Monthly Archives: November 2015

More than a date

There is more to researching your ancestors than just knowing their birth, marriage and death dates. I am always curious if they traveled anywhere or received visitors and relatives from out of town. I want to know if they were involved in a scandal and what the details might be. How did they celebrate their anniversaries and birthdays? Did they ever speak out at a town meeting or were they involved in political or civic affairs? For all of this information and more it is necessary to turn to local newspapers. Many newspapers have been digitized and are full-text searchable.

Bridgeport, Darien, Fairfield, Greenwich, Hartford, Manchester, Middletown, Naugatuck, New Haven, Norwalk, and Westport have searchable newspaper databases. Norwich and New London are very fortunate to have two of the oldest newspapers in the state, but sadly neither paper feels that digitization of its earliest issues is important. Neither do the local libraries who feel that having the early issues on microfilm and microfiche is good enough. (Some of the Norwich Bulletin from 1909-1922 were digitized by a CT State Library project.)

How fortunate are those communities to be able to learn not just about who celebrated a birthday or anniversary but who may have attended the gathering, what they wore, an anecdote or two and perhaps an accompanying photograph or two.

Things have changed over the years from when newspapers contained long detailed accounts of engagements, obituaries, visitors to the community, notices of illness and recovery, births and even military service.

Here are a few places to find newspapers on line. Don’t be hesitant to check out the article if the dates are slightly off. It was not unusual for papers to share information but it took time or the paper might not have been consistent in its publishing dates. Look for details and learn to see your ancestors as individuals and not just dates.

chroniclingamerica.loc.gov

GenealogyBank.com/Newspapers

www.library.illinois.edu/hpnl/newspapers/historical.php icon.crl.edu/digitization.php

cslib.cdmhost.com/cdm/landingpage/collection/p15019coll9

https://sites.google.com/site/onlinenewspapersite/Home/usa/ct

www.newspapers.com/place-connecticut

libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/newspapers

newspaperarchive.com/us/connecticut

 

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View my past columns at http://www.norwichbulletin.com/section/blogs01?taxid=1172

Cleveland Family Parsnip Fritters

I just saw this recipe in a Washington Post article about the various favorite foods of celebration brought to the White House by various Presidents.   Parsnips are a favorite of mine to sneak into soups and potatoes for added sweetness and can easily imagine them in a fritter. President Cleveland had grandparents from Norwich, CT although he lived his life in Albany, NY.

I can’t help but wonder if this recipe was not from his personal chef who accompanied Cleveland to the White House but from his Grandma who cooked the plain and simple food he loved.   So whether that is true or not, I am going to start the rumor that this is an old Norwich, CT favorite of the Cleveland family while in Norwich, CT.

From a written description in 1887 (the fritters) “resemble very nearly the taste of the salsify or oyster plant.”  The serving size is for fourteen so feel free to cut it back to an amount you are comfortable with.  Washington Post chefs added the nutmeg for extra flavor so that is up to you.  I did not use oil or butter as suggested, I used olive oil spray on the fry pan and had a good result. Fritters are always a good way to use up and disguise over cooked and soft veggies.

Grover Cleveland Parsnip Fritters.

  • 16 ounces parsnips, peeled, trimmed and cut into 2-inch lengths, thick rounds cut in half lengthwise
  • Salt
  • 2 teaspoons flour
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • A couple pinches of freshly grated nutmeg (see headnote)
  • 2 tablespoons lard, turkey fat (from pan drippings) or unsalted butter , or more as needed
DIRECTIONS

Boil parsnips in lightly salted water until tender (about 8 minutes) and then drain thoroughly.

Mash drained and cooked parsnips in a large mixing bowl. Discard any sections that are tough and woody. The yield is about 2 cups.

Stir in the flour, egg, salt to taste and the nutmeg, if using, and combine well.

Line a large plate with several layers of paper towels.

Add the oil to a large frying pan and place on medium heat. When the oil is hot, add  one spoonful of parsnip mixture at a time, pressing down on it to form a round patty about 2 inches in diameter. Work in batches so as not to crowd the pan. Cook until the patties are golden brown, about 2 minutes, then turn them over and cook until golden brown on the second side, about 2 minutes.

Transfer the cooked fritters to the paper towels to drain. Repeat to fry all of the batter, adding oil as needed. Serve the fritters warm. I kept them on a cookie sheet in a warm oven until I was ready to serve.

