For many, many years whenever February rolled around, Red River restaurateurs could count on two things: Judy Miller would call on them to find what delectable dessert (or desserts) they planned to offer to skiers and snowshoers; and John Miller would again don his Cookie Monster costume to greet eager “Just Desserts” participants.
Even after they sold Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski & Snowshoe Area to daughter Ellen and her then-husband Geoff Goins, the Millers still helped. Judy made her calls, John helped with “quality control.”
This much-loved couple died in November 2022, but “Just Desserts” will go on. John’s Cookie Monster costume — a bit bedraggled in recent years — has been retired in favor of a new update. Ellen and her sister Mary Miller will call on the restaurateurs, and eager guests will scout out the best desserts Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, noon to 2 p.m.
“Just Desserts” theme is simple: Enchanted Forest puts homemade desserts from Red River restaurants for enthusiastic individuals out on the trails and at the base area. In past years, popular concoctions, were Apple-Raisin Bread Pudding with Jack Daniels Sauce, Candy Mountain Fudge, Cinnamon Rolls, Bourbon Chocolate Pie, Wild Blueberry Pie, Key Lime Pie, Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie, Banana Pudding, Multi-layer Chocolate Buttercream Torte… and much more!
For many years now, Enchanted Forest has placed donation jars that let participants ‘vote’ with cash or coin for their favorite desserts to raise funds for the Red River Valley Education Foundation /Red River Valley Charter School. Last year’s bake off raised $206 for the Red River Valley Education Foundation.
2022 Restaurant winners:
1st – Sundance and John Hoag’s Wild Blueberry Pie
2nd – Frank’s Eat’s & Sweets’ Chantilly Cake
3rd – Old Tymer’s Café and Carolyn’s Cherry Pie
2022 Individuals/Organizations/Non-Restaurants winners
1st – RR Community House and Dianne Hughes’ Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream and Banana Pudding
2nd – Tony Howard’s Chocolate Peanut Clusters
3rd – Best Western and Courtney Elizabeth Henderson’s Blueberry Scones.
For more information, go to www.enchantedforestxc.com or call (505) 754-6112.
