I have always loved watching game shows on television and would love to participate in one.
I tell you that to tell you this.
Last week, I met an adorable young couple who were visiting Greenwood. How they got here is a story in itself.
Wendeline Ellis and her husband, Paul, live in Flagstaff, Okla., with their four children. They just recently moved from Arlington, Texas. Wendeline is a stay-at-home mom who works in a restaurant as a waitress on weekends.
A little over a year ago this week, she and some of her friends from the restaurant decided to take a seven-hour road trip to Los Angeles to try to be contestants on the game show, “The Price is Right.”
Wendeline’s husband, Paul, wasn’t too thrilled about the trip because all of Wendeline’s friends were younger and single, and the couple didn’t know them too well having just moved to a new city.
He would also be at home alone babysitting with four children. She went anyway.
The girls began their game show quest donned in bright yellow T-shirts with “We Love Drew” emblazed in bright red letters, and black-rimmed glasses to honor the host’s well-known frames.
Their attire worked – they were immediately chosen as contestants and placed directly behind contestant’s row.
They were elated! Never dreaming one of them would be chosen, just the fact that they would be seen on television in such a prime location.
The very first name called was Wendeline’s.
She had an overbid for the first item. When the next item came up for bid, she knew she had an advantage.
The contestants had to price a designer dress, shoes and a purse.
She was pitted against three men who didn’t have a clue what those items were worth.
They all bid in the $300 range and her bid was $1,100. The items were valued at $1,200 and on stage she went.
Wendeline didn’t fare too well with her game, but knew she still would be able to participate in the spin-off.
Her first spin was 80 cents and her opponent had 95 cents. She had to spin one more time to get closest to a dollar.
As luck would have it, the wheel landed on 20 cents and not only did she win $1,000, but she was eligible for another chance at the wheel.
On the second spin, she watched as the wheel began to stop near two green blocks that surrounded a red block.
If it hit on a green, it was another $10,000. If red, the value was $25,000. The wheel began to inch near the green.
As she turned to the audience with her fists pumped in the air, she couldn’t believe their reaction. As she turned back around, the wheel was in the red and she had just won $25,000. She was headed to the Showcase Showdown.
After passing on the first showcase, she watched as her chosen showcase began to unfold.
The first item was beautiful patio furniture with a young lady seated and reading a copy of the “The Help.”
The day the show aired the day the DVD of the movie went on sale and the book would be the theme for her prizes.
Next was a fully-loaded 2012 Jeep Compass (a newer model of the one Hilly drove) and a trip to Greenwood to stay at The Alluvian.
And that, my friends, is how Wendeline and Paul Ellis got to Greenwood.
“Since we have been here, we have eaten the most delicious food we have ever tasted,” said Wendeline.
Her husband, Paul, agreed, “We have got to go on diets when we get home.” They have thoroughly enjoyed their stay at the Alluvian, the spa, playing golf at the Greenwood Country Club and touring Viking Range.
Taking “The Help” tour and seeing the actual places where the movie was filmed was a favorite for the couple. They said that they can’t wait to get back home and watch the DVD of the movie with their friends.
They said that just strolling around the downtown area was also a pleasant pastime. “Everyone is so happy here,” said Paul. “People say ‘Hi’ and ask you how you are and they really mean it!”
This is the first trip alone without their children since they married.
“We never had a real honeymoon, so this has been such fun for us to just travel alone,” said Wendeline.
When asked how the game show experience had changed their lives, several answers were given.
They had been looking for a new car but just couldn’t find what they wanted with the price they felt they could afford. Now they have a brand spanking new vehicle.
The family dog had been run over and needed some very expensive surgery that they could not have been able to afford without the game show money.
Best of all, the entire family was able to take a first-class trip to Disneyland in California – something they will remember for the rest of their lives.
Wendeline and Paul have thoroughly enjoyed their stay in Greenwood and are already planning to come back next year along with their children.
They want to experience more of our Southern hospitality and share it with their family and friends.
Sometimes at the end of the day, I look at what has transpired since I woke up that morning.
You never know what you will do or who you will meet.
On this day, I was glad to have the opportunity to meet and make a couple of new friends.
What a nice break we have had in the weather. A little bit cooler temperature makes me want some soup.
Hope you enjoy this week’s recipes – they freeze well, too. Thanks for reading.
ZESTY HAMBURGER SOUP
1 pound ground beef
2 cups sliced celery
1 cup chopped onion
2 teaspoons minced garlic
4 cups hot water
2 medium red potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 cups frozen corn
1½ cups uncooked small-shell pasta
4 jalapenos, sliced
4 cups V-8 juice
2 cans Ro-Tel
2 tablespoons sugar
In a Dutch oven, cook the beef, celery and onion until meat is no longer pink.
Add garlic and cook for one more minute; drain.
Stir in water, potatoes, corn, pasta and jalapeno.
Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
Stir in remaining ingredients.
Cook and stir until heated through.
Serve immediately or freeze.
HEARTY TACO CHILI
2 pounds ground beef
1 (16 ounces) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (16 ounces) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 (16 ounces) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (16 ounces) can hominy, rinsed and drained
1 can Ro-Tel tomatoes
1 (8 ounces) can tomato sauce
1 onion, chopped
1 envelope Ranch salad dressing mix
1 envelope taco seasoning mix
1 teaspoon pepper
2 cans (16 ounces) diced tomatoes
1 (4 ounces) can chopped green chilies
Brown ground beef until no longer pink; drain and transfer to a slow cooker.
Add all ingredients and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
Serve with corn chips, sour cream, and shredded cheddar cheese.
•Contact Lee Ann Flemming at lafkitchen@hughes-.net.
