Sugar Grove
By Paula Mitchell
Here is an interesting old-time fruit with very interesting flavors. What has happened to all the Appalachian pawpaw trees? In days past, they were found everywhere — along streams, under bluffs, and on wooded slopes. The pawpaw has been described as custard pie without a crust; while others have linked their taste to a combination pear, banana, and sweet potato. In the day, the pawpaws were used to make jellies, pies, puddings, and brandy.
Their size is comparable to that of a cucumber. It is the largest in size of native North America fruits. It has been said that it was the pawpaw that kept Lewis and Clark alive when returning from their trailblazing exploration across western America.
Pawpaw pudding is a fairly easy dish to prepare.
1 cup pawpaw pulp
1-1/4 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup melted butter
1 teaspoon baking soda
2-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Strain out the pawpaw pulp. Mix the ingredients and bake in a greased pan for approximately 1 hour or until firm.
As a youngster, the writer sang the song “Pawpaw Patch.” Perhaps some of her readers also did this.
“Where, oh where, oh where is little Sally?
Where, oh where, oh where is little Sally?
Where, oh where, oh where is little Sally?
Way down yonder in the pawpaw patch.
Pickin up pawpaws, putn’em in her pocket,
Pickin up pawpaws, putn’em in her pocket,
Pickin up pawpaws, putn’em in her pocket,
Way down yonder in the pawpaw patch.”
Perhaps the local farmer’s market carries the pawpaws for all to taste and enjoy!
Life’s little instructions include the following:
- A person’s loved ones will not be around forever. Cherish them.
- Enjoy family traditions.
- Return shopping carts.
- Avoid junk food.
- Avoid clutter.
Thursday’s rain was relentless, bringing in about 1.1 inches. There were areas that received more. The amounts of falling moisture seems to follow the patterns of the mountainous terrain. It was most welcomely received with jubilance. Everyone in the community was eager for a dapple of rain, and it finally came! A lot more will be needed to help bring on the hayfields, pastures, and the gardens. Temperatures are inching up in the 90s. The order of the day is hot and steamy!
This week’s quotes are as follows:
“I no longer listen to what people say, I just watch what they do. Behavior never lies.” — Winston Churchill
“Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.” — Robin Williams
“Summer is the annual permission slip to be lazy. To do nothing and have it count for something.” — Regina Brett
“The only thing of importance, when we depart, will be the traces of love we have left behind.” — Albert Schweitzer
“Life without love is like a tree without blossoms or fruit.” — Khalil Gibran
Sitting inside and watching it rain is where most Sugar Grovers are when it is time to hear the “Talk of The Grove.”
Nashland celebrated Independence Day with Rhonda and Helen Nash’s return home after Helen’s successful heart procedure at Rockingham Memorial Hospital. They spent the weekend resting and recovering.
The five point churches within the Mountain Lutheran Church parish installed their pastors, Rev. Paul Shafer and Rev. Angela Lambert, Sunday with a worship service followed by a pot luck and fellowship at Faith Lutheran Church in Franklin.
Good to hear the news that Virgil Homan, Jr. is enjoying his new home at Taylor Healthcare Center, Room B4B, #2 Hospital Plaza, Grafton, WV 26354. The writer knows that “Junior” would appreciate cards from his family and friends.
On Tuesday, Phil Downs attended his cousin, Richard Cockrell’s, funeral at Warrenton, Virginia.
Clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
- A tablespoon of honey is enough to keep a person alive for 24 hours.
- The Great Barrier Reef is the longest coral reef in the world.
- The United Kingdom is famous for its castles, with more than 1,500 scattered throughout the country.
- A newborn kangaroo is about the size of a lima bean.
- It is estimated there are about 100 million lake trout in Lake Superior.
The remainder of the July birthdays are as follows: Sharon Scott, 16th; Kenny Wilfong, 17th; Lucas Kiser, 19th; Jeffrey Mitchell and Vicky Simmons, 20th; Ann Marie Weese, 21st; Jesse C. Propst, Johnny Thompson and Lauren Williams, 22nd; Barbara Parker and Brenda Cook, 24th; Kevin Rexrode and Judy Patch, 25th; Shirley Wimer, Wilma P. Rexrode and Hannah Rexrode, 26th; Thelma Fleisher, 28th; Hunter McConnell and Kent Gardiner, 29th; 30…Meghan Keller, Michael Fisher and Delbert Rexrode, Jr., 30th; and Colby Simmons and Don Thomas, 31st.
Concerns for this week are as follows: Bob Adamson, John Ashley, Roger Ashley, Mercedes Aumann, Richard Bennett, “Bo” Boggs, Marie Cole, Steve Conrad, Christian Dasher, Benny Evick, Isaac Eye, Linda Eye, Marie Eye, Mary Eye, the Allison Fleming family, Carl Gant, David Gillespie, Lola Graham, Patsy Green, JC Hammer, the Gary Harman family, Marlene Harman, Marvin Hartman, Steve and Armanda Heavner, Grace Hedrick, Jim Hiner, Evan Hise, Tim Hively, Gary Harman, Alma Harper, Edsel and May Ann Hogan, Virgil Homan, Jr., Adalbert Hoover, Keith Hoover, Myrtle Hoover, Debbie and Enos Horst, the Lois Huffman family, Lisa and Mike Jamison, Jessica Janney, Alice Johnson, Richard Judy, Marsha Keller, Kim Kline, Ginger Knight, Tracie Knight, Melissa Lambert, Robert Lambert, Ronnie Lambert, Rex Landis, Roger and Skip Mallow, Yvonne Marsh, Ed May, Gary McDonald, Neil McLaughlin, Rose Miller, Bruce Minor, Tom Mitchell, Barbara Moats, Gloria Moats, John Morford, Bill Mullenax, Helen Nash, Aaron Nelson, Ruth Nelson, Cheryl Paine, Walt Pitsenbarger, Wanda Pitsenbarger, Andy Pond, Janice Propst, Eldon “Butch” Puffenbarger, Alda Propst, Janis Propst, Mike Propst, Sheldon Propst, Stanley Propst, Tom Rader, Brandon Reel, Charles Rexrode, Jason Rexrode, Linda Fay Rexrode, Pam Rexrode, Dennis Riggleman, Mike Roberts, Donna Ruddle, Jenny Ruddle, Brittany Shriver, Annie Simmons, Greg Simmons, Phyllis Simmons, Erin Simmons, Eva Simmons, Judy Simmons, Nelson Simmons, Robbie Sites, Mike Skiles, Tina Stuben, Steve Stump, Elizabeth Terry, Rosa Tichenor, Linda and Larry Vandevander, Sandra Vandevander, Raymond Varner, Amy Vaus, Estelle Wagner, Rene White, Judy Williams, Ann and Ed Wimer, Margaret Wimer, the people of Ukraine, Israel, Pakistan, and the people affected by natural disasters.
