The second annual Christmas Expo was held at the YWCA in Bogalusa on December 4, 2008. The event featured economical holiday ideas, food safety and tastings of numerous Christmas treats. The event was sponsored by the LSU AgCenter and was hosted by the YWCA.

The Holiday Treats Dessert Cook-off was a huge success with 59 entries into the contest. The four categories included, cakes, candy, cookies and miscellaneous. In the youth candy category winners are as follows; first place Jazlyn Scott of Pleasant Hill Elementary School, second place Tanner Sandburn of Franklinton Elementary School, third place Trace Ballard of Thomas School. In the cookie category Abby Barber of Franklinton Elementary School won first place, Eric Fornea of Angie Junior High second place and Macy Cobb of Pine Junior High won third. In the cake category Porchia Oxner of Pine Junior High won first place, Justin Bracey of Angie Junior High won second and Trace Ballard of Thomas School won third. In the miscellaneous category Clint Stogner of Pine High School won first place, Lauren Gerald of Thomas School won second and Taylor Williams of Angie Junior High won third. Honorable mention went to Peyton Spears. In the Adult category Darlene Jenkins won first place for her Pineapple Sweet Potato Pie. Participants included, Jamie Magee, Jordan McNeese, Penichon J. Wood, Jossie McNeese, Bobbie Morris, Johnna McNeese , Dalton Castille, Alex Williams, Kenner Spikes , Stephanie Stevens, Cheyenne Fornea, Dameisha Chapman, Dontiaria Allen, McKenna Freeman, Alexia Melton, Derronia Buckley, Jasmine Bria, Jordan Wicker, Ladeja Wilson, Savannah Kennedy, Azende Magee, Corey Welch, Jacob Branch, Kyle Slocum, Mary Murray, Cheyenne Smith, Ryan Ard, Briana Nicholson, Elijah Newman, Dariouna Williams, Savannah Kennedy, Kierra Smoot, Deja Martin, Miranda Kennedy, Timisha Walker, and Madison Busby.

Special thanks to Ms. Lynda Pritchard of the YWCA for her contributions to the event. For more information on the LSU AgCenter programs contact Valerie Vincent or Emily Becnel at the LSU AgCenter 985-839-7855.

Two of our winning Holiday Recipes:

Clint Stogner’s Holiday Mocha Punch

1 quart coffee

1 cup whipping cream

½ teaspoon almond extract

Dash of salt

1 quart of vanilla ice cream

1 quart of chocolate ice cream

Add coffee, cream, extract and salt together. Scoop ice cream into punch bowl or pitcher and pour coffee mixture over it. Stir until somewhat smooth. Garnish with whipped cream and nutmeg

Darlene Jenkins Pineapple Sweet Potato Pie

2 cups of cooked sweet potatoes

2/3 cup of brown sugar

¼ cup half and half

1 egg

2 tablespoons of butter

1 tablespoon of vanilla

½ tablespoon of cinnamon

¼ tablespoon of nutmeg

¼ tablespoon of salt

9” pie shell unbaked

Combine ingredients and pour into pie shell. Bake at 425 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

Topping:

1 can sliced pineapple in juice

1 tablespoon of cornstarch

1 tablespoon of minced ginger