Michelle is mother Cindy Scovill’s alter ego.
When Cindy talks, Michelle is so in tune she can complete her thoughts.
“She’s my right-hand girl,” Cindy says, especially in the kitchen.
CINDY, 61, seldom has been without employment since she graduated from Humboldt High in 1977.
Five years later she completed emergency medical technician certification at Iola Fire Department, and immediately became a volunteer on Humboldt’s ambulance. Next came 9½ years with ambulance crews at the hospital in Chanute.
With the birth of two daughters, Michelle and Sherryl, a fourth-grade teacher in Ottawa, her work-a-day life revolved about the girls and home chores until they were in school.
Since then much of what occupies Cindy has to do with cooking.
First, she and John — they were married Dec. 15, 1990, after being introduced by a mutual friend at a vacation Bible school program — ran a Humboldt restaurant for several years.
Now, she arrives at Humboldt’s senior center at 9 a.m. each weekday to enliven conversation for a small crowd of coffee drinkers. She also is on hand to oversee congregate meals and dispatch those who ferry Meals on Wheels.
For the Scovills, feeding the hungry goes much further.
For the past 14 Christmases, they have provided a community dinner at the senior citizens center for all-comers. Turkey, ham, and all that goes with the traditional meal is prepared.
Michelle, at 28 a wizard with desserts, prepares that portion, as she does twice a month for dine-in Lions Club meetings.
The Scovills, including Michelle, are Lions.
Three or so times a year, the Scovills are front and center for Otterbein United Methodist Church’s “Every Tuesday” feed in Chanute.
“Anyone who is hungry is encouraged to come,” Cindy said. Churches and organizations in Chanute take turns putting on the weekly event, with donations carrying over to the next week to help with expenses. Between 50 and 75 partake.
Cindy may have originated one casserole.
“For years cheesy potatoes were known as funeral potatoes,” she noted. “One day I thought why not add ham or chicken,” which makes the dish nearly a meal in itself.
