Farewell to a dear friend

DEAR READERS: Someone recently asked for information about Dave

Farrington. I shared no information, because if he wanted me to tell you, he would have mentioned it.

What a shock to see his obituary in

The Oklahoman on Oct. 2. I still have many recipes he has shared and will continue to share them from time to time, because that’s why he sent them. Here is one he shared sometime ago. This one is Easy Pineapple Cake. Note that a 20-ounce can of crushed pineapple will be enough for making the cake and the topping.

EASY PINEAPPLE CAKE

2 cups flour 2 cups sugar 2 eggs 2 cups crushed pineapple and juice 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon vanilla ½ cup chopped nuts, optional

Preheat oven to 350 F. In large mixing bowl, beat all ingredients together. Spread in greased 9-by-13-inch pan and bake 20 minutes.

TOPPING

¼ cup sugar ¼ cup cream 3 tablespoons margarine ¼ cup crushed pineapple and juice 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/8 teaspoon salt 4 cups powdered sugar

In medium saucepan, bring ¼-cup sugar, cream and margarine to boil and cook 2 minutes. Add pineapple, vanilla and salt. Return to boil. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Add powdered sugar and mix well. Spread on warm cake.

And, we still have State Fair contest winning recipes to share. Here’s a Poundcake that was a first-place winner in the Poundcake division of the C&H Sugar contest. It was won by Lawana Martin, of Newcastle.

AMARETTO POUNDCAKE

2 sticks butter 1 cup light brown sugar 2 cups flour 1 teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 4 large eggs ¼ cup amaretto 1 teaspoon vanilla ¾ cup powdered sugar 2 tablespoons amaretto

Preheat oven to 325 F. Spray tube pan with non-stick spray. In small mixing bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar.

In large mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Stir in eggs, butter mixture, ¼-cup amaretto and vanilla. Mix well and spread in prepared pan. Bake 55-to-60 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to wire rack while preparing glaze.

For glaze, stir together powdered sugar and 2-tablespoons amaretto. Move cake to serving dish and spread with glaze. Sprinkle with almonds. — Melba

SHOWTIME

DEAR MELBA: Please invite your readers to the free Healthy Living Arts Festival, 11501 N Rockwell, from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. I’ll be there giving away quilted wall art and gifts in exchange for donations to Peppers Ranch Foster Family Community to build new loving homes for 400 homeless foster children. Take a virtual tour on www.PeppersRanch.com.

Antique and new handmade quilts will also be given in exchange for donations for the UMC Missions at the Quail Springs United Methodist Church, 14617 N Penn Ave., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. And invite readers to the St Ann’s Fall Craft Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 17. I’ll also be there giving away antique and new handmade quilts and gifts in exchange for donations to build homes for Peppers Ranch Foster Family Community. — Judy Howard, Oklahoma City

DEAR MELBA: Please invite your readers to the 13th Oklahoma Artists Invitational Fall Art Show and Benefit, scheduled for Friday through Sunday in the Shoppes at North Park.

Twenty-four artists will show original paintings, sculpture, jewelry and cards, and a special part of this event will be the talks by Dr. Richard V. Smith about stroke prevention and treatment on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. A part of the sales will be donated to Mercy Foundation and these talks have proven to be life-saving.

Reception hours will be 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, and 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. All are free and open to the public.

— Henrie Close

DEAR MELBA: Please tell readers about our annual Craft Fair and Bake Sale which will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday at Southern Hills United Methodist Church, 8200 S Pennsylvania Ave.

There will be a variety of vendors and lunch will be available.

— Judy Domer, UMW Craft Fair Committee

DEAR MELBA: We will be holding our sixth annual Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Quail Springs United Methodist Church, 14617 N Pennsylvania Ave.

Money raised from booth rentals, the bake sale, gift boutique, and food sales will benefit UMW mission projects. Please invite readers to come and shop for a variety of items from crocheted blankets, quilts, holiday decorations to candy and books.

— Susan Wind, Oklahoma City

DEAR MELBA: The Blanchard United Methodist Women want to invite your readers to our annual fall craft bazaar from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the UMC, Christian Life Center, 1101 N. Main in Blanchard. There will be a variety of arts, crafts and food. Lunch will be included for $5. We hope many will be able to attend this free special event.

— Kay Lowry, Blanchard

If you have a problem other readers might help solve or an idea you’d like to share, email mlovelace@oklahoman.com or write to Melba’s Swap Shop, Box 25125, Oklahoma City, OK 73125. Please include your name and address.