Holiday showcase draws crowd

Roosevelt County Extension Program Director Connie Moyers, who was recently recognized for serving as a host affiliate co-liaison to the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences national board, dazzled an audience of more than 100 people Tuesday at the Memorial Building in Portales with her homemade food and craft creations.

“It’s really a neat honor to be able to do it,” Moyers said of her recent recognition for her work. “I just like doing it and people really enjoy finding ideas and recipes for their families.”

Moyers said Falling into the Holidays event, in its 15th year, sold out for all three sessions, just as it did every year, with a lot of regulars attending from Curry and Roosevelt counties.

The event had three sessions, beginning Monday night and ending Tuesday night with each session costing $5 per person.

“People are really excited to take ideas home,” Moyers said.

Moyers said in addition to people from New Mexico and Texas, it drew attendees from other states, such as North Carolina.

Moyers said proceeds from the event go toward funding other extension programs and events throughout the year.

“Did any of you catch the mistake in that recipe yet?” Moyers asked her audience Tuesday afternoon during the second session as she made hominy chili. “I think this recipe right here was everyone’s favorite last night.”

Moyers pointed out to her audience a mistake with a seasoning measurement as she demonstrated how to make the chili.

She also demonstrated how to make cornbread salad, which included multiple layers of crumbled cornbread, mayonnaise with ranch dressing, bell peppers, green onions and more.

“I just find ideas and I do them my own way,” Moyers said of her various crafts and recipes. “Even a recipe is just a guideline to do things your own way.”

Moyers said she felt the event was successful and that her audience enjoyed themselves.

Deena Leuea, an office manager at the extension office in Barber, Texas, said she enjoyed the event, especially the fact that Moyers demonstrated how to make several of the recipes in the book.

“The first one I went to was in Curry County,” Leuea said of extension events. “It was all crafts and Connie’s is all food, so together, they’re a really nice balance.”

Each person attending the event was given a book filled with holiday food recipes and crafts as they arrived Tuesday.