Cafeteria Comments, Pt. 2 Chicken and Dumplings

Chicken and Dumplings, Chicken ’n’ dumplings, Chick’n ‘n’ dumplins….. There’s the correct way to spell it, but then again, there’s the correct way to say it, y’all. And…. Should I refer to the dish as “it” or “them”? Is the term singular or plural? No matter the spelling, the pronunciation, or the number, it seemed to have been by far the favorite food, especially for the guys. Mike Huoni mentioned it/them to me on the phone, the very first time I mentioned “cafeteria food” to him. Remember the chicken and dumpling sandwiches? Willy Bearden also listed the dish as one of his favorites- he has others.  Charles Strong (Hot Shot) says Mrs. Thomas was the Queen of chicken and dumplings. He said they also ate them for years after she retired. Kenneth Burns says they were the very first things that came to mind for him. H.J. Winslow also remembered the chicken and dumplings. He even recalled that Mrs. Fuller was responsible for them.  Girls weighed in on the c & d, too. Mary Dayle Schults McCormick listed it first in her list. I think the second place main course food was fried chicken. It was fabulous!

I had forgotten about many foods. I am thrilled to be reminded. Hot Shot mentioned “the soup” with peanut butter and vanilla wafers. I had forgotten but as soon as I read it, I could almost smell the vegetable beef soup. It was so hearty and delicious.  Other things mentioned as favorites were the split hotdogs that were topped with mashed potatoes and melted cheese, Willy. (I served that to my children, Liz and Andy, when they were little.)Bill Marshall remembered the chili pie and sloppy joes. It seems that everyone remembered the homemade rolls. Lisa Kynerd Smithhart and Cheryl Berry Welch both remembered the smell of the cafeteria and then both agreed it must have come from the baked rolls. Other mentions were macaroni and cheese, green beans swimming in bacon grease (Mary Dayle), taco pie, turkey and dressing, and cranberry sauce.

Coming up next…. Sweets and least favorites….perhaps the sweets will balance the others. There is still time to share your memories. Surely more of you who went to RFHS in earlier and later classes have memories. Come on; share.

Stay tuned.