Literacy and Cuisine:
VITA Adds a Second Cookbook Selection
Food
is an Acadiana pastime, so VITA recently added a second cookbook selection to
assist in the support of the program.
ESL (English as a Second Language) students compiled recipes from eight
countries into An International
Collection of Recipes. The
students prepared and tested contributions from their countries during the ESL
group classes. During that time
the students practiced their English writing and conversational skills.
The cookbook features appetizers, soups, salads, breads, entrees and desserts from the students’ home countries. Photographs of the students are included with the recipes.
Several students appeared with VITA Instructor Betty Haynes on Passe Partout and Meet Your Neighbor on Channel 10 and Good Morning Acadiana on Channel 3 to publicize their cookbook. The publication was also featured in The Daily Advertiser and the The Independent Weekly.
VITA’s first cookbook, Du Bon Manger, was published in 1993. Author Alphosine Martin, a former VITA student, wrote the cookbook with the help of her tutor, Melba Martin. The cookbook is a collection of original Cajun recipes that were passed down from her family. Such unusual selections as Sweet Potato Bread, Salmon Gumbo, Fig Cake, and Forgotten Cookies may sound familiar to local cooks. Photographs of Alphosine and her family are sprinkled throughout the pages of the cookbook.
Both cookbooks are available from VITA for $5.00 each plus postage. An order form is included in newsletter.
VITA 2005-2006 Friends
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Acadiana Works Jeff Ackermann Earl Alleman Bill Bowers Etta Brew Broussard, Poche, Lewis and Breaux Jerri Callier Gene and Georgia Cole The Daily Advertiser Elaine Dugas Dollar General Durio, McGoffin, Stagg and Ackermann Episcopal Church of the Ascension Angela Fangue Carmen Ferrer Virginia Finley Vivienne Francis |
John Grimes, Ph.D. Barbara Hansen John Hebert Rev. Dale Hensarling Heymann Foundation John Hiatt Dianne Judice Barbara Kinchen Karen Kitson Melodi Marchiafava Alphosine Martin Eileen Menard Martin Pat McCarthy Huey McCauley, Ph.D. Lou Montgomery Moses Morgan Mary Neiheisel, Ph.D. Dr. and Mrs. Jim Odom |
Opelousas Woman’s Club Ridgeway’s Inc. Anne White Robinson Fred Sierveld Evelyn Smith Gail Smith Irene Soileau Stone Energy Joseph Thomas Alicia Towster Ken Villemarette Wal-Mart Distribution Center Wal-Mart Literacy Foundation Wal-Mart Tranportation Center May Louise White Whitney Bank Donna Young Anonymous Donor |
Mardi Gras Brings VITA Students and Tutors Together
A Mardi Gras Dictionary by Lafayette author Beverly Vidrine was read to the group and a copy was given to a student as a door prize. Other door prizes were copies of Du Bon Manger, a cookbook by former VITA student Alphosine Martin, and An International Collection of Recipes, a collection contributed by the VITA ESL classes. Annual Recognition Banquet Sunday, April 30, 2006 6 p.m. at Vermilionville Tickets will be mailed to tutors, students and friends of VITA |
VITA Student Doubles as a Tutor In addition to attending VITA ESL classes, VITA Book Club and the Computer Lab, Student Jianmin Zhu, a Chinese native, now also tutors for the program. Jianmin tutors a Chinese couple, XiuYun Yu and Fanzhang Meng, in reading and speaking English. XiuYun and Fanzhang spoke no English when they came to America two years ago to live with their daughter in Sunset. Fanzhang, a Chinese literature teacher, could only read a few words in English. The VITA staff approached Jianmin to teach the students and she graciously accepted. The tutor team works together twice a week and the couple also attends the VITA Computer Lab. The couple says that they can
now recognize some English |
The
VITA Open House and King Cake Party was held in Lafayette February 21.
words
in the newspaper and understand more terms on TV.
We Bid Farewell to Miss Alphosine
Miss
Alphosine Martin, beloved VITA role model and former student, passed away on
March 10 at the age of 96.
Alphosine was a student in the program from 1988 until 1996. During those eight years, she learned
to read and write with the help of her tutor, Melba Martin. Melba also assisted Alphosine in writing
a cookbook, Du Bon Manger, a
compilation of family recipes.
In addition to her educational accomplishments, Miss Alphosine became a
VITA spokesperson and inspirational role model.
A native of Rayne, Alphosine lived most of her life in Lafayette. She did not go to school because she helped raise her younger brothers and sisters after their mother died. As a young woman, she worked as a housekeeper for $3 a week. She supplemented her income by working at a movie theater at night and taking in sewing as a sideline. Her talent as a seamstress finally secured her a job making alterations at Abdalla’s Department Store, and she worked there for over 40 years.
Alphosine came to VITA at age 78. Her dentist called to enroll her in the program because she couldn’t read her post surgery instructions. Alphosine said she thought she was too old to learn but once she started her lessons with Melba, those fears went away.
Because she was an expert Cajun
cook, Melba and Alphosine compiled her family recipes as a reading
project. Alphosine had intended to
distribute it to family and friends as a keepsake, but the 
VITA
staff urged her to let them have it printed. The cookbook of favorite recipes interspersed with family
photographs became a popular publication among VITA tutors and students and
among Miss Alphosine’s friends.
Since its publication in 1993, Miss Alphosine sold almost $5000 of her
cookbooks herself, at $5 per book.
She donated all the proceeds to VITA.
Miss Alphosine was also an active spokesperson for the program, representing VITA at many functions over the years. She was the guest of honor at the VITA Christmas Parties, King Cake Open Houses and VITA Recognition Banquets. An award presented yearly at the Recognition Banquet was named in her and Melba’s honor. The Martin Award is presented each year to a student and tutor team who share a special bond and commitment to learning.
Miss Alphosine will be sorely missed at VITA. Her last visit with us was at Christmas time. She always brought the staff a special treat on her visits; this time it was her homemade pralines. She was a very special lady and an inspiration. We applaud her courage and determination and thank her for touching our lives.
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VITA Training Seminar Schedule VITA training seminars are tentatively planned this year. The following seminar is scheduled in the VITA Training Room on the fourth floor of Whitney Bank in Lafayette. Dates and Times Thursday, April 6 9
a.m. – 2 p.m. |
VITA Welcomes New Tutors
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VITA’s International and Local Cookbooks Support Literacy
An International Collection of Recipes and Du Bon Manger are available to order from VITA. An International Collection of Recipes is a selection of 27 recipes from eight countries that was recently compiled by VITA ESL students. Photographs of the students are featured in the cookbook. Cost for the cookbook is $5.00 plus $1.50 postage.
Du Bon Manger is a cookbook published in 1993 by former VITA Student Alphosine Martin. The 43-page cookbook offers Cajun cuisine and family photos. Cost is $5.00 plus $1.00 postage.
Funds for the cookbooks help support the VITA program.
VITA Cookbook Order Form
Name _________________________
Address ____________________________
____________________________
Telephone Number _____________________________
Number of Copies
An International Collection of Recipes ___________ $6.50 each
(includes postage)
Du Bon Manger __________ $6.00 each
(includes postage)
Total ___________ $___________
Send order and check made out to VITA to:
VITA
Cookbook Order
905 Jefferson St., Ste. 404
Lafayette, LA 70501