
The Nebraska Women in Agriculture program and Annie’s Project have announced The Chicken Sisters as the first-quarter selection for their book club, which will conclude with a virtual discussion at 1 p.m. CST on March 10.
The Chicken Sisters takes place in Merinac, Kansas, where Chicken Mimi’s and Chicken Frannie’s have spent a century competing to serve the best fried chicken in the state. The legendary feud between their respective owners, the Moores and the Paciellos, has lasted just as long.
No one feels the impact more than 35-year-old widow Amanda Moore, who grew up working for her mother at Mimi’s before scandalously marrying Frank Paciello and switching sides to work at Frannie’s. Tired of being caught in the middle, Amanda sends an SOS to Food Wars, a reality-TV restaurant competition that promises $100,000 to the winner. But in doing so, she launches both families out of the frying pan and into the fire.
The book club discussion will be led by rural behavioral health counselor and consultant Monica McConkey. In 2016, McConkey created Eyes on the Horizon Consulting to increase access to mental health services in rural, underserved areas and remove the stigma often attached to seeking care. She travels the country, both virtually and in person, speaking on mental wellness, resilience, rural mental health, and the unique aspects of farm and ranch stress.
Registration is free and available on the Nebraska Women in Agriculture website. The first 23 registrants will receive a complimentary copy of the book.