WHITE SALMON
Marry Me Chicken
Say YES to Valentine’s dinner at home
Ingredients
8 ounces spaghetti
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
* Kosher salt and black pepper
1 shallot, halved and thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 jar (6.3-ounce) sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
1 chicken bouillon cube (0.4-ounce)
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
Directions
In large pot, cook pasta in boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside. Heat 2 tablespoons oil
in large skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle chicken with salt and black pepper on both sides. Cook undisturbed until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Cook other side until golden brown, about 5 minutes more. Remove to plate. Add 1 tablespoon oil and shallot to same skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until just tender. Add garlic, stirring continuously, until fragrant. Add broth and scrape up browned bits. Add tomatoes, bouillon, cream, oregano, red pepper flakes and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir until cube dissolves. Bring sauce to a boil; reduce to a simmer over medium-low heat. Nestle chicken in sauce. Cook until sauce thickens slightly and chicken registers at 165ºF, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in Parmesan and basil. Serve with spaghetti.
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What’s in a Heart?
Why candy hearts remain a cultural icon
By Donovan Darling, Active Media
Necco wafers, candy hearts, Sweethearts, conversation hearts. The candy goes by many names, with silly messages and a chalky consistency. The notorious candy hearts have a strange history that harkens back to a Civil War-era pharmacy and America’s first candy machine. The story begins in 1847, with a pharmacist named Oliver Chase, who invented a machine to produce lozenges. Back then, apothecary lozenges were popular for sore throats and other illnesses. But 175+ years ago, the process to make a lozenge was labor-intensive: pulverizing medicine and sugar paste by hand with a mortar and pestle, kneading dough, then rolling and cutting out little discs. Considered the first candy machine, Oliver invented a lozenge cutter to simplify the process and smartly shifted from making medicine to making candy, founding Chase and Company, which later became New England Confectionery Company, or Necco!
Here’s where the story gets really interesting. Legend tells us that Union soldiers during the Civil War carried Necco wafers, known as “hub wafers,” and Oliver Chase might have been inspired by the love letters these soldiers carried. Historians also suggest that perhaps Daniel Chase, Oliver’s brother, was inspired by the growing popularity of Esther Howland’s Valentine’s Day cards which began selling in the mid-1800s. A third and more likely explanation is that the candy wafers were inspired by the oddly named cockle, a popular candy shaped like a scallop seashell which contained a “motto” printed on a thin roll of paper stuffed inside. Daniel may have cleverly improved upon this design, printing the messages directly onto candy by using a felt roller pad wetted with red vegetable coloring.
However, Daniel’s “conversation candies” or “motto lozenges” weren’t heart-shaped until later in 1902. Until that time their candy was sold in a simple disc shape, but eventually they were sold in shapes like baseballs, watches and horseshoes. When the candy hearts were introduced they were hugely successful, and over the next 100 years other smaller companies began selling similar candies. In 1990, Necco acquired Stark Candy Company and became the “leading manufacturer in conversation hearts.” Today, the company claims to manufacture nearly 100,000 pounds of Sweethearts every day and approximately 8 billion candy hearts each year.
But what is a candy heart exactly? Necco offers classic Sweethearts, as well as chocolate, sugar-free, “dazzled,” and “color your own” varieties. According
to their website: “Manufacturers combine sugar, corn syrup, cornstarch, flavors, gums and colors into a mixing machine to create a dough, which then goes into a machine that presses it flat, stamps it with sayings and cuts it into hearts. After 30 minutes in a “drying tunnel,” the six different heart flavors are mixed together and packaged.” I guess they’re not made out of chalk!
Daniel Chase’s original printed lozenges were larger and therefore included longer phrases, like “HOW LONG SHALL I HAVE TO WAIT? PLEASE BE CONSIDERATE” and “WHY IS A STYLISH GIRL LIKE YOU A THRIFTY HOUSEKEEPER?” Obviously, times have changed! There were also weddingthemed sayings, such as “MARRIED IN WHITE, YOU HAVE CHOSEN RIGHT,” “MARRIED IN SATIN, LOVE WILL NOT BE LASTING.” Previous sayings like the deeply dated “FAX ME” and “GROOVY” have been discontinued. The more timeless messages like “BE MINE” and “KISS ME” you may be more familiar with. Whatever your feelings on candy hearts, they’re a fun and fascinating little piece of American history.
Tues - Sat: 10am to 5pm
Sun: 10am to 3pm
2795 Cascade Ave.
Hood River
Tending the Basics
A portable community service
By Patti Jo Brooks, Active Media
by Henry Schifter, Active Media
What do an event, a home and a construction site have in common? Sanitation services! Neal Creek Portable Sanitation supplies the Columbia River Gorge region with full-service sanitation. Owner Paul Jones took over Gorge Portable Sanitation, Inc. last January, renaming it under the Neal Creek brand. Local residents may be familiar with Neal Creek Forest Products that Jones has owned and operated in the area for the last six years. The two businesses have a commonality: both supply needbased services to the area with an overlapping clientele.
