Leon County Cooks: Wenonah Latham Ward

Wenonah Latham Ward Leon County is extremely blessed with men and women who give more than they take and Noni Ward is a perfect example. She is a regular at the Lone Star Community Center and can always be depended upon to do whatever is needed.

Ward and some friends recently prepared several dozen cakes, pies and breads to be sold at a bake sale benefi ting the Community Center. She will cook for the upcoming Halloween Carnival as well as the Fall Jamboree scheduled in November at the Center. She has a quiet nondemanding spirit and her efforts are greatly appreciated by those around her.

Noni was born in Teague and was named for the wife of her dad’s boss, Wenonah Whitaker of Donie. She married Butch (Powell) in 1970 after meeting on a blind date. (Butch was named for Dr. Powell, the Centerville doctor who delivered him.) The couple lived in Buffalo for a few years but later built a house and moved to Butch’s home place in the Midway Community just off of FM 1618.

Mary Trull, also an out- Center, is the only child of Noni and Butch; and Shelby, Mary’s daughter, is their only grandchild. Shelby is a senior at Oakwood High School.

Not only does Noni cook for the Community Center she cooks for friends if need be. The Parker Cemetery Reunion is scheduled for October 11. One of her friends is no longer able to cook what she wants to take to the reunion so Noni is cooking for her.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
1 large onion
1 4 oz can diced green chilies
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 ½ cup cooked chicken
1 clove garlic chopped fine
1 tsp oregano
½ cup raw rice
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
6 cups chicken broth

Combine all ingredients in large pot. Cook until rice is done, about 25 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to your taste. Serve with cheese and chips.
Fried Okra Patties
3 cups vegetable oil for frying

1 lb okra finely chopped
1 tsp slt

¼ tsp black pepper
1 egg
½ cup self rising flour
½ cup corn meal
1 small onion, chopped finely

Enough water to moisten

Heat oil in large skillet. In large bowl mix okra, onion, salt, pepper, water and egg. Combine flour and cornmeal, stir into okra mixture. Carefully drop tablespoons of mixture into hot oil. Brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels.

Chocolate Bourbon Balls
Adults only)
1 (6 oz pkg.) semi-sweet
chocolate chips
3 tbsp corn syrup
½ cup bourbon
2 ½ cups vanilla wafer
crumbs
½ cup sifted powdered sugar
1 cup finely chopped pecans
Granulated sugar

Melt chocolate chips over hot water, add corn syrup and bourbon. In a large bowl, combine crumbs, sifted sugar and pecans. Pour chocolate mixture over crumb mixture. Mix well. Let stand 30 minutes, covered. Form into 1” balls and roll in granulated sugar. Store in air tight container 2 weeks to age.