For 36 years, the Ware River Circle of The King’s Daughters and Sons has held a Christmas Open House, an event one did not want to miss.
The members decorate, cook, serve as waiters and waitresses, and even wash dishes, making sure it will be a pleasant visit for the ticket holders. They serve delicious homemade foods, a centerpiece of the Open House.
Many homes in Gloucester and Mathews have graciously opened their doors in support of the circle’s annual Open House fundraiser. And many have done so twice.
Kaleda, located in Ware Neck, is where you come this year to enjoy Christmas decor, music, a holiday table filled with gourmet tastings and enjoy a cup of cheer. The Open House is Tuesday.
Your choice of times to attend: noon to 1 p.m. 1:30-2:30 p.m.; 3-4 p.m.; 4:30-5:30 p.m.
The recipient from proceeds is the Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters. This is where many local children have visited during the fiscal year June 2024 to June 2025.
The chapter said that in this period, CHKD had 32 inpatient admissions from Gloucester, and 6,996 outpatient visits helping Gloucester children; 121 CHKD emergency department visits; and 9,964 visit made to CHKD-affiliated Courthouse Pediatrics in Gloucester.
The circle said in a release, “Members of The King’s Daughters and Sons Circles, of which there are four in our local area, have provided leadership, fundraising and volunteer services, assuring their long-held commitment to children’s health care in the region.
The Ware River Circle was organized in Gloucester County on March 10, 1896, 10 years after the original 10 women organized the first circle in New York. Additional groups in this area are the York River, North River and Chesapeake Bay circles.
WARE RIVER CHICKEN SALAD
2 cans of chicken
1 c. chopped celery
½ c. chopped onion
¾ c. green grapes, halved (optional)
½ to ¾ slivered almonds, lightly toasted
½ c. dried cranberries
1 c. mayonnaise
Salt and pepper to taste
Mix all ingredients except almonds. Can be made several days in advanced. Mix in toasted almonds just before serving. This is enough for 4-6 lunch portions.
GREEN OLIVE SPREAD
(Makes one quart)
16 oz. softened cream cheese
6 Tbs. mayonnaise
1 c. sliced green olives with pimento (coarsely chopped)
2 Tbs. olive brine
Beat together cream cheese, mayo, and olive brine with hand mixer until totally incorporated. Fold in olives. Add more olives if desired.
HOT MULLED CIDER
1 gal. fresh apple cider or unfiltered apple juice
1 med. orange
5 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
1 Tbs. whole cloves
Orange slices for serving (optional)
Pour 1 gallon apple cider or unfiltered apple juice into a 5 qt. or larger slow cooker. Cut 1 medium orange into ¼ inch thick rounds. Add to the slow cooker. Add cinnamon sticks, cloves, and optional spices. To make it easier to serve, place the cloves and spices in a tea ball first, or place in a double layer of cheesecloth or paper coffee filter, gather it up into a sachet, and tie closed with kitchen twine.
Cover the slow cooker and cook until flavors meld, 4 hours on low. If clumps of spices are floating at the top, strain the cider through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a large pot. Keep warm and serve in mugs garnished with more orange slices if desired. This recipe will give you about 35 4-oz. servings.
DILL SPREAD
1 pt. mayonnaise
1 pt. sour cream
3 tsp. dill weed (fresh or dried)
1½ tsp. seasoned salt
3 tsp. parsley
1 tsp. onion powder
Dash of red pepper
Mix all together and refrigerate. Makes a large amount. This recipe is simple and is a favorite.
CREAM CHEESE COOKIES
1 egg yolk
1 c. margarine
1 c. sugar
3 oz. cream cheese
½ tsp. vanilla
2½ c. flour
Raspberry preserves, not jelly
Cream margarine with cream cheese and sugar; add egg yolk, vanilla and flour. Chill in refrigerator at least 2 hours or overnight. Roll in small balls, a little smaller than a walnut; flatten slightly making an indentation in the center with thumb or finger. Place about ½ tsp. raspberry preserves in each. Bake for approximately 12-15 minutes at 325°F.