“We are the only full-service septic company in the area,” Jones points out. “We do septic installs, septic pumping, porta-potties, luxury restrooms, and 24-hour emergency services.” Operating in Hood River and Wasco County, Neal Creek Portable Sanitation has become the largest septic service business in the Columbia River Gorge. Out of Hood River and The Dalles, they provide sanitation service to commercial, residential and municipal clients.
Local orchardists, landscapers and contractors are among the clients who rely on Neal Creek Portable Sanitation to supply porta-potty services for their laborers. When wildfires
plague the area, Neal Creek Portable Sanitation aids local government by supplying firefighters with restroom facilities at the fire camps. For special occasions and outdoor events, Neal Creek Portable Sanitation provides luxury restrooms: a climate-controlled luxury mobile unit with sinks, private stalls, lighting and mirrors can be brought onsite for your guests’ convenience. So why exactly did a forest products business owner decide to purchase a septic sanitation company? Opportunity, for one! The 20+ year company, known locally as GPSI, sat on a property adjacent to Neal Creek Forest Products. Believing that sanitation services
would fit well with the Neal Creek brand, Jones wanted to offer this additional service to Gorge-area residents who for years had been provided with mulch, firewood, snow removal and bark through Neal Creek Forest Products.
In February, Neal Creek Portable Sanitation purchased Vista Sanitation which held multiple septic contracts throughout the region. Vista’s owner, Wade Kilby, joined Neal Creek Portable Sanitation as COO, bringing with him over 15 years of experience in the sanitation business.
As a 15-year resident of Hood River, Paul Jones, owner of Neal Creek, demonstrates a deep commitment to the local community. Beyond supporting local businesses like Gorge Grown Food Network, local orchardists, as well as contributing to the success of the county fairs, Paul dedicates his time to coaching youth sports and volunteering. Alongside his beautiful wife, Erica Jones and two sons, Paul embodies the spirit of a family invested in the long-term well-being of their hometown.
Neal Creek Portable Sanitation is located at 3295 Neal Creek Mill Rd. in Hood River. Call (541)806-0268 or email info@ nealcreekps.com. For more information visit nealcreekps.com.
Photos
Steelhead-line News
Encouraging signs for 2025 fishing
By Lucas Holmgren, Active Media
Runs of salmon and steelhead are so widely varied: One component can have blockbuster returns, while others will quietly suffer low numbers and closed fisheries. Over the last decade, many headlines and articles speak of high numbers of returning species like sockeye, but often steelhead are holding on by a thread, forcing closure of popular steelhead fisheries. These runs are cyclical, and we seem to be on the bottom end of the lowest cycle for summer and winter returning steelhead.
The 2023 forecast for returning summer steelhead on the Columbia River was only 67,800 adult fish, but total numbers appear to have strongly exceeded that prediction. With an
actual 2023 return of 113,891 summer steelhead, they have outperformed expectations. This is a welcome change, as depleted stocks of summer steelhead result in the loss of multiple fisheries all the way up the Columbia River.
The winter numbers of steelhead are difficult to get exact counts on, as they are primarily coastal and can spawn quickly and leave just as fast. Unlike salmon, steelhead usually do not die in their spawning stream, but will make an effort to swim back downstream and out to the ocean.
An overall increase in abundance of steelhead coast-wide indicates better ocean conditions for steelhead. While Chinook and Coho salmon often follow the coastlines, steelhead exit their freshwater rivers and swim solitarily across open ocean, encountering warmer waters and warm water predators.
The 2024 summer steelhead numbers in the Lower Columbia and Upper Columbia gave hope to steelhead enthusiasts, and for some, catches were excellent. In fact, this author’s brother had his best season ever, fishing the Lower Columbia tributaries for hatchery steelhead. “Hooking a steelhead every single trip in May and June, on multiple rivers, was something I never expected to happen.”
The early season was certainly one for the books! The author took several friends out in May to tangle with ultra-fresh and hard-fighting fish. It certainly was never “easy,” so to speak, but effort was rewarded. Populations of winter steelhead show many encouraging signs, including multiple Washington Coastal rivers opening to fishing for the first time in several years.
“All it takes is one,” and my first “winter run” of the season was a wonderful sign, and close to home. Steelheaders, time to dust off the graphite rods and get moving. 2025 has already shown promise, and with research and technique, you’ll have a chance at the fish that makes the Pacific Northwest so special.
Feasts of Fat Tuesday
Pagan festivals evolved into global celebration
By Robert Matsumura, Active Media
Few celebrations capture the spirit of indulgence and revelry quite like Mardi Gras. Famous for its dazzling parades, vibrant costumes and festive atmosphere, this iconic event draws millions of visitors to New Orleans every year. But while New Orleans seems to be the hub of all things Mardi Gras, in truth, its origins are steeped in centuries-old traditions that span continents and cultures.
