October is national popcorn month

I hope that some of the educators will find todays’ info useful…October is National Popcorn Month, and since 2012, the Popcorn Board has awarded thousands of dollars to deserving schools across the U.S. through our Popcorn Pep Club Contest. From Oct. 1st thru year’s end, schools can submit creative ways they have used popcorn to learn and build school spirit. Cash prizes are awarded to the best entries including a $2,500 first place and $1,000 second and third place prizes. Help promote this fun, educational and rewarding contest. Learn more at www.popcorn.org/PepClub.

Give me a P-O-P-C-O-R-N and what have you got? A chance to win cash prizes for your school! Every fall from September through Dec. 31, we hold our annual Popcorn Pep Club Contest. Schools from all over the U.S. are invited to showcase their team spirit and love of popcorn for a chance to win: First Prize – $2,500: Second and Third Prizes – $1,000: and Honorable Mentions – $500. Get into the spirit by joining in the Popcorn Pep Club Contest, and you could be on your way to bringing extra school supplies, healthy snacks or new equipment to your school.

Here’s how: Fill out the entry form that is on line and return to include a description of your school’s project. Photos and videos are encouraged to help tell your story.

Examples of showcasing school spirit include: Creating works of art using popcorn as the basis; Writing stories about the history or folklore of popcorn;

Making popcorn recipes as part of a family & consumer science class; Building a popcorn-themed science project; Selling popcorn during a school function or fundraiser; Writing and editing a popcorn music video; Celebrating October National Popcorn Poppin’ Month in your own unique way; So get creative, get busy, and get popping for your chance to win cash prizes for your school! The contest is open to schools located within the U.S. only. Contest opens in September and ends December 31.

Popcorn Balls:

8 cups popped corn (Put in a large metal container in a 325 degrees in the oven to keep warm) Combine 1 and 1/3 cups sugar, 1 cup butter, ¼ cup clear Karo, and ¼ cup syrup or molasses in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil until mixture turns a light caramel color. Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla. Pour over corn and toss with 2 large buttered spoons until corn is well coated. Butter hands real good and make into balls. (Butter on the hands helps keep the syrup from burning the hands.) This is a good job for two people. When balls are cold, wrap in plastic wrap and store.

Popcorn Energy Bars:

Prepare corn and syrup like for the Popcorn Balls. Mix together 2 cups raisins, 2 cups nuts (parched peanuts, sunflower seeds, pine nuts, sesame seeds, walnuts, almonds, etc.), 1 cup toasted oatmeal, and 6 cups popcorn. Stir 1 cup peanut butter into the hot syrup. Mix syrup and nut/seed mixture. Press into a greased jelly roll pan. Press to make firm. When cool, cut into the desired shape. Dip in melted chocolate, if desired. When cool, wrap each in plastic wrap and store in zip lock bags.

Breakfast Popcorn:

Put hot buttered popcorn in a bowl, pour honey or syrup over, add cold milk, and serve.

Something to Remember:

The nicest place to be is in someone’s thoughts, the safest place to be is in someone’s prayers, and the very best place to be is in the hands of God. Amen. Take care and I’ll be seeing you around. -Agnes

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