“Been here all my life. That’s 74 years, and 53 of them I have been in this house in what was known as Maryus but is now Achilles.” Helen Jenkins is mighty proud of her Guinea heritage and rightfully so.

A typical buffet table when Helen Jenkins is hostess to a special family gathering.

“I learned to cook by watching my mama. There were five of us girls in the family. My mama liked to do her own thing so I never cooked, just watched until I was married at 18, and then started cooking.” Helen must have watched carefully. She became a great cook and maintains her standing.

“Don’t cook as much now as I once did when my children were in the house.” These children are Caroline West Frizzello who was born on Helen’s birthday, and Frank West Jr., and also, “I raised Mrs. Jenkins’ granddaughter for 45 years. My family is close by except for Caroline who lives in California. The young girl I consider my granddaughter, Harmony, who is a crab potter, comes by most every day.”

Helen’s...