Want to learn how to make the best pie crust in the world? 

Do your homemade cookies turn out misshapen and burnt? 

Can you put a gourmet dinner on the table in less than 15 minutes? 

Interested in learning more about Italian cuisine? 

HRH Pat Condelli, The Cookie Queen, also known as "the practical Martha Stewart," teaches all the tricks of the trade in fun-filled classes at the Castle in New Kensington, Pa. 

Home Economist Pat Condelli 

Pat received her degree in Home Economics at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and has been teaching cooking, baking and home making since 1968. 

Choose one of the following classes or tell the Cookie Queen what you would like to bake or cook and she will plan a class specifically for you and your friends. 

Pat also is available for LIVE consultation on SKYPE. If you have a web cam, message Pat on the internet for a time for a live SKYPE consult on your computer. 

* Dough Re Mi - How to handle all types of doughs - yeast, phyllo, pizza, pie, biscuit. Hands on. Sampling. Take home something wonderful. 

* Hassle-Free Holidays -. Save time and your sanity with easy holiday recipes. Hands on. Sampling. Take home something scrumptious. 

* Kids Can Cook - Easy recipes. Lots of fun. Hands on. Sampling. Take home something to show your family what you made. Class limited to six children. 

* Cookies to Die For, Cry For, Lie For - Learn to make "professional-looking" cookies that taste fabulous. Men of all ages really love this class. Hands on. Sampling. Take home some goodies. 

* Yes, You CAN Make a Pie - Anyone can and I’ll teach you how. 

* Intro to Cooking for the Single Man -Basic cooking skills for guys. Prepare wonderful meals for you and your buddies. Food safety. Learn how to host a party. Hands on. Sampling. Something to take home. 

* Carry Me Back to Old Italia - Grand recipes from the North and South of Italy. Family-tested for generations. Hands on. Sampling. Something to take home. 

* Ethnic Cooking With American Flair - You’ll get a little bit of everything in this class - Italian, Greek, Polish, German, Mexican, Dutch, Indian, Chinese. Six sessions.$300. Come for dinner. We eat first. Then I’ll show you how to make it. And you can take some home for your family to taste. Class size limited to six students. 

All classes feature hands-on (not just watching me do it) experience. And everyone gets to take home something they themselves made. 

Most classes are just one 2-3-hour session. There are morning, afternoon, evening and weekend sessions available. 

Individual Classes: $40-$60 (depending on items being prepared), which includes recipes and something delicious to take home. 

To register for a class, phone the Cookie Queen at 724 339-0920 or E Mail: cookiequ@verizon.net 

Taxpayers Are Ignored & Disrespected ~ Time To Demand Our Money Back

As a taxpayer I am just about fed up with being ignored by government entities to whom I send my hard-earned cash.  Perhaps they will pay attention if we demand our money back.

Two recent cases have smoke coming out of my ears.

The first concerns the New Kensington-Arnold School District.  I send them $2,500 each year in property taxes.   I would think that would entitle me to some respect and the courtesy of a return phone call or even an e mail.

I messaged three times for various school district personnel and placed a half dozen phone calls to the administration asking to see the Social Studies books that are used in the junior ad senior high schools.  I explained that I wanted to see what the school was teaching our children about American history.

From what I have heard and seen on the news lately I believe that students today are being indoctrinated with socialist lies about our founders, our heroes, our Constitution and our contributions to the greater good of our nation and the world.  Our children are being taught to disrespect our flag, our anthem and our moral beliefs.  Some books even have entire chapters dedicated to force-feeding our children scurrilous lies about our current President Donald Trump.

I wanted to see for myself what is in the books.  I realize teachers determined to indoctrinate rather than educate also can use handouts and their personal opinions to spread lies and half truths.  But I wanted to see what was actually in the books.

I asked if I could borrow copies of the books either from the school or a library and if that were not possible I wanted the names of the books and their publishers so I could buy the books to read or get them through Libby from The Library of Congress.

Not even one person that I messaged or phoned has replied. Not even the courtesy of a call saying they could not provide me with the information.  One person who answered the phone said she would pass my request on but that she doubted I would be allowed to have that information.  Why the hell not?

So now I have to figure out a way to file a Freedom of Information (FOIA) demand but that will require I pay a lawyer.  

Then there was the case of the Mayor of Portland, Or.  I sent him the following message:

“Dear Mayor Wheeler.....it has come to my attention that you have demanded that the federal government not be permitted to protect the federal courthouse In Portland. Is that true or fake news?  As a federal taxpayer I have paid for part of that building.....including the fencing.   I would like you to explain why my federal building should not be protected from your vandals and armed thugs.  Am I going to have to pay to repair the damages? I would appreciate a refund from you for the tax money I paid to build and maintain that federal building and the fencing.  You can send my refund to the address below.  Thank you.”

Now - I have to admit that I did receive a reply from someone in Ted Wheeler’s office.  But the reply indicated that  they had not even read my request.  All they did was send a lengthy reply about all the wonderful things that Wheeler is doing for the city of Portland.

From what I see on TV, the only thing he is doing is assuring protestors that he is “on their side” and will do nothing to stop their lawless vandalism.

So that means Wheeler should be held personally responsible for the federal funds that will be use to repair the millions of dollars in damage done to the federal courthouse by vile, vicious punks.

Now I want my money back.  Both from Portland and from the New Ken Arnold School District.  Perhaps I need to start a protest if I want someone to pay attention to my demands.