At The Table with the Dickson-Ebersole Family
Jennifer Dickson came to the area from Pittsburgh to visit her sister Kathy’s family and she winds up staying. Here she met Kirsten Ebersole from Lansdale.
Together they made the decision to build a life together. They then moved to Schuylkill Township.
In 2010 Kirsten’s sister Barbara (living in Florida) suffered an anoxic brain injury. After this condition was diagnosed, it was discovered that she was pregnant. Six months later, a 2-pound, 4-ounce baby boy was born.
Barbara remained in a persistent vegetative state on no life support until she passed away in 2016.
Without hesitation, Kirsten and Jennifer decided that the baby would become part of them and their family. So, Robbie Dickson-Ebersol came to Pennsylvania.
The family was looking for a new home. They were leaning toward Phoenixville. One day while riding down Main Street near Third Avenue in Phoenixville they spied a “For Rent” sign. The house for rent was the parish house connected to the Parkside United Church of Christ.
They moved in when Robbie was 11 months old — two weeks before the Dogwood Festival at Reeves Park. They started to settle in and the people of the church welcomed them. The family started to attend church there.
Kirsten works from home as a writer for proposals. Jennifer is stayat-home mom and owner of “The Janes,” which offers “jack-of-all—trades” services. Jennifer is also the sexton at the Parkside Church. In fact, the entire family is vested in the church — and the church is vested in the family.
In 2015 Jennifer and Kirsten married after same-sex marriage became legal in Pennsylvania in 2014. They were marriage by Rev. Russell Mitman at the Parkside Church. The ceremony bonded them as a family including a sand ritual with Jennifer, Kirsten and Robbie. It is family-love-faith that keeps them strong — together and as individuals.
To prevent confusion, Robbie calls Jennifer mommy and Kirsten is mama. But nothing confuses 9-year-old Robbie. He is extremely bright and at easy both with his playmates and adults alike.
Robbie was this year’s Dogwood Festival Prince. He was able to raise $3,685 for the “All Disability Playground” being built at Reeves Park. The money was raised by Robby himself with some help from family and friends.
Grandmother, Barbara Ebersole lives nearby at Spring Mill Senior Living. In honor of Jennifer’s mom Katie, who has passed away, they share here a favorite recipe of hers.
SNOWBALLS
½ cup (1 stick) of butter
3 tablespoons 10x confectioners’ sugar
1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
1 cup finely chopped pecans
Additional 10x confectioners’ sugar for rolling
Cream butter and 3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar until fluffy in a medium size bowl, stir in flour gradually, then pecans until well blended. Chill several hours, or until firm enough to handle. Roll dough, a teaspoon at a time, into marble size balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake in 325-degree oven for 20 minutes or until lightly golden. Cool 5 minutes, remove carefully. Roll in confectioners’ sugar while still warm to make a generous coating. Cool completely on wire racks. Store with wax paper or parchment paper between layers - in a container with tight fitting lid.
ENJOY!
Contract columnist Bette at banjack303.verizon.net. Search YouTube – with BetteBanjack as well as phoenixvillenews.com (search bar Banjack). She can be found on Facebook. Her book “2 Cups of Yesterday” can be found at the Gateway Pharmacy or by contacting her directly.