Members of the Lawrence MHV learned about cooking for large during a presentation by Paulette Tramill at the club’s September meeting.

    Tramill noted that cooking for a large group is different then cooking for a small dinner party.

    “It takes more money, more time, more space, more pots and pans and more food,” she said. “And it’s all about planning, organizing and making detail lists.”

    With a large group, Tramill advises keeping the menu simple.

    The speaker also provided the following simple tips:    

    • Teenagers eat 30-40 percent more food than average, while seniors eat less.

    • Make more of super well-like dishes; potato salad always wins out over fruit salad. 

    • Meat portions should be 5-8 ounces per person, salads 3-4 ounces, bread 1-2 slices and 1 dessert per person. Beverages will vary on type.

    “Err on the side of caution,” Tramill said. “A little too much is just enough.”

    The club met at Newton Public Library. After the minutes and treasurer’s report, committee reports were presented.

    Ninety three magazines were recycled; 10 bags of newspapers were taken to the animal shelter; 618 Campbell Soup labels were taken to Sunbelt Youth Ranch (they receive money for school supplies); two birthday parties were hosted at Woodlawn Court; and Wardene Mason did two Story Hours for the library.

    Newton Elementary School received 46 Box Tops for Education and 34 Campbell Soup labels.

    Paulette Tramill will paint two backdrops for Newton Theatre Company’s production of “Camelot,” designing the poster and program cover. Sixteen lap robes were made for the nursing home(they normally take two hours per robe to construct).

    The club’s next meeting will be Oct. 21 at 3 p.m. at the library. The public is invited to attend and the program will be “Diversity.”