Middle school members of our Fresh Connections Club got an early jump on Thanksgiving last month during their Nov. 21 meeting.
Students came together to create a fully-fledged Thanksgiving feast that included appetizers, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, turkey, and apple pie for dessert.
The students worked in small groups, each responsible for a different dish. They practiced essential cooking skills, such as peeling and mashing potatoes, seasoning and roasting a turkey, and carefully measuring and mixing ingredients for stuffing and sweet potatoes. They also learned how to prepare cranberry sauce from scratch, gaining an understanding of balancing sweet and tart flavors. For dessert, students arranged the dough, sliced apples, and seasoned the filling to create delicious homemade pies.
Club advisors Becky Sphar and Jenelle Bauer discussed the importance of gratitude and being thankful for the blessings in our lives with club members. Each student shared something they were grateful for, whether it was their family, friends, school opportunities, or the chance to be part of this club. This reflection set a positive tone for the evening and reminded everyone of the value of giving thanks and sharing with others.
After preparing the dishes, students sat down together to enjoy their hard work. Each student also packed a container of food to bring home and share with their families, spreading the joy of the feast beyond the club. The celebration continued the next day with apple pies served after lunch, paired perfectly with vanilla ice cream from the Vintage Cow!
We can’t wait to see what the club gets up to at its next meeting - stay tuned for more exciting updates! 
Fresh Connections Club members are pictured above preparing a Thanksgiving feast during their Nov. 21 meeting.