AE Vol. 5 Issue 1–Preview by Bright Magazine Group

Bend, Wyoming

Oxbow

First Look

12 | A Season of Beauty

Winter across America is a unique time to experience nature’s beauty.

Features

14 | Getting to Know Steve Guttenberg

Behind the actor who found success and fame in Hollywood is a family whose bonds are as strong as steel.

22 | Call of the Wild

For hunter and conservationist Donnie Vincent, being in the wild is a primordial experience that connects us to great meaning.

28 | Freedom to Dance

Principal dancer Angelia Wang reflects on the freedom that has enabled her to practice her art.

32 | Whimsical by Design

Designer Hayley Paige talks about her creative process and personal style.

36 | Financial Grit

“The Ramsey Show” co-host Jade Warshaw shares her journey of paying off half a million dollars in debt.

38 | Prepared for Anything

According to top survivalist EJ Snyder, the greatest tool is the human mind.

42 | Feeding Everyone

A café feeds the homeless while preserving their dignity.

44 | A Simple Gesture of Gratitude

Volunteers find a thoughtful way to say “thank you” to those who serve our country.

History

46 | Founding Farmer

George Washington’s scientific crop observations and farming inventions advanced early American agriculture.

50 | Finding Superhuman Strength

By nurturing love and self-acceptance, “Superman” actor Christopher Reeve found hope and inspiration after his debilitating paralysis.

54 | Tactical Showmanship

A World War II top-secret unit, informally known as the “Ghost Army,” used ingenious deceptive tactics to deter a German advance.

58 | America’s Admired Aviatrix

Pilot Jacqueline Cochran rose to fame by leading the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots during World War II.

62 | The Tale of the Resolute Ship

The surprising story about how lumber from a British Arctic whaling ship was used to make the White House’s presidential desk.

Arts & Letters

68 | Why Study Lincoln

Historian Michael Burlingame talks about his major historical discoveries and why studying Lincoln can change lives.

72 | Why I Love America

Reader Brian Lund reflects on the freedoms that make America exceptional.

74 | My Family Roots

Reader James Park learns valuable lessons from the humble life his grandfather led.

Lifestyle

78 | Growing Together

A permaculture homesteader in New Jersey weaves an interconnected web of land, animals, and people.

84 | Ultimate Guide to Emergency Prep

Keep your family safe with a checklist for disaster readiness, according to six emergency preparedness experts.

92 | ‘What I Eat in a Day’ “Nourishing Traditions” author Sally Fallon Morell shares her own nutrient-dense, traditional foods diet.

94 | Words That Matter

Experts on interpersonal relationships offer their favorite phrases to uplift others.

98 | Rx for Life

Naturopathic doctor Heather Sandison shows us that reversing cognitive decline is possible.

AMERICAN ESSENCE BY BRIGHT MAGAZINE GROUP

FOR EVERYONE WHO LOVES THIS COUNTRY

JAN. – FEB. 2025 | VOLUME 5 | ISSUE 1

PUBLISHER

Dana Cheng, PhD

EDITORIAL

Editor-In-Chief

Managing Editor

Lifestyle Editor

History Editor

Arts & Letters Editors

Editor-At-Large

Production Manager

Channaly Philipp

Annie Wu

Crystal Shi

Sharon Kilarski

Jennifer Schneider

Tynan Beatty

Astrid Wang

CREATIVE

Lead Designer Designer

Photographers

Illustrator

Jane Russo

Karen Tang

Samira Bouaou

Adhiraj Chakrabarti

Biba Kayewich

MARKETING & SALES

Marketing Manager

Marketing Assistant

Sales Director

Sales Assistant

Brett Chudá

Jennifer Tseng

Ellen Wang

Onon Otgonbayar

CONTRIBUTORS

Sandy Lindsey, Tim Johnson, Kenneth LaFave, Walker Larson, Ida Pink, Randy Tatano, Andrew Benson Brown, Rudolph Lambert Fernandez, Dustin Bass, Brian Lund, James Park, Ryan Cashman, Krista Thomas, Bill Lindsey, Hazel Atkins, Andria Pressel

American Essence (USPS 24810) is published bimonthly by Bright Magazine Group at 5 Penn Plz. Fl.8, New York, NY 10001. Periodicals postage is paid at New York, NY.

