Ever wonder what makes our UUCville board members tick beyond their dedicated service to our community? Well, wonder no more! The Stewardship Steering Committee decided to have a little fun and asked our board members to answer one or all of the three lighthearted questions to reveal the humans behind the leadership. We invited them to answer one or all three of these questions, and their responses offer a delightful glimpse into the hearts and minds of those who help guide our spiritual home. So, take a moment and enjoy getting to know the folks who generously share their time and wisdom with our UUCville family. 

Kim Grover

1. If your kitchen cabinets could talk, what surprising snack habit would they reveal about you that most people would never guess?

My kitchen cabinets will only tell stories of fresh ingredients, and I like to think, creative cooking. The glove box of my car, however, tells a different story. More on that in a minute. In my kitchen, you’ll find canned beans and tomatoes, spices, rice, and pasta. In my fridge, you’ll find local produce and meat. I do keep bacon fat in the fridge that I’ve saved from cooking bacon purchased from Henley’s. I’m currently reading a cookbook called “Victuals” (pronounced Vittles) by Ronni Lundy that is a culinary tour of Appalachia. In this, I learned about something called Killed Greens where you coat fresh spring greens in a bit of cider vinegar and then coat that mixture in melted bacon fat. MMMMMmmmmmm! I’m currently enjoying that mixture on repeat with summer tomatoes and fresh mozzarella. Any of my 4 kids will tell you that I’m often wondering how to make store bought things from scratch, and have given many things a try. My most successful attempt has been bagels. I would love to figure out how to make a fig newton! I’ve lately become a big fan of kombucha (late to the game, I know). So I’m attempting to make my own first batch this summer – starting with the scoby. I’m excited to see how it turns out! So what about the glove box of the car? That’s where Cheetos and cheddar cheese pretzel flavor Combos make their appearances for long road trips. (sorry for the long answer here, I can get pretty excited when we’re talking about food!)

2. Which season speaks to your soul, and how do you celebrate when it arrives?

I love all the seasons and the changes they bring. Autumn colors and hikes in our beautiful mountains, winter relief from heat and the hope for snow. I loveto take a quiet walk when the branches are thick with fresh snow, or grab a sled and ride down the hills at the elementary school nearby! Every new bloom that comes throughout spring – I swear I meet a flower I haven’t seen before every single year! I like our Virginia summer heat and humidity, and the chance to get in a canoe or kayak and travel our river.

3. If you suddenly had a free day with zero responsibilities or commitments, how would you spend those magical 24 hours?

A free 24 hours?! Water activities and food. Canoe, Kayak, Sail, I’m happy to hop in any of those boats. A well made meal with close friends and family. I might even like to prepare that meal, but I’ll leave the clean up to someone else!

Jimmy Gorham

3. If you suddenly had a free day with zero responsibilities or commitments, how would you spend those magical 24 hours?

In no particular order: Binge watch a noir murder mystery show, one of those five-episode series from the UK or Scandinavia (with subtitles for both); a cast of wild characters, 3-4 subplots all woven together. Get pizza delivered. Fall asleep in the middle of episode 4. Play pickleball; the weather is sunny, 68, low humidity (hey, it’s my fantasy). Half-court basketball with my adult sons. Long walk with Bev. Watch Red Sox v. Yankees ballgame (Sox crush the Yanks). Play my drum kit to 70’s classic rock…and actually be good (again: my fantasy).

Achsah Carrier

1. If your kitchen cabinets could talk, what surprising snack habit would they reveal about you that most people would never guess?

If you could survive this way, I would have a kitchen cabinet full of cheese doodles. But you can’t, so my kitchen seems to revolve mostly around vegetables and pasta. Hard to make a snack out of those.

2. Which season speaks to your soul, and how do you celebrate when it arrives?

Spring is definitely my season — the renewal of life. I celebrate with antihistamines, but it is worth it.

3. If you suddenly had a free day with zero responsibilities or commitments, how would you spend those magical 24 hours?

I have been retired for years and my responsibilities and commitments are almost all fully voluntary and fun. Over time I’ve managed to abandon or hire out most of the un-fun ones. But my pleasurable project recently has been trying to teach myself Italian. I watch a lot of videos, and have learned enough to read novels now, though slowly, so that fills many magical hours. If the theory of learning through comprehensible input proves true, I may even learn to speak.

Ellie Syverud

1. If your kitchen cabinets could talk, what surprising snack habit would they reveal about you that most people would never guess?

I always keep a supply of seltzer in my pantry because I love to make egg creams. What are egg creams you ask? They are made with milk, chocolate syrup, and seltzer and are considered an iconic beverage in New York City. The exact origin of the name “egg cream” is unclear. One theory is that it is a possible mispronunciation of “echt keem,” a Yiddish phrase meaning “pure sweetness”. In addition, I’m guessing no one would be surprised to learn that I keep a good stock of dark chocolate in my pantry, but my secret is that I put it on the lowest shelf – so my tall, sweet toothed husband can’t find it!

2. Which season speaks to your soul, and how do you celebrate when it arrives?

My favorite season is summer – because I am a summer baby (born July 3); I love warm weather (though not as much as when i was younger!), love going to the beach, love the water, love swimming, love sitting outside and reading, love dining al fresco, and love summer fruit. I used to love getting a tan until I learned about skin cancer :(. Every year I have it marked on my calendar when Mint Springs Beach opens so I can start beaching!

3. If you suddenly had a free day with zero responsibilities or commitments, how would you spend those magical 24 hours?

a free day? I would sleep late, have brunch or dinner with friends, see a movie or a play, go to a beach or go forest bathing, take a day trip to somewhere new, sit outside at night and enjoy the stars and a bonfire.

If you would like to contact the SSC email us at: SSC@uucharlottesville.org