Sugar Grove
By Paula Mitchell
Generations ago, most settlers in this community lived on self-contained homesteads. As time passed, they developed a diet centered on available foods that were nourishing and easily prepared. Homegrown dairy products, meats, vegetables and fruit arrived on the table, but the over worked cooks had little time to make them into fancy dishes. As a result, the foods that were prepared became known as “honest foods.”
These mountain folk have always been a versatile group of people. They had to be in order to survive. With little more than a double-bitted axe, a trusty flintlock rifle, and a great deal of determination and hard work, they learned to depend upon their own resources. There was nothing wasted, or scorned as being too humble to put to use.
These folk were brought up with the old adage, “Eat it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.” There were no turned up noses at the supper table, or short order cooks for those who didn’t like anything that was presented. From the wild greens picked early in the spring to the wild game and fish, all were learned to eat and relish.
New clothes were never bought. Garments were worn as long as they held together, and then passed on to the next in age. Mom made the girls’ dresses and shirts sewn on the old treadle sewing machine. Shoe lasts repaired shoes. Nothing went to waste. When garments became too old, buttons were clipped off, before relegated to the ragbag. There was a button box that allowed countless hours of sorting, arranging, and counting the contents.
Going through hard times made more self-reliant, and stronger people.
February has brought about the pancake suppers, along with the crueller supper where sassafras tea is enjoyed. The native tribes of the eastern United States used sassafras for various ailments. The rural doctors administered the tea to treat high blood pressure, to promote perspiration in colds, a blood purifier and spring tonic.
The recipe for sassafras candy follows:
Make a very strong tea with 2 cups of sassafras bark and 6 cups of water. It must be deep reddish-brown and full flavored.
One should have at least a quart of tea. Strain out the bark pieces, add 4 cups sugar, 1-1/4 cups of light corn syrup, and 1 tablespoon of butter. Cook to hard crack stage (300-310 degrees on candy thermometer). Pour out on a well buttered cookie sheet and crack into pieces when cooled. Enjoy!
Life’s little instructions include the following:
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Leave a sticky note with a compliment on the bathroom mirror.
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Wash one’s car.
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Speak kindly to others.
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Be polite. Use one’s manners.
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Encourage. Praise. Respect.
This has been quite the winter, almost similar to the “old time” winters. Temperatures have been steadily noted around the twenties and thirties, with the snow slowly melting. The sleet slides may take some lengthier time to melt! Sunday found the community attending worship services with rain showers commanding the day. Promises of warmer temperatures await everyone this coming week. Perhaps slowly, life will return to a normal beat.
Appearing together in the sky on Feb. 28 will be all the planets in the solar system. Should the skies be clear, this will be awesome to witness.
This week’s quotes are as follows:
“Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.” —Earl Nightingale
“Love is the beauty of the soul.” — Saint Augustine
“I have no desire to look back. I only want to look forward to the things that are still ahead of me.” — Dionne Warwick
“There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved.” — George Sand
“Love doesn’t make the world go ‘round. Love is what makes the life worthwhile.” — Franklin P. Jones
Clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
•Tuning into the last episode of “Friends” were 52.5 million people.
•A group of porcupines is called a Prickle.
•In 1911, the first Indy 500 was held.
•The world’s largest Starbucks is in Chicago.
•Of all the United States presidents, John Quincy Adams, is estimated to have had the highest IQ.
Sitting by the fireplace is the best place to hear the “Talk of the Grove.”
Finally, after two weeks not in church due to weather, the St. John Lutheran worshippers gathered and made up for lost time with worship, a potluck meal, and the “Oldiewed Game.”
The “Oldiewed Game” never disappoints as it brings lots of laughs. Thanks to the following couples for being good sports: Tom and Paula Mitchell, Kent and Jennifer Simmons, Mike and Lisa Jamison, and Bill and Angie Nelson. Brandon Mitchell served as host. and the youth group kept track of answers and the score. The winners were Kent and Jennifer Simmons. Love is patient, love is kind…kind of funny, that’s for sure!
On Friday, Ed Rader of Davis visited with Willard and Judy Rader.
Monty and Chris Woods of Michigan spent Friday evening with Evelyn Varner. Other visitors were Janet Judy, Terry Harper, Eugene Varner, Geneva Varner and Judy Costello of Verona, Virginia. Judy spent the night with her mother before returning to her home.