By the way, Grover Cleveland’s first term was 1885-1889.

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View my past columns at http://www.norwichbulletin.com/section/blogs01?taxid=1172

Thank you Farmers and Gardeners

On Thanksgiving there is always  much to be thankful for. So I am taking the opportunity to thank all of the farmers and gardeners that have kept food on our tables around the world. It wasn’t always, easy and it is not always easy now.

The Pilgrims were serious gardeners because if their crops failed the fear was very real that they would starve. How would they know which plants were safe to eat in this strange place of North America?

The Pilgrims created garden plots 12 feet long and four feet wide outside their homes and also created and tended communal plots on the edges of their settlements. Norwich is very blessed to have a number of community gardens in addition to some wonderfully fertile soil for private gardens. Sign up early for your community garden plot as you meet the most wonderful people there.

Don’t forget to build your compost pile and to turn it over on a regular basis for super rich soil. You can omit the dead fish. By the way according to the December 30, 1871 the Norwich Bulletin thinks the chief advantage of roasting chestnuts is the rich and gamey flavor it gives the worm.

The Pilgrims planted some familiar crops such as peas and some that I have no experience with. Have you ever tasted skirrets? How about scorzonera? Were they good? Did you like them?  Root vegetables were a favorite as they could stay in the ground until they were needed. Unless, you will have to wait for the snow to melt to get back to the ground.  Dried vegetables became a favorite during long voyages, long explorations and longer winters.

Using directions mostly from Europe John Gerard published The Herball, or Generall Historie of Plantes 1597 for medicines and remedies for rashes, fevers and the common cold. Witch-hazel is one of Americas oldest known herbal remedies and Connecticut is home to the largest bottler in the world.  Much medical research is being conducted on the old home remedies and plants for new and improved treatments of our modern ills and maladies.

Without roto-tillers, electricity or gasoline the Pilgrims took care of all of their tools by hand and made improvements whenever the weather allowed. Sharpen and oil your tools over the winter too.

My gratitude to all who have made my bountiful table possible and to all a happy Thanksgiving!

Email comments on this blog to berylfishbone@yahoo.com

View my past columns at http://www.norwichbulletin.com/section/blogs01?taxid=1172

Conservation Opportunities and Challenges

Yes I am going to bring it up again. Norwich, CT can be a real leader in plant conservation in Connecticut with very little effort.  We, as a city have an amazing amount of green spaces in our neighborhoods with our parks, fields, meadows and greens and in the center of our city we have Mohegan Park.

I know that there are some very good reasons that none of the garden groups or the master gardeners or the school ecology classes, or groups have speakers or tours in Norwich CT although I have yet to hear one. It is truly time to change that. One of my delusions was that Chelsea Gardens would be a driving force to bring ecological education to the forefront. That in order to build their “world renown school and botanical garden” they would want to be a demonstrated leader in working with the community and expanding and utilizing what we have to build a bigger and brighter future of which their school and garden would become a shining gem.

I thought the Master Gardeners would be another source of education but they have limited resources and skills.  Our schools do not have adults in the community willing and able to take the time to demonstrate how to best care for our environment.

If you have an interest in our environment talk amongst your friends, family and neighbors. Ask some organization you are a member of to sponsor the speakers on environmental topics and make certain that the announcements of your program are in as many papers as you can think of, discussed on the radio and announced on the local television news local events.  Call me and I will help you if that seems a bit daunting.

This was a talk given in Providence RI sponsored by the Rhode Island Wild Plant Society and there is no reason it could not be given here too with emphasis on habits and plants of Connecticut, with consideration to factors fostering diversity and the primary ecological and man-made threats to both rare and common species. Sorry Chelsea Gardens but I am more concerned about local native plants than I am about seeing another botanical garden of foreign plants.

The Rhode Island discussion was about her regional report, “State of the Plants of New England.” and was led by Elizabeth Farnsworth, a biologist, educator, scientific illustrator and Senior Research Ecologist with New England Wild Flower Society.

Being a leader is more than announcing to one and all that you are a leader, being a leader is demonstrating leadership. Come on Norwich! I know you can do it!

Email comments on this blog to berylfishbone@yahoo.com

View my past columns at http://www.norwichbulletin.com/section/blogs01?taxid=1172

Cemetery Photography

Amy Johnson Crow is an amazing genealogist who is kind enough to share pointers and tips with the rest of us who just dabble into cemetery sciences.

