By AnnaLisa Michalski
Correspondent
What makes a "keeper" recipe in your family?
For us, it's a meal that doesn't take too long to make, doesn't cost a fortune and doesn't make kids turn up their noses. With chicken taquitos, we get all that plus the "something different" factor that makes dinner into a party.

By AnnaLisa Michalski
Correspondent
I'm all about fast, uncomplicated and crowd-pleasing food. So when a friend shared such a recipe with me, I felt a thrill tempered with skepticism.
Would my picky oldest child eat something unfamiliar? Would a built-in side dish of beans be hearty enough to satisfy my and my husband's bigger appetites?

By AnnaLisa Michalski Correspondent Back when the morning show was known as “Live with Regis and Kathy Lee,” actor Stacy Keach appeared and gave his recipe for a baked ham glaze made primarily of beer.

By Pamela Nichols Correspondent Churchland By definition, a civic league is a group of neighbors who are willing to devote their time, talents and efforts to promote and maintain the quality of their community. The Long Point Civic League meets and exceeds this description.

By AnnaLisa Michalski Correspondent

There’s so much to love about this dessert. Even picky kids don’t find its familiar ingredients suspicious. Adults are drawn to its elegant presentation. And let’s face it: who doesn’t like a cool ice cream treat in the heat of summer.

AnnaLisa Michalski, churchland-corner@adminmaven.com  

By AnnaLisa Michalski Correspondent July’s plump, sweet blueberries require very little in the way of embellishment. Give them center stage by topping berries with biscuit dough for a cobbler or buttered bread crumbs for a betty or crumble. If you prefer a little more depth without more fuss, blueberry crisp might be the perfect dessert.

By Pat Haley Correspondent

This quick and easy dessert has been a multi-decade favorite of two local former educators and friends of mine, Dee Sword, retired from Portsmouth Public Schools, and Linda Thomas, retired from Chesapeake Public Schools. The recipe appeared in the “Essence of Portsmouth Cookbook,” which was published by members of the Portsmouth Service League in 1976.

By Phyllis Johnson
Correspondent
CHESAPEAKE
When was the last time you ate a really juicy burger? Five Guys Burgers and Fries at Chesapeake Square Mall serves a tasty burger. It's juicy but with a nice crispiness in the right places and it's fixed the way you like it. All toppings are free, including grilled mushrooms. If you want your onions sauteed, they'll do that too.

By Pamela Nichols Correspondent Portsmouth For months, the Olde Towne Business Association and the Portsmouth Partnership have worked diligently to bring a farmers market to downtown Portsmouth. Their efforts have paid off.

By AnnaLisa Michalski Correspondent Western Branch On a warm, overcast and slightly breezy Friday, I mentioned offhand that it would be a good day to pick strawberries. Seconds later, my 2-year-old was standing at the door, bucket in hand, calling out, “Strawberry picking! Strawberry picking!”