11/01/2026
𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐮𝐦, 𝐲'𝐚𝐥𝐥!
The roller coaster of winter holidays is fast approaching. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year are festive times when we gather with family and friends to celebrate. And a big part of celebrating is the food. Just as a roller coaster rider in the first car can see what’s coming, those of us making the holiday feasts can benefit from looking ahead. A few new ideas can come in handy. Let’s all cram ourselves into the first car of this holiday season and shove off with our eyes wide open as we careen through the rest of 2026.
To help us prepare those big feasts with gratitude and glee, renowned chef and museum friend, 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞, 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐮𝐦 𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐍𝐨𝐯. 𝟏𝟐, 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝟐 𝐩.𝐦. She will not only instruct, but will also cook, while sharing marvelous tales and laughter. All you need to bring is a sense of humor and an appetite because at the end, we’ll get to chow down on her scrumptious concoctions.
Danna has produced three cookbooks filled with wonderfully tasting recipes that will fill your tummy and stories from her life that will make you smile and/or laugh. Danna is much more than an author, cook, and storyteller. She is a retired educator who graduated summa cm laude from Athens State University, earning a double major in biology and English along with an Outstanding Biology Major Award. She taught at Hayden High School and worked with Auburn University in youth leadership. Danna developed the Blount County Ambassador Leadership Program that is now in place in all seven of the county’s high schools. She grew up on a farm and her family, the Swanns, can trace their lineage in Blount County back to 1818, which makes them some of the earliest settlers in these parts. She still farms in Blount County with her husband, David, who is the state representative for District 34. Danna is his political assistant and constituent hostess at the Alabama State House.
Somehow, while working their cattle farm and performing her duties in Montgomery, Danna manages to produce cooking videos for YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and her page. She also has an app with her recipes, “𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝗪𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐘’𝐚𝐥𝐥,” which you can download to your phone or tablet. If you follow her page, as do over 180 thousand folks, many days you’ll be prompted to watch her whip up something live. The day this piece was written, Danna was serving corn chowder and grilled cheese for lunch. Normally, writing does not induce hunger but doing so while watching and listening to her made the stomach growl. Live videos are her favorite way to share her cooking because she can interact with viewers as they comment. And the mistakes that sometimes happen in the kitchen? She says they “are just part of it. We just have fun with it.” Watching her videos, it’s easy to see she does.
Danna will have cookbooks for sale, including her latest, 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘊𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘋𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘢, 𝘠’𝘢𝘭𝘭? Not only are they good to have at home, but they make excellent holiday gifts.
Make plans to join us at the museum for this very special event. You might pick up some new ideas on how to entertain your holiday guests. You might also make new friends, and you’re sure to hear some great stories from Danna’s life while you’re enjoying some tasty treats.
The museum is located at 204 2nd Ave E, in the old Oneonta post office next door to the courthouse. The event is free to attend, and everyone is invited, even if you don’t do the cooking at home. RSVP is not required; however, doing so will give the museum an idea how many place settings to plan for. To RSVP or for any questions call 205-973-0465.
