Round the World From Charleston...

Jul 12, 2021
3 min read

Good news is flowing these days from our MCJ family. Chef Jennifer Hill Booker, a world renowned, classically French trained chef has just published her latest book, "Jelly Fries a Fish for Dinner". The book is an homage to her southern roots growing up in you guessed it, Charleston, Mississippi. Jennifer is the daughter of Laverne Hill Lee and Granddaughter of Bessie Lee and Grenache Scurlock.

Chef Jen has taken her Southern culinary heritage, her belief in healthy, seasonal foods and her classic French training to create a unique cuisine — Modern Southern Healthy Cuisine with a French Accent. Chef Booker is an Impact Fellow with the James Beard Foundation, a Georgia Grown Executive Chef for the GA Department of Agriculture, the Culinary Explorer for the Georgia Department of Tourism and Travel, and is the founder of Southern Divas of the New South TM Dinner Series. Chef Jennifer currently sits on the James Beard Foundation Scholarship Committee.

The following video link is from her appearance on the Today Show on NBC. https://www.today.com/video/deep-fried-mississippi-catfish-an-easy-recipe-for-busy-parents-116603973758?fbclid=IwAR0tlDdAhhP9AN0qfRnvBl9E8NESO1-dNhs8m5iL8VwztNH8ye1iOLExwis

Turning the page to the upcoming MCJ 2021 KC Family Reunion, we'd like to offer the following reminders.

MCJ Scholarship - We plan to give our usual awards to encourage our youth academically. Although we're off to a late start, we'll be playing catch-up to make it happen at the reunion so please be prepared with those report cards. Just bring a copy of the official report cards and/or transcript to the reunion, regular procedures will apply.

Family Reunion Dues - Just use one of the easy, convenient ways to pay. They are:

Cash app $Familyman123

Paypal ecollinsemg@gmail.com

Check or money order - Ernest Collins 3891 E. 61st street KCMO 64130

2021 MCJ Dues

Adults: $75.00

Seniors: $60.00 (age 60 or up)

College: $60.00

Children:13-17 $50.00

6-12 $30.00

0-5 FREE

Hotel Info as follows:

Below, is the complete process to book Suites under the Metcalf-Collins-Johnson Family Reunion Block. Family can call Reservations 24 hours daily, at 1-800-445-8667 to book a reservation. Guest must provide the Group Name “Metcalf-Collins-Johnson Family Reunion” or Group Code “MET” to receive the Group Rate.

Your web page address is: https://embassysuites.hilton.com/en/es/groups/personalized/M/MKCWEES-MET-20210903/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG

Also, Family can book reservations online using the Booking Link. You must use the entire link for the Webpage to display properly. You can forward or copy/paste the link to your website. Family needing extra assistance can contact Charles, our Embassy Suites sales manager directly at 816-204-3732.

Reunion Tee Shirts - Log on to www.alphaomegacontracting.biz to order and be assured of receiving your preferred style, fabric and size.

We'd like to share some of the planned activities for the reunion although we're continuing to refine those plans with an eye toward making your stay in KC as enjoyable as possible. You may have heard we're going to kick things off this year with a special Thursday night opening party at the Collins Compound. This event just might become a tradition at our reunions, at least for any future reunion hosts that want to compete for the title! Next, we have the Welcome to KC Meet &Greet on Friday evening at 6:00 p.m. at the hotel. The annual MCJ Family Business Meeting will be Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. followed by the KC Masterpiece Picnic at 1:00 in Swope Park at the Bandstand, just off 63rd & Jackson. Saturday night we’ll have a range of suggested activities including chilling at the hotel for the less adventurous. Sunday morning we’ll worship together for those that choose to followed at 1:00 p.m. by our annual MCJ Banquet with all the related activities. The banquet will be held at the Fireman's Hall at 63rd & Manchester.