Tracing the roots of Mardi Gras takes us back to the ancient pagan festivals of Europe, particularly those focused on the arrival of spring, such as Saturnalia in Rome, and Lupercalia in ancient Italy. Featuring feasting, costumes, and public processions, these celebrations were a way to cast off the doldrums of winter and welcome the renewal of life. With the rise of Christianity, these pagan celebrations were integrated into, and reinterpreted by, the Church. Mardi Gras — which translates to “Fat Tuesday” in French — emerged as the final day of indulgence before the solemn 40-day season of Lent. With Lent being a time of fasting and discipline, Fat Tuesday was that last great blowout — a time to enjoy rich foods and pleasures one last time before a long period of abstinence.
At the heart of the Mardi Gras festivities is the krewe system, “Krewe” being an organization or social club that organizes and participates in Mardi Gras parades and festivities. Each krewe has its own theme, traditions, and membership requirements, contributing to the diversity and vibrancy of the celebrations. The first krewe was the Mystick Krewe of Comus in 1857, where elaborate floats, thematic parades, and nightime revelry were first introduced.
Beyond New Orleans, Mardi Gras is celebrated globally under various names and traditions. In Brazil, Rio’s Carnival dazzles with samba parades, glittering costumes, and massive street parties reflecting Brazil’s cultural fusion of African, European, and Indigenous influences. Venice’s Carnival is synonymous with opulent masked balls and intricate costumes evoking the city’s Renaissance history. Germany’s Fasching or Karneval features parades, comedic performances, and masquerades, with Cologne hosting one of the country’s largest celebrations.
Mardi Gras arrived in North America via French explorers. On March 3, 1699, Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville and JeanBaptiste Le Moyne de Bienville landed near present-day New Orleans and dubbed the site “Pointe du Mardi Gras” in honor of the holiday. By the early 18th century, French settlers in Mobile (modern-day Alabama) and New Orleans had established Mardi Gras traditions, featuring parades, masked balls, and feasts.
Traditional Mardi Gras foods also capture the spirit of indulgence and cultural richness. King cake, a sweet pastry decorated in the holiday’s iconic colors of purple, green, and gold, often contains a hidden figurine symbolizing luck. Whoever finds it is tasked with hosting the next party. Jambalaya, gumbo, and crawfish boils showcase the Creole and Cajun culinary heritage of Louisiana, blending French, Spanish, African, and Native American influences. Beignets, deep-fried pastries dusted with powdered sugar, are also a beloved sweet treat.
More than just a party, Mardi Gras is a living tapestry of history, culture, and community. From its ancient origins to its modern expressions, it lives on as a celebration of joy, resilience and creativity. Whether you’re catching beads in New Orleans or dancing at a samba parade in Rio, Mardi Gras draws everyone into its timeless revelry. And as the locals say, “Laissez les bons temps rouler” — let the good times roll!
Dark Days of Winter
Winter has established its dominion in the Gorge. Sometimes the days are so dim that getting out of bed in the morning takes a good dose of willpower. Don’t despair! The days are lengthening, beautiful things are coming your way, and spring is only six weeks away. April is coming, and it’s one of the most beautiful months of the year!
When you’re struggling with darkness, whether it’s physical, emotional, or mental, there are things you can do to ease the pain and turn your life towards the light. Here are a few things that I have found to be helpful.
Write down 10 things you are thankful for every day. Be specific. Read them out loud to yourself, a friend or partner.
Rename the winter “hibernation time.” Catch up on good books, movies and correspondence.
Get outside, even on dark days, and walk. Daylight, even through the clouds, activates your brain and increases feelgood neurotransmitters. Daily exercise also increases your oxygen levels and wakes up both body and brain.
Turn on lots of lights and put on happy music when you get up in the morning.
Plan fun activities to do with friends. How about an hour at the spa and lunch at the Society Hotel in Bingen? Or bowling on a rainy afternoon? Or invite
friends over for an evening of games and snacks?
Consider a light therapy box. Happy Light by Verilux is personally helping us get through this winter.
Taking 2,000 to 5,000 units of Vitamin D a day really helps with both brain energy and your immune system.
For a little brain brightening. use Serotonin/Dopamine Liquescence, a gentle homeopathic formula that can be taken with or without antidepressant medications.
Try SolaRay’s Sharp Mind-Mood. One capsule a day provides a small dose of lithium for depression and Zembrin for anxiety. It’s a lovely combination.
St. John’s Wort is known for its anti-depressant properties (but shouldn’t be taken with prescription antidepressants). You can take it alone or in a combination with other herbs and minerals. Excellent blends that we carry with St. John’s Wort are Mood Support by NOW Foods or Optimistic by Source Naturals.
Don’t give up. Don’t give in. Stop by Daniel’s for a good dose of cheer!
Ruth Maletz RN,
Novella by Hallmark Floors