Upper crust

Though Jan. 23 is National Pie Day, Historic Inns of Rockland will celebrate throughout the month of January. Featured chefs in this year’s Pies on Parade Tour will feature tastings, share recipes and baking demonstrations from 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 14 and 21. Among the highlights are traditional pies such as cherry, apple and berry, as well as nontraditional treats such as Raspberry Cheese Pie, Kiwi Berry Tart, or Sun-Dried Tomato and Goat Cheese Breakfast Pie. Tickets (which will sell out) cost $20 for adults and $10 for children 10 and under. Proceeds will benefit the Area Interfaith Outreach Food Pantry of Rockland. For information, call 877-ROC-INNS (877-762-4667). Weekend getaway packages are available.

Luscious and lucky

Looking for luck in 2007? Hallmark Magazine offers a few tasty ideas from around the world: In Holland, doughnuts are eaten to ensure good fortune, while in Japan, the dish is Soba noodles. Germans snack on marzipan pigs, Italians eat sausage, and Spaniards nibble 12 grapes – one at each stroke of the clock at midnight. Though the chance for that has passed, it’s not too late to do what Sicilians do: eat lasagna. In Norway, rice pudding is the dish of choice, and a lucky almond is hidden inside, and in Greece, a sweet celebration includes St. Basil’s cake with a coin baked inside.

Sow your oats

Here’s a healthy resolution: Eat more oats. Since January is Oatmeal Month, Quaker has published a free recipe brochure to make it easy. “Awesome Oats,” which includes such treats as Almond Streusel Baked Pears and Mu Shoo Meatball Wraps, is available by sending your name and complete mailing address by e-mail to oatoffer@aol.com, or by regular mail to: Awesome Oats, P.O. Box 487, Chicago, IL 60690-0487.

Tidbits is hungry for news about local food products and events. Send your Tidbits by mail to: Bangor Daily News, attn: Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor ME 04402-1329; by fax to 941-9476; or by e-mail to kandresen@bangordailynews.net.