In a recent article Crow went into detail about the five cemetery photos that should be taken and preserved with the family history and why they will be helpful to you and to future generations.

  1. The Cemetery Sign so later you will know which cemetery you were visiting.
  2. The Entire Tombstone – front, back, sides, and even the top. This can also be a wonderful help in case of natural decay or vandalism.
  3. Take close-ups of the details. For worn tombstones its suggested to take several shots from different angles to help in the reading of them later.
  4. Take a few wide shots that include the neighboring stones or other landmarks to help you or someone else locate the stone. Remember not everyone has their geo-tagging turned on or may have the cell-phone coverage that you do.
  5. The neighbors. Ancestors may be buried near each other. The dates of the deaths may be a clue of an epidemic. Knowing the neighbors can be helpful to learn the rest of the story.
  6. Get in the habit of taking lots of photos at the cemetery. But, taking these basic five photos will prevent the great frustration of identifying them later.

Taking and using the digital photos will also make it much easier to share with other members of your family or group and will also allow you to examine them in greater detail than ever before.

Please remember to always be respectful of others and the property as you take your photos and share them with others.

Email comments on this blog to berylfishbone@yahoo.com

View my past columns at http://www.norwichbulletin.com/section/blogs01?taxid=1172

National Recycling Day 2015

Lately I have been feeling as if I am nothing but a plastic tube. On one end I have a giant funnel gathering ideas and programs to do the most unexpected things, from the most unexpected places, and in the most unexpected way.

I just learned  that November 15th is National Recycling Day 2015. Some places  join forces to celebrate the day with an event. Near us the Blackstone Heritage corridor and the Woonsocket Materials Recycling Facility are having an event on November 14th from 10 am-2pm .

There is going to be free recycling of the following items: Electronics, Styrofoam, propane tanks, metals, books, clothes, shoes, rigid plastic, bottles, cans, paper and cardboard. Attendees are encouraged to bring gently used coats and sleeping bags to benefit WHAM (Woonsocket Homeless Awareness Movement). There will also be free litter pickers (while supplies last). Plus, touch-a-truck with Waste Management and Department of Public Works, and meet Max Man from Rhode Island Resource Recovery. All Woonsocket residents can enter to win a free compost bin. Info: Visit blackstoneherritagecorridor.org.

Part of marketing Norwich to attract new residents and businesses is to have lots of programs that generate interest in the community and the area. Efficient programs do not have to cost lots of dollars but they use volunteers and may require one or more organization to work together.

I think that such a day could be organized easily in Norwich. Maybe not as fancy and with as many free gifts. I am not certain what litter pickers are or who Max Man is but certainly we have the resources and imagination to come up with someone or something and I know that a Waste Management touch a truck can be organized for a touch a truck. But I guess my question has become is anyone interested in a program like this? Please look at http://americarecyclesday.org and then lets talk about what we already have in place and what we can plan for next year.

Email comments on this blog to berylfishbone@yahoo.com

View my past columns at http://www.norwichbulletin.com/section/blogs01?taxid=1172

Mini-bar Fundraiser

 Pooh. It’s the fundraising time of the year. Everyone is raising money for some worthwhile cause or another but everyone is having the same types of fundraisers. BORING!

I just read about this class and thought what a new and novel fundraiser it could be. Instead of another cooking class, wine tasting, or party for the children who will now have toys but no home to keep them in how about a class for travelers on how to mix a better mini-bar cocktail?

Yup. A class dedicated to the hotel mini-bar. You know the one. It sits quietly in the corner daring you to use a mini-bottle of whiskey, beer, soda or candy bar. In the article I read in Tasting Table I learned  that the mini-bar was invented in the 1960’s by Siegas, a German Company and was soon a feature of the top luxury hotels around the world self-serving their guests alcohol and snacks 24/7.

Sorry. I digress. The fundraiser I envision would be held in a hotel and would be for locals and hotel guests. (Yes. People staying in hotels sometimes look for something to do for a couple of hours in the evening and don’t mind spending money to do it.) The class would be on some creative ways to make the available ingredients in the mini-bar work to your advantage.  In the article, Natasha David of the NYC bar Notecap gave a few tips I’ll share with you on how to make a better hotel-room cocktail and the most valuable and wanted travel partner in your office.

Indulge and take full advantage of room service. Order olives from room service and mix the olive brine with a mini of vodka to make a dirty martini.

