December 2020

Page A32 DECEMBER 2020 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS Se c t i on A Memoires des choix des Jacque (Memories of Jack’s Recipes) Original Recipes from Dottie and Jack Frediani Shared by Kate Frediani-Gorman Cremation Products Inc. 800-837-0701 www.cremationproductsinc.com YUMMY CINNAMON COFFEE CAKE Good Eating! “In 1663 in New England, cranberries (bounce berries) were tested for ripeness by their ability to bounce.” – American Heritage Cookbook Cranberry sauce and brown sugar create a tangy glaze for meatballs that make a wonderful appetizer or a great main dish. This is a microwave recipe, however, the old-fashioned, stove-top way would work as well. CHRISTMAS MEATBALLS Meatballs: 2 eggs 1 envelope onion soup mix ½ cup seasoned bread crumbs ¼ cup chopped dried cranberries 2 Tbsp minced parsley 1½ pounds lean ground beef Sauce: 1 16-ounce can whole cranberry sauce ¾ cup ketchup ½ cup beef broth 3 Tbsp brown sugar 3 Tbsp finely chopped onion 2 tsp cider vinegar Combine eggs, soup mix, bread crumbs, cranberries and parsley. Mix well with ground beef. Shape into 1-inch balls. Place 12-14 balls on a microwave-safe plate and cover with wax paper. Cook on high for 3-4 minutes, until no longer pink. Remove the wax paper and repeat for all meatballs. In a microwave-safe dish, combine sauce ingredients. Cover and cook on high 3-4 minutes, until heated thoroughly. Gently stir in meatballs. Cover and cook on high for 1-2 minutes. 1 package white cake mix 1 package instant vanilla pudding ¾ cup vegetable oil ¾ cup water ½ tsp vanilla 4 eggs Mix all ingredients together on high speed for 9 minutes. While cake is baking, mix together: 1½ cups confectioners’ sugar 3 Tbsp milk 1 tsp vanilla 1 tsp butter flavoring (optional) Drizzle over warm cake. Meanwhile, mix the following in a small bowl: 1 Tbsp cinnamon 2 Tbsp sugar 1 cup brown sugar 1½ cups chopped walnuts Grease 11 x 17” pan and spread half of the cake mix and half of the sugar- nut mix. Repeat with remaining halves of cake and sugar-nut mix. Bake at 350º for 30 minutes. Forming Connections While attendees could not network in the ways in which they are accustomed, NFDA offered plenty of opportu- nities for attendees to connect outside of the interactive chat feature available during keynote and education ses- sions. During breaks, attendees could join video chat rooms where they could discuss challenges with colleagues; ask experts their most pressing questions; and have fun dur- ing magic shows, trivia contests and the Pup-Doodle Derby races featuring therapy dogs-in-training. Attendees also took time to explore booths in the Vir- tual Expo Hall where they could meet with valued sup- plier partners and discover products and services to help them create meaningful tributes and improve their busi- ness operations. NFDA invited attendees to create a visual representa- tion of the connections they were creating during the Virtual International Convention & Expo by contribut- ing a selfie to the Digital Photo Mosaic, sponsored by Legacy.com. See the finished product on the Convention home page, www.nfda.org/convention. News Association Funeral Service Reunites During Virtual NFDA Convention Digital Photo Mosaic, sponsored by Legacy.com BROOKFIELD,WI— In the midst of a year filled with uncertainty and change, The National Funeral Direc- tors Association (NFDA) brought the profession togeth- er for three days of inspiration, reflection, education, and professional and personal growth during the 2020 Vir- tual International Convention & Expo. Held October 20-22, NFDA’s first-ever Virtual Convention drew 1,806 total attendees (1,254 attendees and 552 exhibitor repre- sentatives). A total of 81 international attendees, repre- senting 15 countries and territories, participated in the event. The Expo Hall featured 128 digital booths. “While we all wish we would have been able to gath- er in person, I am so glad I had the opportunity to re- connect with colleagues and friends during the biggest and best virtual gathering in the funeral profession,” said NFDA president R. Bryant Hightower Jr., CFSP. “I al- ways take so much away from the interactions I have with colleagues during the NFDA Convention and this year’s event was no exception. From conversations taking place during our keynote events and education sessions to the ideas exchanged in break out lounges, I learned so much from my fellow funeral directors that will help me con- tinue to serve families at the highest level.” The NFDA Virtual Convention proved to be an ex- ceptional experience for all who were able to attend. The convention featured thought-provoking keynote sessions led by leadership expert and author Simon Sinek; cus- tomer service authority Micah Solomon; and inspira- tional documentary filmmaker Brett Culp. From better serving Generation Z and LGBTQ+ per- sons to sharpening embalming skills, attendees attended a wide-range of compelling education led by the best ex- perts in their fields. These sessions – and the accompany- ing live chat with expert speakers – offered attendees new perspectives and practical strategies to expand their skills and raise the level of service they provide to the bereaved. Virtual Booth WINNERS CONGRATULATIONS to the William Reece Jr, Reece Funeral Home Ottumwa, Iowa Jeremy Abrego, Zniewski Funeral Home Benson, Minnesota Calvin Cooper, Baker-Isaac Funeral Home Bridgeport, Connecticut Allison Brossoit, Freedom Crematory Service & Repair Mount Dora, Florida Continued on Page A33 Send Us Your News! PO Box 5159, Youngstown, OH 44514 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS Fax 1-800-321-9040 info@nomispublications.com