Volunteers are needed to be bell-ringers! They offer one-hour shifts between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays starting the day after Thanksgiving. The principle location will be Wal-Mart, but other options could be IGA or the post office depending on the amount of volunteers that are interested. Get your friends to stand with you OR split the hour up with 3 friends so each will have 20 minutes! If interested please contact Carol Ryan at 544-2175 or e-mail: caroler@mchsi.com

If you missed last month's Book Fair then you missed getting good reading material for the winter months! We still have lots of books left! If you are interested in getting some books, please stop by the U of I Extension office in the Commercium Building between now and November 12! We have all kinds of books: cookbooks, romance, fiction or non, mystery, self-help, religion, etc. With the price of everything going up – this is a good way to save money! You can take books home with you even if you don't bring in books.

Have you ever wanted to buy something online, but just aren't sure if you should? The U of I Extension office is offering a unique workshop that may help you find the answer. "E-shopping: Tips, Tricks, and Transactions" will make you aware of the advantages and disadvantages of shopping via catalogs and online. You'll learn how to safeguard your personal information when purchasing in a non-traditional way and understand electronic payment options. Pat Hildebrand, U of I Educator, will give you tips and answer questions about purchasing on-line and through catalogs. Register early for this opportunity; space is limited. The workshop will be held on November 11, at 10 a.m. Please call 618/546-1549 to register before November 10. This program is free and open to the public.

Make this a special Veteran's Day for the residents at the Heritage Home. Please donate some items for the special men and women that reside at the home in Hutsonville. We will be delivering the goodies on November 11 around 11:30 a.m. Everyone is encouraged to help with this very worthy cause. They can always use: belts, non-skid slippers, body lotion, shaving cream, denture cream, toothpaste and brushes, umbrellas, rain gear, socks, tissues, wet-ones, phone cards, the VERY cheap washcloths, large print novels, stamps and stationary, word puzzles, magazines and individually wrapped snack cakes & candy! Please no aerosol cans! They love those individual-sized shampoos/ conditioners/soaps, etc. that you get in hotels! Plus, jackets and coats are appreciated. Drop the items off at the Extension office or take them to the Heritage Home in Hutsonville to make their day!!!

Joel Brumley, U of I County Director, will give a presentation on "Disaster Preparedness" on Monday, November 10 at 7 p.m. Location is still to be decided. Please call 546-1549 for more details. Refreshments will be provided by the HEA Board Members. This program is free and open to the public.

Making soft chewy cookies –

• Mix the dough just long enough to combine the dry ingredients because over-mixing will toughen the dough.
• Do not over-bake the cookies because they will continue to set as they cool. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Chill the cookie dough so when the cookies are placed on the cookie sheet they are cold. The cookies will not flatten out as quickly as they bake and therefore will be softer.
• Cookie recipes with a lot of sugar will make a crisp cookie and will not be soft.

If your cookies spread & flatten out –

• Make sure that the butter is not too soft before making the dough. Soften butter slightly for easier mixing by removing from refrigerator and letting stand 30 to 45 minutes at room temperature. To soften butter quickly, cut into chunks and allow to it soften at room temperature about 15 minutes.
• Be sure to cool cookie sheets between batches. A hot cookie sheet can melt the butter before the cookie dough can set.
• There is no need to grease a cookie sheet unless the recipe indicates.
• Try refrigerating dough until well-chilled (1 to 2 hours). If the dough is still too soft, stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of flour.

Best frosting for cut-out cookies –
If you want an almost translucent glaze that firms up well and gives cut-out cookies a smooth surface, try

Powdered Sugar Glaze.

2-1/2 cups powdered sugar

2 tablespoons water

1 tablespoon butter, softened

1 tablespoon light corn syrup

1/2 t. almond or vanilla extract, optional

Food color, if desired

Combine powdered sugar, water, butter, corn syrup and vanilla in small bowl; mix until powdered sugar is moistened. Beat at medium speed until smooth, adding additional water, if necessary, to reach desired spreading consistency. Add food color, if desired. Glaze cooled cookies. Let stand until hardened (6 hours or overnight).

However, if you prefer a creamy and satiny white butter frosting, you will enjoy

Best Buttercream Frosting.

3/4 cup butter, softened

6 cups powdered sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup half & half

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 tablespoons light corn syrup

Beat butter in large bowl at medium speed until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and salt alternately with half & half and vanilla, scraping bowl often, until well mixed. Stir in corn syrup.
Variations:
Chocolate Frosting: Add 2 to 3 squares melted and cooled unsweetened baking chocolate.
Lemon or Orange Frosting: Stir in 1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon or orange peel.
Creamy Coconut Frosting: Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons coconut extract or flavoring.