Postmaster: Send address changes to American Essence, 5 Penn Plz. Fl.8, New York, NY 10001.

General Inquiries: AmericanEssence.net/help

Advertisement Inquiries: ad@americanessencemag.com

Submissions: editor@americanessencemag.com www.AmericanEssence.com

U.S. POSTAL SERVICE STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, AND CIRCULATION (Required by 39 U.S.C 3585)

1. PUBLICATION TITLE: American Essence

2. PUBLICATION NO. 3665-9218

3. FILING DATE: October 10, 2024

4. ISSUE FREQUENCY: Bi-Monthly

5. NO. OF ISSUES PUBLISHED ANNUALLY: 6

6. ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION PRICE: $90

7. COMPLETE MAILING ADDRESS OF KNOWN OFFICE OF PUBLICATION:

5 PENN PLAZA, FL. 8, NEW YORK, NY 10001

8. COMPLETE MAILING ADDRESS OF HEADQUARTERS OR GENERAL BUSINESS OFFICE OF PUBLISHER: 5 PENN PLAZA, FL. 8, NEW YORK, NY 10001

9. FULL NAMES AND COMPLETE MAILING ADDRESSES OF PUBLISHER, EDITOR, AND MANAGING EDITOR: PUBLISHER: Dana Cheng, 5 PENN PLAZA, FL. 8, NEW YORK, NY 10001

EDITOR: Channaly Philipp, 5 PENN PLAZA, FL. 8, NEW YORK, NY 10001

MANAGING EDITOR: Annie Wu, 5 PENN PLAZA, FL. 8, NEW YORK, NY 10001

10. THE OWNER IS: Association for Asian Research Inc.

11. TAX STATUS: NON PROFIT 501 C (3), NO CHANGES SINCE 2006

Editor’s Note

Dear Readers,

Happy New Year! You might notice the new design of our classic nameplate. We hope you like this update as much as we do.

In this issue, we explore self-reliance. Nothing seems as American as rugged individualism, but when we take a closer look, we see that true self-reliance encompasses an extension of ourselves: our families and communities.

Hollywood actor Steve Guttenberg, who took five years off work to care for his ailing father, shines the light on a quiet labor of love. The 53 million caregivers in the United States are indeed, as he writes in his book, “an army of compassion.” With gentle humor, Guttenberg charms us with his hard-won wisdom (page 14).

Grit, perseverance, hard work, community—these intertwining elements can all be found in the stories told by adventurer Donnie Vincent as he explores the remote wilds above the Arctic Circle (page 22); dancer Angelia Wang as her dance company revives a lost art form (page 28); survival expert EJ Snyder as he elaborates on the mindset that gets him through any emergency (page 38); and show host Jade Warshaw as she goes from half-a-million dollars in debt to debt-free (page 36).

History lovers will enjoy learning about George Washington’s farming legacy (page 46); “Superman” actor Christopher Reeve (page 50); and aviation legend Jacqueline Cochran (page 58).

Finally, take up the torch yourself—don’t miss our emergency preparedness guide (page 84). From making a plan to stocking up on essentials, being prepared enables us to go forward with confidence and calm.

As we head into 2025, let’s be grateful that the bonds that tie us together make us stronger as communities and as a nation.

Blessings for the New Year,

Editor-In-Chief Editor@AmericanEssenceMag.com

Indulge in the finest at DAYES Coffee Roasters.

We’re proud to introduce our specialty, enzyme fermented coffee. This innovative coffee is low in caffeine, low in acidity, gentle on digestion, mycotoxin free, and deliciously smooth - with notes of dark chocolate, butterscotch, brown sugar, and nuttiness. Fermented with 50 enzymes, each premium quality bean is specially crafted and roasted at our own coffee shop in Middletown, New York.

roasted in Middletown, New York - delivered to your home

whole bean or ground.

