Students learn how to make a cake during a workshop offered by the Franklin County extension office. | Nathan Strickland/FCT

Tuesday marked the second year in a row the Franklin County branch of the Alabama Cooperative Extension system was able to offer an alternative for children to learn, instead of being at home for summer vacation.

Children and some adults crowded into the Franklin County Courthouse basement to learn the basics on how to decorate cakes.

Franklin County Extension Agent Coordinator Katrina Cole said this type of workshop gets kids off the couch and back in a classroom setting to continue learning life skills.

Certified 4-H volunteer Cindy Carter served as the expert on decorating cakes and shared some helpful tips to the participants.

Carter instructed the class last year and believes it is well worth her time.

“I enjoy being around kids and I honestly just do it for their benefit,” she said. “I’ve served as a teacher’s aid and bus driver for 20 years. Anything I can do to help them grow, I will be glad to help.”

Carter’s sister Kathy Borden, who serves as the 4-H Agent Assistant with the extension office, said it is wonderful to have people to volunteer and put on workshops such as this.

“She (Carter) drive’s the bus and does this for nothing,” Borden said. 

Makayla Franks, 12, Diana Lopez, 13 and Cristal Castillo said they really enjoyed the cake decorating workshop and would like to attend others like it.

“I was here last year and liked it so I really wanted to come again this time,” Franks said. “I like to bake stuff and make things that taste good so I can look at it and be like ‘I made that.’”

Lopez said she feels grown up because she gets to make things and Castillo believes the best part about decorating cakes is the variety of ways icing can be used on a cake.

Cole said most of the workshops throughout the summer will provide participants with skills used around the house.

Certified 4-H volunteer Cindy Carter teaches children the art of cake decorating without pay. | Nathan Strickland/FCT

“It is really all about teaching the kids life skills that they can use in every day life,” she said. “The workshops went really well last year and I am happy that we were able to continue with our workshops this year.”

As far as the decorating cakes workshop goes, Cole said even though the workshop held Tuesday was for younger kids, a lot of adults have asked about a class regarding the same thing.

“We have had several adults aquire about the cake decorating class and we hope to maybe establish one of those next year for that age group,” Cole said. “I think it would be a good idea to offer the class to adults because we all need money and who knows, these classes could put them into a position where they could possibly make a little cash on the side baking and decorating cakes for people.”

The Franklin County Extension office will be offering several workshops over the summer including:

• Lawn Care workshop June 11

• Canning workshop June 14

• Cooking with Herbs workshop June 24

• 4-H Shotgun Club Trap Shoot workshop June 28

• 4-H Cooking School workshop July 13

For more information on these workshops contact The Franklin County Extension Office at 256-332-8880