ATLANTA (AP)—Long before the nation obsessed over the sleeves of its Black first lady, Eunice Johnson was shining a spotlight on Black beauty and style.

The wife of Ebony magazine founder John Johnson, she used her natural flair and healthy finances to create the Ebony Fashion Fair, a sepia-hued, touring fashion show that would spend 50 years bringing high fashion to generations of neglected Black audiences.

BLACK ACHIEVERS HONORED—“God–Our Refuge and Strength” was the theme of the 5th Annual Black History Banquet at Park Place AME Church in Homestead. Greg Spencer, president and CEO of Randall Industries LLC/chairman of the board of directors of Hill House, was the keynote speaker.

GREG SPENCER, Keynote Speaker	VALERIE NJIE, Honoree

The honorees were David Allen, Allstate Insurance-Territorial Sales Leader of Sales and CustomerService of Western Pa.; Sharon Fisher, principal, Franklin primary and Barrett Elementary schools, Steel Valley School District; Charlotte Jeffries, attorney at Law, senior partner in the firm of Horty, Springer and Matten P. C.; Valerie Njie, executive director/senior vice president, Bidwell Training Center, Inc.; Lula Pressley, stewardess, missionary, former church school teacher and gospel chorus member, Park Place AMEC. Top left: Rev. David W. Bethea, pastor, with wife Kathleen. Top right: Honoree Charolette Jeffries and Rev. Davis W. Bethea.

There’s nothing quite like a delicious Easter dinner with the family—except maybe one that’s heart-healthy and full of whole grain benefits.

“It’s great to gather around the dinner table and spend quality time with your family, but there’s no need to break the bank on calories or raise cholesterol levels,” said Michele Powers, R.D. and chef, on behalf of Uncle Ben’s. “These recipes allow you to celebrate and not feel guilty the next day because each is heart-healthy and packed with tasty vegetables or fruit.”

For more recipe ideas, visit UncleBens.com.

WILD RICE PRIMAVERA

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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Serves: 6
1 box (6 ounces) Uncle Ben’s Long Grain & Wild Rice
Original Recipe
3-1/2 cups fat-free, reduced sodium chicken broth, divided
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 cup baby carrots, cut into small coins
1 cup zucchini, cut into half moons
1 cup yellow squash, cut into half moons
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup asparagus, diced

Empty the contents (rice and seasoning packet) of rice box into a saucepan along with 2-1/2 cups chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a separate skillet, heat the remaining

cup of chicken broth over medium heat. Add garlic and Italian seasoning. Once steam begins to rise from the broth, add carrots, zucchini, squash and tomatoes and reduce heat slightly to medium-low, cover and heat for 5 minutes.

Carefully remove the lid and add asparagus. Cover with lid and steam for another 2 minutes. Remove the lid and turn off the heat.

Once the rice has cooked for 20 minutes, pour the rice into the skillet with the vegetables and toss to combine.

Tip: Serve this heart-healthy recipe with ham for a special family meal.

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Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 40 minutes
Serves: 6 to 8, depending on the size of the mushrooms
1 cup Uncle Ben’s Natural Whole Grain Brown Rice
1 tablespoon oil
1 cup onion, diced
1/2 cup green peppers, diced
2 cups low-fat, reduced sodium chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 can (2.25 ounces) sliced black olives, diced
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes cut into small pieces
1 cup reduced fat feta cheese
1/4 cup parsley
6 to 8 portobello mushrooms

In a saucepan, add oil over medium heat. Add onions and green peppers and brown slightly for about 3 minutes.

Add brown rice and dried oregano along with 2 cups of low-fat chicken stock to pan and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lay 6 to 8 mushrooms on a baking sheet, top down. Remove the stems (if they have them) with a spoon.

Continue to prepare the filling by stirring in black olives, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese and parsley into the cooked rice.

Spoon equal portions of rice mixture onto the middle of each of the portobello mushrooms and bake for 12 to 15 minutes.

Remove mushrooms with a spatula and serve.

Tip: Makes a delicious heart-healthy meal that everyone will enjoy. Great for entertaining!

Is it proper to tell a man that he should remove his hat when he is dining indoors at a country club? I was at an event recently and noticed two men eating quite proudly with their hats on. In the case of one of the men the hat was clearly a part of his outfit but it still should have been removed. The other man looked like he just didn’t know any better.

So men and the women who love them can understand when a hat should be “doffed” (removed) that is the opposite of “donned” (to put on) I have found this list of tips for you in Wikipedia under the topic of “practicing male hat etiquette.”