Cooking as art practiced at senior center

In “Today’s Special” from Me Talk Pretty One Day, David Sedaris describes his dismay at celebrating his partner’s birthday by eating in a restaurant with 15-word entrees, noting, “Part of the problem is that we live in the wrong part of town. SoHo is not a macaroni salad kind of place. This is where the world’s brightest young talents come to braise caramelized racks of corn-fed songbirds. … If cooking is an art, I think we’re in our Dada phase.”

You’ll find that cooking is an art at the Charlotte Senior Center, a place where a special macaroni salad is on the menu.

Monday Munch
June 6, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., or until the food is gone.
Sliders: portobello mushrooms with caramelized onion, or bacon cheeseburger slider bake, Hawaiian macaroni salad, fruit trifle and chips.
A $5 donation is appreciated, but what is really appreciated are more volunteer cooks and dishwashers to keep these meals going.

Men’s Breakfast
Thursday, June 9, 7-9 a.m.
Will Raap of Earthkeep Farmcommon will describe the innovative new project at the site of the former Nordic Farm on Route 7. Raap, formerly the founder and chief executive officer of Gardener’s Supply, will share his vision for this new farming initiative. Doors open at 7 a.m. and breakfast begins at 7:30, followed by the presentation and discussion.

Grab-&-Go Meal
Pick up: 10-11 a.m.
Roast pork loin, mashed potatoes, green beans, applesauce and birthday cake.
There is no charge for this meal but be sure to register by Monday. Call 802-425-6371 or email.

Monday Munch
June 13, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Taco salad, esquites and strawberry surprise

“Esquites” comes from the Nahuatl word “ízquitl,” meaning toasted corn, and although the origin is unknown, the deity Tlazocihuapilli of Xochimilcas is often credited its invention. Unless you go with the story involving Emperor Maximilian and Empress Charlotte who briefly ruled in Mexico.

Now about that strawberry surprise: Here’s a snippet from the captivating life of Madame Thérésa Tallien (b. 1773), a prominent figure of Parisian social life who once arrived at the Tuileries Palace, then the chief residence of Napoleon Bonaparte, with whom she was briefly intimate, wearing eight sapphire rings, six toe rings, a gold bracelet on each ankle, and nine bracelets on each arm — plus a headband covered in rubies. Citing health benefits, Madame Tallien supplemented her bath water with the juice of strawberries — 22 pounds per bath.

Although strawberry surprise is on the menu at the Charlotte Senior Center, please note that no bath water is available. Nonetheless: Strawberry Fields forever.

Grab-&-Go Meal
Thursday, June16, pick-up: 10-11 a.m.
Meat loaf, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables and apple crisp.