SOCIAL CALENDAR

By Sandy Lindsey

A Frosty Wine and Dine TAOS WINTER WINE FESTIVAL

Taos, N.M. Jan. 29–Feb. 2

Over 30 national wineries join with two dozen of Taos’s most venerable restaurants for four days of fun and educational seminars, wine tastings, chef luncheons, dinners, and more. Bundle up and enjoy a weekend of magnificent skiing, reserve tastings and silent auctions, and an après-ski champagne and caviar reception—all culminating in the Grand Tasting. TaosWinterWineFest.com

Winter Wonderland

WORLD SNOW SCULPTING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Stillwater, Minn. Jan. 15–19

Set against the dramatic backdrop of the scenic St. Croix River, teams from Turkey, Finland, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, Ecuador, Florida, North Dakota, and Minnesota will turn giant blocks of snow into artistic masterpieces. Spectators are encouraged to interact with the teams and enjoy the fine dining and unique shops in town.

WorldSnowSculptingStillwaterMN.com

Majestic Manatees

FLORIDA MANATEE FESTIVAL

Crystal River, Fla. Jan. 18–19

The relatively warm, spring-fed waters of Crystal River attract North America’s largest manatee gathering every winter—an occasion celebrated with boat tours, guided kayak tours, music, epic seafood, local barbecue, artisanal crafts, and more. Citrus County is the only place in North America where nature lovers can legally swim and snorkel with these docile giants. GoManateeFest.com

Feeling Fishy

55TH EVERGLADES SEAFOOD FESTIVAL

Everglades City, Fla. Feb. 7–9

For over 50 years, Everglades City, a historic fishing village and the stone crab capital of Florida, has attracted tens of thousands of foodies for three days in February to feast on mouthwatering fresh seafood and go on boisterous carnival rides. The event first began when local fishermen got together to raise money for playground equipment in the 1970s. EvergladesSeafoodFestival.org

Historic Moments

AMERICAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL

Lake City, S.C. Feb. 15–16

Hear the resounding booms and smell the powder from firing guns and cannons. Set on historic Graham’s Farm, the festival honors Revolutionary War and World War battles with re-enactor infantry, horses, military vehicles, and WWI planes. Don’t miss the displays of Revolutionary War, WWI, WWII, Korean, and Vietnam war artifacts, weapons, and vehicles.

TheAmericanHeritageFestival.com

The Sound of Movies

N.Y. POPS: 100 YEARS OF EPIC FILM SCORES

New York, N.Y. March 14

Self-billed as “a different kind of orchestra,” the New York Pops pays tribute to popular music’s evolving songbook, performing Broadway, film scores, jazz, rock, and pop. The Epic Film Scores concert covers everything from mid-century classics such as “King Kong” and “Psycho” to more recent favorites like “Gladiator” and “The Avengers.” NewYorkPops.org/FilmScores

CULTURE SHORTLIST

WATCH

‘The Longest Day’

This outstanding war epic offers a gripping portrayal of D-Day through multiple perspectives. With intense battle scenes and a star-studded cast, including John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Robert Ryan, Richard Burton, Eddie Albert, and Sean Connery, among others, the film captures the chaos and scale of the invasion while honoring the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought for freedom on Normandy on that historic day.

DIRECTOR

Ken Annakin, Andrew Marton, Gerd Oswald

RELEASED OCT. 4, 1962

STREAMING AMAZON, VUDU, APPLE ITUNES

Tree Grows in Brooklyn’

by Betty Smith

The classic 1943 American novel operates on several levels. It’s the coming-of-age story of Francie Nolan, a book-lover with a big imagination who faces the challenges of Brooklyn’s slum life. Smith also paints a realistic picture of inner-city poverty at the dawn of the 20th century, with Francie’s mother Katie scrabbling to save up precious pennies. Finally, the story vividly depicts the role played by freedom and education in the American Dream. Highly recommended.

Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2018, 493 pages

WATCH

‘Sight’

Young Dr. Ming Wang witnessed the brutality of China’s Cultural Revolution, but he survived, eventually immigrating to America. Years later, Dr. Wang becomes a preeminent eye surgeon, but his toughest case, an Indian orphan deliberately blinded with acid, brings back memories of a classmate who fell victim to Mao’s chaos.

DIRECTOR

Andrew Hyatt

RELEASED 2024 STREAMING ANGEL STUDIOS

‘Destroyer Captain: The Life of Ernest E. Evans’

by James D. Hornfischer and David J. Hornfischer

Ernest Evans commanded the destroyer Johnston at the Battle off Samar in October 1944. He repeatedly attacked Japanese battleships and cruisers to allow the escort carriers he was guarding to escape. It cost his ship and his life. This is the first fulllength biography of Evans, started by the late and legendary naval historian James Hornfischer and finished by his son. It is a tale of an American hero.

