Sugar Grove
By Paula Mitchell
During the pioneer days, cooking in a kettle was the cornerstone of meal preparation. The hearth was the primary source of heat for both warmth and food. Those kettles were versatile heavy-duty vessels used for stewing, boiling, and even baking.
There were several common types of kettles. The brass and iron kettle was a heavy vessel and a very prized possession. Sometimes the weight was up to 40 pounds and holding 15 gallons for making soups, stews, and porridges.
The Dutch Oven, or baking kettle, was a large round iron pot with a lid designed for baking. Cooks placed hot coals underneath and on top of the lid to ensure even heat for baking breads, cakes, and even meat pies.
The camp kettle was usually used by soldiers and travelers. They were smaller, and lighter in nature, often made of tin or copper, designed to be carried on one’s back.
The “one pot meal” was a staple because it allowed a fire to be maintained throughout the day. Popular dishes were a cornmeal mush that was a common daily porridge, and soups and stews. The latter was often kept perpetually on the fire, with new ingredients added daily.
A typical home diet heavily featured roasted meat, such as venison, pork, beef, and wild fowl (turkey, duck), often cooked on a spit over a hearth. Meals were highly seasonal and regional, relying on boiled dishes, stews, corn-based foods (hasty pudding, bread), and salted, smoked, or preserved meats for longevity. Pork was usually a staple, often paired with vegetables or corn.
After the kettle’s use, it was filled with water and hung over the fire until the boiling stage allowed the food to loosen. This was then scraped away with wooden spoons
The recipe for Johnny Cake follows:
1 cup cornmeal
1/2 to 1 cup milk
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup white sugar
1-1/3 cups cake flour
2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg
Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8-inch square pan. Combine cornmeal and milk. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir together the egg and milk. Cream shortening, and blend sugar. Stir flour mixture and egg mixture alternately into creamed mixture. Blend in cornmeal mixture, Bake for 40-45 minutes. Serve hot with maple syrup.
Life’s little instructions to make one’s day much better include the following:
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Give a firm handshake.
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Share one’s umbrella.
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Hug one’s kids every day.
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Make sure the tooth fairy always arrives.
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Turn off lights when leaving a room.
Lots to talk about when it comes to weather. Temperatures warmed up enough to melt the snow, thus causing the rivers to swell. On Sunday, snow squalls reigned in this neighborhood. However, other areas had snow, enough to have a 2-hour delay call for the school system. Once the warmth returns, look for the fifth season…mud!
Clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
•The first computer mouse was made from wood.
•A chef’s hat has 100 folds.
•A single strand of spaghetti is called a spaghetto.
•Baby rabbits are called kits.
•The shoe that Cinderella left behind at the ball was her left.
Sitting by the fire to keep warm is where it is best to hear the “Talk of the Grove.”
Dover Harper, the Emu has jumped fence, and made his way to where his “keeper,” Jim Rexrode, lives. His winter adventure allowed him to cross stream and hills to finally reach his destination.
The monthly meeting of the Sugar Grove Lions Club was held in the home of Tom and Paula Mitchell. Mike Funkhouser, zone chairman, and wife, Ann of Wardensville, were also in attendance. A meal of cruellers (made by Evelyn Varner), gravy (made by Cara Homan), sausage, sauerkraut, fried potatoes and sassafras tea was enjoyed by all in attendance.
Quotes for the week are as follows:
“If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it. The more things you do, the more you can do.” — Lucille Ball
“Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes.” — Sophia Loren
“The only disability in life is a bad attitude.” — Scott Hamilton
“Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.” — President Thomas Jefferson
“When you are good to others, you’re best to yourself.” — Benjamin Franklin
March birthdays include Doug Reedy and Parker Chapman, first; Leslie Bowers, Ben Puffenbarger, Bradley Wilfong and Tim Hoover, second; Myrtle Lester and Chris Lambert, third; Judy Grimm and Joy Bennett, fourth; Ruth Warner and Myrtle Mauzy, fifth; Teresa Rexrode, Tina Eye and Thelma Thompson, sixth; Myrtle Pitsenbarger and Wanda Rexrode, seventh ; Alvin Pratt, eighth; Marcella Nelson, ninth; Roger Shrewsberry, Willie Rader, Emilie Kobetic, Ann Wimer and Pam Waggy, 10th; Jeff Bowers and Carolyn Thompson, 11th; Linda Mallow, Anthony Bowers and Letha Caplinger, 14th; and Holly Crider, April Simmons, Chloe Simmons, Wanda Pitsenbarger and Krista Owens, 15th.
