HI, SOCIETY

CORKS FOR CANCER

Lakeridge Winery

and Vineyards in Clermont will feature its popular wine and variety of foods 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 10, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 11 for its Corks for Cancer fundraiser. A $2 donation will benefi t Leesburg Regional Hospital’s cancer program.

Old Friends in a New Place!

For those who miss the popular Greek restaurant Athens NY, they’re ba-a-ack! In addition to their new location, they’ve got a new name— Athena NY Diner. It was formerly Texas Stockyards on U.S. Highway 27/441 in Lady Lake. They’re serving their beloved dishes that include American, Greek, and BBQ specials.

CALLING GREEN TOMATO LOVERS

Miz Kathi’s Cotillion Southern Café in Wildwood is offering a Friday appetizer special of fried green tomatoes for half price, according to manager Brittany Vincent, daughter-in-law of Kathi Vincent, the restaurant’s namesake.

“It’s the newest thing we are offering right now, and it will become permanent,” Brittany says, noting hand-cut, breaded, and deep-fried green tomatoes are the restaurant’s most popular appetizer.

Recipes used at Miz Kathi’s Cotillion have been handed down through generations of her family, and Kathi’s favorite meal is the Train Wreck, which features homemade cheese grits covered with homemade baked beans and pulled pork, topped with cheese and baked until bubbly.

The southern-style meatloaf served at supper is Brittany’s favorite dish, and she notes lunchtime diners often crave the Cotillion Chicken Salad that is made with craisins, scallions, celery, toasted pecans and Miz Kathi’s seasonings.

The café is located 101 N. Main St., Wildwood.

HOT DOGS AND CREAM-FILLED DOUGHNUTS HAVE THEIR DAY

National Hot Dog Day is Sept. 10, so it’s a good excuse as any to eat this American favorite. Those craving doughnuts also are in luck because National Cream-Filled Doughnut Day is Sept. 14, while Sept. 21 is National Pecan Cookie Day, and Sept. 22 marks National Ice Cream Day, according to Foodimentary.com.

When You Were Hungry

Members and volunteers recently gathered at New Life Christian Church (NLCC) to put together meals for SoZo Kids, an organization that helps disadvantaged children who live in the Ocala National Forest. The meals consisted of rice, soy protein, dehydrated vegetables, and vitamin powder. Each meal costs approximately 25 cents and can feed a family of six. “It was so amazing to see 300+ people working together,” says Fred Clinard, a church member who helped. “I couldn’t believe how organized it was and how quickly the time went by.” The group had an assembly line approach, with each person wearing a hairnet and gloves. “In 70 minutes, we made 30,000 meals,” adds his wife Connie. “It was a good experience.” The food was supplied and coordinated by Barry Bressler of Kids Against Hunger—their mission is to reduce the numbers of hungry children in America, but they also ship meals around the world. The goal of NLCC was to pack at least 60,000 meals, and the total for the two days ended up being 64,000.