Easter egg hunts over the years: A look back at seven decades of Nashville fun
Children wait behind a starting line, scanning the grounds for hidden treasures. Once given the signal, some sprint to collect troves of hard-boiled or plastic eggs, while others take their time to gently fill their baskets.
Easter egg hunts date back to Germany and the 16th century, according to the English Heritage, a charity that cares for historic sites across England. From there, the tradition spread to England.
'It was practice initially in the royal court,' said Andrew Hann, the head of the Historians' Team on the English Heritage podcast. 'We know, for instance, that Queen Victoria enjoyed egg hunts as a child at Kensington Palace. … There's one reference from Queen Victoria's diary in 1833 where she says, 'Mama did some pretty painted and ornamented eggs and we look for them.'
The playful activity made its way to America. And while German immigrants brought Easter egg hunts to Pennsylvania in the 18th century, the first official White House Easter Egg Roll took place in 1878 under President Rutherford B. Hayes' administration.
Photographer Gerald Holly of The Tennessean took photos in 1961, capturing 500 hundred children in black-and-white snaps searching the high grasses of the Colemere Club.
The next three decades brought hunts to Belle Meade Country Club, Howard High School and Boyd Park. Some of the first photographs of color came in the 1990s. A cute photo by Larry McCormack shows a 5-year-old grabbing the tail of the Easter Bunny.
The eggs-ellent tradition continues through today at several locations including the Nashville Zoo, Tennessee Central Railway Museum, and Bellevue Neighborhood Market.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: See the photos of seven decades of Easter egg hunts in Nashville
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Time Business News
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Ingredients: What Makes Mannacote Magical Classic mannacote uses simple yet flavorful ingredients: Pasta tubes , either dried manicotti shells or fresh crepes , either dried manicotti shells or fresh crepes Cheese filling : ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, with eggs and herbs like basil or parsley : ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, with eggs and herbs like basil or parsley Sauce : hearty marinara or béchamel : hearty marinara or béchamel Optional additions: spinach, mushrooms, ground meat, sausage (meatlovers version), or vegetables for meatless versions Variations also include gluten-free or vegan adaptations by substituting pasta tubes or using dairy-free cheeses. 5. How to Make Mannacote: Step-by-Step Guide Here's a simple, reliable method to make mannacote at home: Boil pasta tubes in salted water until tender. Drain and cool briefly. Prepare the filling: mix ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, one egg, herbs (e.g., garlic, basil), salt, and pepper. Add optional additions like spinach or meat. Fill the tubes using a spoon or piping bag—easy and neat. Assemble: spread sauce on the bottom of a baking dish, place filled tubes side by side, and cover with more sauce and cheese. Bake: cover with foil and bake at 350 °F (190 °C) for ~30 minutes; then uncover and bake another 10–15 minutes until bubbly. Rest and serve: let it rest ~10 minutes before slicing to let flavors settle. 6. Variations & Serving Suggestions Vegetarian : fill with mushrooms, spinach, or seasonal vegetables. : fill with mushrooms, spinach, or seasonal vegetables. Meatlovers : blend ground beef or sausage into the cheese mix for a heartier dish. : blend ground beef or sausage into the cheese mix for a heartier dish. Gluten-free / Vegan: use appropriate substitute ingredients to accommodate dietary needs. Serve with garlic bread , Caesar or green salad , or roasted vegetables . , , or . Pair with red wines like Chianti, Merlot, or Sangiovese for a classic Italian-American flavor match. 7. Why You'll Love Mannacote Comfort Food at Its Best : rich, cheesy, and satisfying. : rich, cheesy, and satisfying. Family-Friendly and Nostalgic : reminds many of home and holidays. : reminds many of home and holidays. Cost-Effective & Flexible : easy to adapt based on ingredients and taste. : easy to adapt based on ingredients and taste. Make-Ahead Ready: assemble in advance or freeze for busy nights. 8. Tips for Perfect Mannacote Don't overcook pasta before baking—it may fall apart. before baking—it may fall apart. Use generous sauce —too little causes dryness. —too little causes dryness. Rest before serving to help the dish settle. to help the dish settle. Involve the family—kids and elders can share in the joy of cooking together. 9. 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No—it's simply a regional or familial variation in pronunciation for the same stuffed pasta dish. 2. Where does the name Mannacote come from? It likely arose from how families heard or said 'manicotti' over generations—especially in Italian-American homes. 3. Can I freeze Mannacote? Yes—assemble it, then freeze before baking. Bake directly from frozen, with extra time added, for an easy meal later. 4. Is there a vegetarian or gluten-free version? Absolutely. Swap meats for vegetables or plant-based cheese, and use gluten-free pasta tubes to suit your needs. 5. What dishes pair well with Mannacote? Garlic bread, Caesar or leafy salads, roasted veggies, and medium-bodied red wines like Chianti make excellent companions. TIME BUSINESS NEWS


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