HOORAY FOR THE JOY-GIVERS! We always need more smiles, music and laughter. This fun series salutes those seriously unsolemn people, places and things that bring joy to the world. Starting during the pandemic, an oft joy-challenged time, readers are introduced to present-day joy givers and reminded of cherished joy givers of the past. Each salute will have online links to add more opportunities for happiness in the comfort of your socially-distanced home. Many installments of the series will include a salutary food or drink recipe to add another element of pleasure.
The “SHIELD THE JOYOUS” shields, which will be given to those honored or to their family, are inspired from a passage in “The Book of Common Prayer” (1662). Prayers are lifted to “tend the sick, give rest to the weary, bless the dying…and shield the joyous.” Joy givers are precious. Let us preserve them, protect them, treasure them, smile with them, laugh with them, tap our toes with them and give them A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
PLEASE GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR: MINNIE PEARL
First, let’s share a round of laughs with this joke Minnie Pearl told: “Kissin’ a man with a beard is a lot like goin’ on a picnic. You don’t mind goin’ through the bush to get there.”
Here is a round of great things to salute “America’s Favorite Country Comedienne:”
- MINNIE PEARL WAS BIRTHED IN CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA in 1935- The beloved “Cousin Minnie Pearl” received thousands of letters from fans who never thought of her as the fictional character created by the college-degreed actress, Sarah Ophelia Colley, during a weeklong visit with the Burden family in Baileyton.
- MINNIE PEARL had two popular catch phrases: “HOWDEEEEE, I’m jes’ so proud to be here!!” And “I love y’all so much it hurts.”
- MINNIE PEARL’S trademark straw hat sported the $1.98 price tag because the actress, Sarah Colley, hurriedly wrapped dime-store flowers around the brim and the price tag was on the flowers.
- MINNIE PEARL’S fictional hometown, Grinder’s Switch, was based on Colley’s hometown, Centreville, Tennessee.
- MINNIE PEARL sang on a number of hit duets with Grandpa Jones, Ernest Tubb and others but her highest charting song was “Giddyup Go” an answer to a Red Sovine classic.
- MINNIE PEARL was a favorite on television variety shows including: “The Liberace Show” (YouTube this for some candelabras and cornpone), “The Dinah Shore Show,” “The Carol Burnett Show” and “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.”
- MINNIE PEARL was the first comedian elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame (she’s also the first person to be saluted in our “Round of Applause” series).
FREE YOUTUBE ROUND-UP OF MINNIE PEARL FUN: “The Best of Minnie Pearl Comedy” (one hour); “This Is Your Life: Minnie Pearl” (30 minutes); “The Grand Ladies of the Grand Ole Opry: Minnie Pearl” (30 minutes)
We love Minnie Pearl so much it hurts! Please join us in giving her “A Round of Applause” and enjoy this recipe for “HOWDEE-LICIOUS SUMMER VEGETABLE MEDLEY” shared by Raydonna Sims of the Cullman County office of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.
SUMMER VEGETABLE MEDLEY
In an electric skillet or a heavy stainless skillet, heat 1/8 cup olive oil
Add:
- 1 cup chopped onion
- ½ cup chopped, seeded bell pepper Sauté until tender crisp
Add:
- ½ cup sliced fresh okra
- 1 ½ cup whole kernel fresh corn 1 ½ tsp. chopped garlic
- Sprinkle with 1 ½ teaspoons creole seasoning Sauté until okra is tender
Add:
- 1 ½ cups chopped fresh tomatoes Stir and cook 2 minutes more
Serve with chicken fingers, catfish or as a veggie sauce for cheese grits and shrimp.
To plate the dish, spoon a small amount of cheese grits the length of the platter or in the center of a plate, place chicken fingers or catfish on top of grits; next spoon the vegetable medley on top of chicken or fish being careful to let some of the chicken or fish show.
For shrimp and grits, spoon a generous amount of grits in a serving dish; spoon vegetable medley on grits, then place steamed shrimp on top of vegetables. Sprinkle with more creole seasoning.
Garnish with parsley, kale or some of the vegetables sliced and placed on the dish.
*You may substitute other vegetables or add the vegetables of your choice. Example: Asparagus works well with this dish, as well as fresh field peas.
