Bena Mae’s Kitchen: Where everyone knows you and cares about you

 By now, readers of this column are aware that I prefer the Mayberry-like simplicity of living in a small town where everybody knows you and cares about you. Sometimes it’s like time has stood still, but I like it that way. Leave the pressure of living in a high-tech society to the city-dwellers. They can have it.

I experienced one of the many advantages of a small town just the other night when I was having dinner with a group of friends at the “all the fish you can eat” restaurant in town. It was our usual Friday night get-together where we let our hair down and talk about the trivial or not so trivial events in our lives. Group therapy, in other words. 

We had finished eating and were lingering over our coffee when two city policemen appeared at our table. “Is there a Mrs. Seivers here?” one of them asked. My heart jumped to my throat. All I could think of was my family and the possibility that something had happened to them.

“I’m Mrs. Seivers,” I replied in a quavering voice.

“We’ve just come from your house. Your burglar alarm went off and we checked it out but we couldn’t find any signs of a break in.  We tried all the doors and windows, thinking you might be inside since your car was in the driveway (my friend had picked me up) and we thought you might have had an accident and fallen.”

I thanked them profusely for the trouble the alarm had caused. They said they had tracked me down to make sure I was alright.  The officers were very polite and showed no irritation at having been called out on a false alarm.

When I arrived home and my friend let me out of the car, I was surprised to see a crowd of neighbors standing in my yard, apparently having a good time laughing and talking. They were waiting for me and quickly brought me up to date.

A fire truck, along with a police car had been there, plus all the neighbors who offered their assistance. They had contemplated breaking in the front door, but were talked out of it by my next-door neighbor who felt that idea was a little too drastic. Instead, they started calling around town to see if anyone knew where I was. Finally they reached a friend who knew my Friday night routine and told the officers I was at a local restaurant. They called the restaurant and talked to the manager who told them that I was indeed there.

This whole scenario reminds me of the words to a song: “There’s no secrets in a small town. Word gets around.” I know that some people resent this intrusion into their privacy. But I welcome it. It’s comforting to know that people really care.

Nothing reminds me of old fashioned home cooking more than Cracker Barrel. This Macaroni and Cheese is so good.

Cracker Barrel Baked Macaroni and Cheese

2 Tbsp. butter

2 Tbsp. flour

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. dry mustard

2 1/2 cups milk

2 cups cheddar (8 oz.), divided

2 cups elbow macaroni (8oz.)

1/4 cup buttered bread crumbs

paprika

In saucepan, melt butter. Blend in flour, salt, and mustard. Add milk, stir constantly until sauce thickens a little. Add 1 1/2 cups cheese, heat until melted, stirring.  Remove from heat.

Meanwhile, cook macaroni as directed; drain. Combine with sauce in a buttered 2 quart casserole; top with remaining cheese, then buttered bread crumbs and sprinkle with paprika.

Bake at 375” about 20-25 minutes or until nicely browned.