Discover beer cocktails. Salt the rim of a glass and then combine a bottle of beer with a can of tomato juice and enjoy a michelada. To dress it up order lime wedges and hot sauce from room service or order extra at a meal and bring a plastic snack bag to take them back to your room. Extra points if you can snag some hot sauce.

Prefer wine? There is usually at least one bottle/glass in the minibar but to change it up, add a splash of seltzer or sparkling water and perhaps a drop or two of champagne.  Or maybe entertain with a Sangria. Make a simple syrup with a packet of sugar and a bit of heated water and orange juice, cranberry juice and wine.  Ask room service for an orange or grab one from the breakfast bar for your “snack” later.

Talk to the hotel and ask what are the most popular items in their minibars. Maybe they would give a discount to their guests that participate in the fundraiser? Maybe they would like their bartender to be the instructor? Just a thought for something a little different.

Email comments on this blog to berylfishbone@yahoo.com

View my past columns at http://www.norwichbulletin.com/section/blogs01?taxid=1172

Predicting with Persimmons

persimmon 2015With grateful thanks to Walter Fleming for knowing where to find two locally grown persimmons and supplying them to me, I can submit to you my personal findings on using persimmons to predict winter weather.

Ripe persimmons are soft,  fleshy and slimy on the inside. The seeds are large, flat and hard. I would dearly love to learn who and why someone ever thought to cut the seed in half in the first place. Cutting the persimmon and removing the seeds is no big deal. Keeping  ahold of the slimily covered seed is another story. Rinsing it in water does not work. Rubbing the slimy seed with dry towels removed enough of the gunk so I could finally grip and examine the flat, almond shaped seed, about a half inch long and a quarter inch wide firmly sealed with  thin skin covers. There appeared to be more than one layer of coverings, one for the slime, one as a protector, another sealing and another to keep the core of the nut away from nosey humans wanting to predict the weather.

There are four or so seeds in each persimmon and I wasted all of the seeds in one just trying to break them apart.  I went through a dozen different knives but then someone suggested using a single edged razor blade. Success!  Still not easy and but accomplished in my 6th seed splitting attempt.

I really want to know what the other seeds have to say as I really do not like what the seed I split showed to my tired eyes  – a spoon shape meaning that there will be a lot of heavy, wet snow. My back is already aching with the prediction.  How I longed to see a fork and the prediction of a mild winter with light fluffy snow and not the knife forecasting ice that we would have to cut through or the spoon.  

According to Dennis Patton, a horticulture agent with the Johnson County Kansas State Research and Extension  the folklore goes back to early settler days when there wasn’t sophisticated weather equipment and “probably has more to do with the stress that the plant was under when it was being formed during the summer weather patterns.”

Thanks again Walter!

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Celebrate Samuel Huntington

Norwich CT has laid claim to President of the Continental Congress  from September 28, 1779 to July 9, 1781 Samuel Huntington. Huntington was not born in Norwich but he did choose to use Norwich as his base of operations as he traveled to Philadelphia, New York and Hartford. He is also buried in Norwichtown.

I think it would be wise and fun to add a celebration of sorts to the growing list of activities available in Norwich to celebrate Huntington. Something simple perhaps focused not on history but on the spirit he and his family shared with the community when in residence.

Not having children of their own, he and his wife adopted his nephew Samuel H. Huntington and niece Frances as their own.  Perhaps an adoption fair on the Norwichtown Green?  Yes. I am talking music and dancing and fun on the Norwichtown Green or Lowthorpe Meadow.  What a great place to celebrate foster families and those interested in becoming a foster family. Maybe some pet adoption programs too.

Various diaries tell readers of the music and storytelling often heard in the kitchen of the Huntington home and  how indoor and outdoor games were a favorite pastime for the young of the household.  

It is time for Norwich residents to  admit that  people in history laughed, played and even giggled while they worked to create the foundation of our community. We can pay tribute to them  by sharing their joy in life and hope for a better future for themselves and their children.

My  personal recommendations for sponsoring organizations are UCFS, Reliance House and the Norwich Historical Society but I have not approached them. I think planning needs to begin soon. Lots of volunteers are needed. Would you be willing to support this kind of activity? 

Email comments on this blog to berylfishbone@yahoo.com

View my past columns at http://www.norwichbulletin.com/section/blogs01?taxid=1172