Column from May 20, 2010

Step back into the past

I had a great time visiting with Luke and Frances Danielson to write the story for The Othello Outlook about them being the grand marshals for the Centennial parade. What a wonderful couple!

They both grew up here and graduated from Othello High School. They’re a great choice to represent the last 100 years of the existence of our city.

This weekend represents almost two years of work by the Centennial committee and our chair Ken Caylor. When we first started, the event seemed so far away, but time flew by.

The celebration is here and ready or not, we’ll pull this thing off … at least that’s what I told Ken the other day.

There are many activities planned for Saturday and Sunday, not to mention the Othello Community Museum’s Reader Theater, 7:30 tonight (Thursday) at the senior center. The play features local folks, young and old, portraying those who lived here when the city was first founded.

On Saturday, there will be the parade, kids games, vendors, entertainment, a street dance and more. Sunday has a truly historic feel as there will be even more activities, such as a history of the town and the railroad, more entertainment, a community barbecue and the state will again present a copy of Othello’s original incorporation papers.

I want to especially invite everyone to the museum Saturday at 1 p.m. for a visit by Reynola Pakusich, whose grandmother was a homesteader here at the turn of the 20^th century. Her aunt will be accompanying her as she gives a talk about her grandparents and parents and shares anecdotes about life in the pioneer days.

We are very fortunate to have them at our Centennial celebration. In fact, Frances was thrilled when she found out they were coming as she knows Reynola’s Aunt Naomi very well.

Naomi was also one of Eric’s mother’s best friends, so he’s also excited to have the chance to see her.

Alyene (Roach) Morgan also grew up here. She and Gilbert (Eric’s dad) ended up in Smyrna for many years as he was the section foreman for the railroad there. Weekends were often spent in Othello, though, visiting Eric’s grandparents.

Smyrna is just south of Royal City along Crab Creek, so Alyene was very involved in community events there. She was an active member of the Crab Creek Cacklers, a service group that helped with a variety of projects that benefited Royal City.

One way they raised funds was through the sale of their cookbooks. All the ladies submitted recipes and there are many in the book from Alyene, including this one for peach cobbler.

Peach cobbler

2 cups sliced fruit

2 tablespoons flour

¼ cup sugar

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 cup fruit syrup

1 tablespoon butter

1-1/2 cups flour

3 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon sugar

1/3 cup shortening

1 egg

½ cup milk

Arrange fruit in greased pan.

Mix flour and ¼ cup sugar; sprinkle over fruit. Add lemon juice and fruit syrup; dot with butter.

Combine dry ingredients, add shortening. Add milk and eggs.

Drop dough in mounds over fruit. Drop dough in mounds over fruit.