What's Cooking in Region 1 - February 2004
by Marghretta McBean

Are you Presidential Material (former, now or thinking about it)? Ever wonder what makes Mensa tick? How can your group get and keep members? These and many more topics will be featured at the Leadership Development Workshop to be held April 2 - 4 in Manchester Connecticut, just outside of Hartford. Connecticut & Western Massachusetts Mensa is hosting what promises to be a thought-provoking weekend.

Unlike Regional Gatherings where the purpose is 24-hour fun, LDWs help focus on fostering present and emerging Mensan leaders. The skills learned can be used not only within your local group, but also in other facets of your personal and professional life. Mensa's President, Jean Becker Ph.D., will be leading workshops, as will staff from the national office.

In what may be a Mensa first, we will be having a Gifted Children track, with gifted children in attendance. Mensans are of all ages, and why just talk about gifted children without their input. We are very fortunate to have Dr. Deborah Ruf, the National Gifted Children Coordinator, who is also a gifted child parent, lead the presentations.

Registration information can be downloaded here

Membership renewal time is fast upon us. Those of you who have voted your proxy, please don't void it by not renewing. For you proxy fence sitters, please renew your membership and exercise your proxy at the same time (a card is conveniently included in the renewal package). Online voting is available at American Mensa's Proxy website

In celebrating Black History Month two relevant quotations come to mind: "We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.", spoken by Martin Luther King, Jr. And from Vladimir Nabokov: "Genius is an African who dreams up snow."

Peanuts are a staple of West Africa. Here's an adaptation of

Senegalese Peanut Soup

1. Melt butter (or heat oil) and add flour, stirring until smooth.
2. Add milk and cook over low heat until slightly thickened, stirring constantly.
3. Add seasonings and blend part of hot mixture with peanut butter; combine with the rest of the hot mixture.
4. Heat tomatoes and add slowly, stirring constantly.