned meats, so it was always fun to come home and get rewarded with the leftovers he brought back. We always played with the things that he had. With the military it was always mystery meat, so you sit there and play with whatever was in the package. It may say SPAM, but when you opened it up, it was something green. You don’t know if it had sat there or if it was a vegetable, but you would always make the most of it, and you made a meal out of it.

Even when I was on my own and trying to make ends meet, I can remember one of my first meals of Ramen noodles I thought was so awesome—I melted cheese in it. And I thought I was really cooking then, with Ramen noodles and melted cheese, but I really kicked that up a notch.

I want the challenge to show people that what they have in their pantries they can make a meal out of, and be just as tasteful as going out and spending 30, 40 dollars for a family or for other groceries to bring into the house. I look at this to be fun as well as an educational experience for the individuals that are going to attend the fundraiser.

Be on the lookout for menu hints as we get closer to the event date.

Man Vs. Food

Ok all you Food Network junkies. Here is your chance to witness a food challenge first hand. Join the Oldham County Red Cross and Glen Oaks Country Club executive Chef John Railey for “An Oldham County Dining Adventure.” There Chef Railey will present a 5-course meal consisting of food items that can be found in the OCRC food pantry.

Don’t worry; you won’t end up with canned corn and baked beans. I promise. If you are interested, call the OCRC at 502-222-0308 to make reservations. Dinners are $75 per person, $600 per table of eight. Sponsorship packages are also available for $500.