Anita Hinkeldey McVey is a Midwest farmer’s daughter who grew up in NW Iowa on a steady diet of faith, family, and food. Her passion for cooking and gardening inspired her to create a blog, Picnic Life Foodie, where she shares her favorite recipes and the fond memories they bring to mind. With their two sons now “out of the nest”, Anita and her husband, Marty, live on an acreage in central Iowa with a large garden, a fishing pond, and an energetic hunting dog named Stark. Her first book, “Because He First Fed Us: Ordinary Meals – Extraordinary Messages” is available for pre-order now at www.picniclifefoodie.com/shop.

Anita’s presentation will include an explanation of why, at any stage of life, we need to place a higher priority on eating at a table. Whether that is a dining table, a picnic table, a holiday table, or even a poker table, the comfort we get and give and the connections we make are priceless. I would talk about ways to accomplish this as a young family, empty-nesters or someone “flying solo”. Each participant would receive a set of simple recipes for entertaining, and we are planning to do a door prize giveaway that includes Anita’s book, maybe a gift card or two from restaurants or other stores in the area, a small bouquet, etc.

This event will take place at Crossroads Pavilion in Sheldon. Register on NCC’s Website here by January 20. $40 pre-registration fee includes a 90-minute presentation, hands-on learning, a set of simple recipes for entertaining, entry into our door prize drawing, a complimentary beverage (for those over the age of 21), and of course fellowship. Attendees that wish to take advantage of their complimentary drink ticket must be age 21+ and be prepared to present ID.