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Membership has its privileges.
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Volunteer Openings |
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lReporter for sale information
from any of the local health food stores for our weekly
Grocery Specials
lResearcher to explore other group ordering
possibilities
lNewsletter contributors for Tip of the
Month and Recipe of the Month
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Tip of the Month |
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What do I do with my "petrified"
honey?
Honey
hardens naturally over time, but it is still as good as
ever. You can restore it to its fluid form by
gently melting it. Place the hardened
honey in a double boiler at medium low
temperatures, or in a jar warmed in a saucepan full of
simmering water. Honey can also be warmed in the
microwave in a microwave safe dish on high at 30 second
intervals. Stir at the end of each interval
and repeat until the honey is very fluid.
If you don't like dealing with the honey you
can substitute molasses for honey in most baking
recipes.
How often do I need to change
my stored water?
Stored
water lasts for about 6 months if it is chemically
purified with chlorine or similar purification
methods. If you have stored your water for longer,
now is a good time to dump it onto your lawn, rinse the
containers with clean water, fill them with fresh water,
and add sufficient purifying agents to keep the
water clean for the next 6 months.
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Expanded Fall Order
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 Its time to order your
nuts, candies and supplies for holiday
celebrations. Our ordering window is pretty
narrow, so we need your orders by October 5th.
Please order quickly. We have expanded our fall
order to include two new vendors. First, we
are offering a selection of Bob's Red Mill
Products for those of you who have requested
smaller packages of flours and grains and
gluten free products. Second, we are offering a
selection of candy making supplies, flavorings
and a few spices from Glory Bee
Foods. Last month's articles regarding
agave nectar didn't generate a very strong response from
you. We still believe in this product and will
offer samples during the fall order pickup so you can
better decide whether or not you want to try this
product.
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Sauerkraut
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Several
very large cabbages were converted into delicious
sauerkraut at the Wallin residence in early
September. Dawn Shelstad taught a class and
demonstrated the sauerkraut making process, which
turns out to be relatively easy. The kraut
is still fermenting and will probably be finished
in another few weeks. For those of you
who were wondering, it DOESN'T stink.
Thanks to Dawn for the lesson. We hope that
all of you take advantage of educational
opportunities with PPN as they arise. If you
have recommendations for classes, let us
know.
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Planning
Ahead for Walton Feed
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Hurray! The
Walton Feed delivery will move indoors next spring.
We've reserved the Latigo
Trails Equestrian Center for a May 5th delivery. This
change will allow us to take orders for two trucks,
that's 84,000 pounds! Orders received for the first
truck will be guaranteed. We will be able to add the
second truck if there are enough orders to cover costs.
Tell your friends and neighbors about this great annual
ordering opportunity.
Due to the delivery
changes, I have made a few adjustments to volunteer
crews. Basically, we will ask everyone who orders to
help in some way. There will be two Saturday five-hour
shifts. Others may help in advance with paperwork, or
help on Saturday to direct traffic, prepare food or
double check orders.
Please set aside Saturday,
May 5, 2007 and support PPN. Your help makes a
difference as the all-volunteer board strives to meet
the needs of our ever growing group. Information will
come out in February, 2007. Until then, please take
advantage of the great fall ordering opportunities which
run through October 6.
Rosalia McKean
Walton Feed Shipment
Supervisor
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Recipe of the Month
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Pumpkin
Butter
This recipe makes a preserve similar to apple
butter, but with a pleasant lemony tang.
3 1/2 cups fresh ground
pumpkin or 1 30 oz can pumpkin puree
2 1/2 cups light brown
sugar
1 lemon, juice and
grated rind
1 tablespoon ground
ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons
cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground
allspice
If using fresh pumpkin,
mix with sugar, lemon, ginger, cinnamon and allspice in
a large bowl. Let stand at room temperature 8 to
10 hours.
Transfer to a heavy
saucepan, add 1/2 cup water and bring to a boil. Simmer
on low heat, stirring often, for 40 to 60 minutes, to
desired consistency.
With canned pumpkin, mix
ingredients in heavy saucepan; bring to a boil and
simmer on low about 20 minutes to thicken.
Pour mixture into hot,
sterile, 6-ounce canning jars, leaving 1/2-inch
headspace. Seal with sterile, 2-part lids and
rings, as manufacturer directs, processing 10 minutes in
boiling water bath. Cool; adjust seals
Makes five 6-ounce
jars.
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Financial
Corner
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How do I qualify for an
IRA?
An IRA is a vehicle for accumulating money
for retirement.
If you are not covered by an
employer-sponsored pension plan at work, the amount of
your IRA contribution can be deducted from your taxable
income. The IRA contribution limit is $4,000 for 2005
and 2006. A special catch-up contribution is available
if you will be age 50 or greater during 2005 tax year.
The catch-up contribution is $500 for the 2005 tax year,
increasing to $1,000 for the 2006 tax
year.
If you are a nonworking spouse, you may be
eligible to contribute to an IRA and deduct the
contribution from your taxable income. The spousal
contribution limit is $4,000 for 2005 and 2006. A
catch-up contribution is available if you will be age 50
or greater during 2005 tax year. A catch-up contribution
is $500 for the 2005 tax year, increasing to $1,000 for
the 2006 tax year.
Even if you participate in an
employer-sponsored pension plan, you may still make
contributions to an IRA. The amount you can deduct from
your taxable income depends on your adjusted gross
income.
The IRA deduction phaseout for married
couples filing a joint return ranges from $65,000 to
$75,000 AGI for the 2004 tax year. For the 2005 tax
year, the AGI ranges from $70,000 to
$80,000.
For singles the IRA phaseout ranges from
$45,000 to $55,000 AGI for the 2004 tax year and from
$50,000 to $60,000 for the 2005 tax
year.
Remember, the interest earned on money
placed in an IRA grows tax-deferred under current tax
laws. You do not pay taxes on the funds until you
withdraw them, usually at retirement when you are in a
lower tax bracket. However, because an IRA is intended
for retirement, you may incur tax penalties if you
withdraw the money before age 59 ½, except in special
circumstances.
You can withdraw funds from your IRA and
not incur a federal penalty if you are a first-time home
buyer ($10,000 limit) or you are using the money to pay
for a college education. Any withdrawals will be subject
to income taxes. It’s important to check with your tax
adviser first before withdrawing funds from your
IRA.
Kristine V. Barager,
FIC
District Representative
Modern Woodmen of
America
kristine.v.barager@mwarep.org
(719)
532-0570
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A registered representative.
Securities offered through MWA Financial Services
Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Modern Woodmen
of America, 1701 1st Avenue, Rock Island, IL
61201, 309-558-3100. Member: NASD,
SIPC. |
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