Teen center spices it up with culinary program

SANDPOINT — Since the Sandpoint Teen Center’s former facility sold last July, the group has been searching for a new place to call home.

In the meantime, the center has found success in continuing its mission of serving local youth, operating out of the Huckleberry Lanes Bowling Alley.

“Right now it’s actually going pretty well, because it has been attracting more high school students,” said Joan Avery, teen center director.

The kids who are signed up through the teen center can bowl and play pool for free at the bowling alley, she said, so that has helped grow enrollment in the program. Avery said the teen center is up to an average of about 20 kids a day. The teen center provides kids with a meal after school, so some stop by to eat and leave, but there is around 10 who stay on a regular basis.

“They are really into playing cards lately,” she said.

The teens can also play board games and get help with homework among other activities — depending on the day. Huckleberry Lanes owner John Brekke is giving free bowling lessons to the kids on Wednesdays as well, and Avery said the teen center will be working with Litehouse YMCA on some programs, such as swimming and other activities.

The teen center recently launched another round of its popular culinary program, which teaches basic food preparation and cooking skills. The culinary program teaches teens the skills to make simple and healthy meals for themselves, their family and friends. Each class culminates in a tasty meal as well.

“The cooking program has been a really big success,” Avery said. “They (the kids) are really excited about cooking.”

The program is held every Wednesday and Avery said there is room in the culinary program for two teens at a time, so teens are encouraged to sign up during the teen center’s regular hours at the bowling alley. They will be notified of openings in the class. Those who attend six classes and take a test will have the opportunity to get their food handlers license. The Wednesday classes will continue through the end of the school year to give students time to attend some classes.

The program is taught by international chef Kristi Kersey. Originally from Estonia, Kersey has worked in Finland and Greece, as well as other European countries, Avery said, so she introduces new dishes to the kids. Last week, for example, Kersey taught the kids to make Swedish meatball soup and a vegetable puree soup. This week, they made a Caesar salad, and Kersey taught them to make two different kinds of dressing.

“We are loving this,” Avery said. “... I just like the interaction with the kids — they are fun.”

The culinary program has two class times each Wednesday, from 1:30-3:30 p.m., and 3:30-5:30 p.m., and is held in the Church of God across the street from the bowling alley. The church is letting the group use the kitchen for free as well, Avery said.

The mission of the teen center is to provide a safe, positive, enriching environment where Sandpoint teens are able to socialize and participate in both supervised and self-directed activities, as well as, have the opportunity to contribute to the community.

The teen center and its culinary program are supported by grants from the Innovia Foundation, Equinox Foundation and the Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation. It is also supported by local donors who help teen center officials serve teens every day after school with a healthy snack, fun games, homework help and building positive relationships between adults and teens.

The teen center is accepting donations to keep the culinary program and other activities available to the teens, and is still looking for a permanent home as well.

Hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 2:30-5:30 p.m. and on Wednesday from 1:30-5:30 p.m. at Huckleberry Lanes, 120 South Division Ave.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.