A Taste of Haldimand – July 18, 2024

By Marie Fagan Peart  | marie@haldimandpress.com

In May, my friend Jean and I attended a performance of the Haldimand Norfolk Concert Band at Grace United Church in Caledonia. We thoroughly enjoyed the performance. I was surprised at the variety of musical instruments that were included in this concert band. They played a wide range of music genres, so there was something for every taste.

Afterward, refreshments were served in the church hall. Jean commented as we looked at the sweets laid out on the table that her friend Janice had made the pumpkin loaf. I didn’t know Janice, but I immediately tried a piece. It was delicious, so I asked Jean if she thought Janice might like to share her recipe for this column.

Jean gave me an odd, quizzical look, smiled and said, “Oh come with me.”

I followed her into the kitchen as she called out “Janice, Marie wants to know if you would share ‘your’ pumpkin loaf recipe?” At that moment the two of them burst into rounds of hysterical laughter!

It turns out that the pumpkin loaf recipe Janice had used was Jean’s, which was a bit embarrassing for me since I had enjoyed this loaf many times before when Jean had made it. It never occurred to me this was Jean’s recipe. It was a funny moment.

Just a bit about Janice. Janice and her husband Wayne Lanigan live in Caledonia, having moved from Hamilton Mountain in 1993. They raised two children and now have five grandchildren. Janice told me that she has lots of fun working with Jean in the kitchen at the church. These ladies are long-standing members of Grace United and part of a group of dedicated volunteers that often prepare meals and refreshments for events held at the church.

Janice enjoys cooking and baking. “Nothing fancy,” she said, “just everyday food.” The second recipe she shared is a family favourite called “Rhubarb Crisp to Die For.” Enjoy!