Dutton Caliber, 2024, 256 pages

CHINA BEFORE COMMUNISM

“Magnificent… very enlightening!”

—Tony Robbins, motivational speaker

“I’ve never seen anything quite so beautifully choreographed in my entire life.”

—Shirley Ballas, Strictly Come Dancing (UK), head judge

“There is a massive power in this. It brings great hope...”

—Daniel Herman, former Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic

“I encourage everyone to see and all of us to learn from.”

—Donna Karan, founder of DKNY

By Tim Johnson

Best Places to Experience Nature

We all know that winter weather can be woolly. But during these cold months, it’s always best to embrace everything that the wild world has to offer. Here are six places in the U.S. where you can experience nature’s winter wonderlands.

Look for Wildlife in Yellowstone

Vast and legendary, America’s first national park is 2.2 million acres of Western wonder. In addition to soaring geysers and roaring waterfalls, you’ll find literally hundreds of animal species here. You will encounter free-roaming herds of elk as well as the largest public herd of bison in the United States. If you’re lucky, you could spot grizzly bears, wolves, and cougars, plus moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats.

Ride a Dog Sled in Lake Placid

There’s nothing like riding on a dog sled—your happy team of four-legged friends bounding and barking, pulling you along, and the smooth runners of the sled below your feet gliding through the snow. In the Adirondacks of upstate New York, you can mush right from Main Street in Lake Placid, where the dogs will transport you across the white surface of Mirror Lake.

are not included preview.

Feel the Heat in Steamboat Springs

More than a mile high in the mountains, right near the Continental Divide, people have been enjoying the geothermal warmth in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, for centuries—indigenous populations and homesteaders alike. The town was so named because the bubbling reminded settlers of a steamboat. Enjoy the springs in Old Town or head out to nearby Strawberry Park for even more pools.

Gaze at the Northern Lights in Fairbanks

You never forget the first time you see the Northern Lights flashing and dancing in the sky. A pretty city set on the big bends of the Chena River, Fairbanks, Alaska, sits a little below the Arctic Circle. With long winter nights and a location right under the auroral oval, it’s one of the best places to encounter this phenomenon—stay a few nights, and you’ll almost certainly experience the awe.

Take a Tropical Retreat in Hana

Sometimes, you just need to trade all the snow and cold for a Hawaiian retreat. The Road to Hana will take you there. Starting from Kahului, winding through 620 curves and across 59 bridges to the far side of Maui, the drive will take you to another world. Hike through lush rain forest and swim beneath waterfalls. Then, bed down at Hyatt’s Hana-Maui Resort, where you can enjoy a lava-rock massage before slipping off to sleep in a bungalow set on a volcanic beach.

Sail With Whales in Monterey

Whales are wonderfully unpredictable. Slapping their fins, diving deep, showing their flukes, and even breaching, hurling their huge mass in the air. Every encounter is a wonder—a meeting with a massive, intelligent being—and the deep underwater canyon attracts many different kinds of whale species. You can get out on the water and experience them all winter long on Monterey Bay, California, one of the world’s best places for whale watching. Thrill to the antics of these massive mammals, then head to Old Fisherman’s Wharf for some excellent seafood.

STEVE GUTTENBERG BEHIND THE SCENES

From his humble beginnings in New York to his rise in Hollywood, his family has always been his rock

YBy Kenneth LaFave

ou might think that actor Steve Guttenberg, known for the role of Mahoney in the “Police Academy” movies—a character who once gave a speech with his fly unzipped—would find just about everything a source of hilarity. But there’s one thing at least that he is dead serious about: honoring his mother and father.

Guttenberg honors them with a passion that informs his new book, “Time to Thank: Caregiving for My Hero.” A series of vignettes that alternate memories of growing up with reminiscences of his adult life, it’s a history of the journey Guttenberg took from humble beginnings to superstardom—an all-American success story that led him from his family’s small apartment in the Flushing neighborhood of Queens to Hollywood fame.

TOP

Steve Guttenberg with his father, Stanley.

ABOVE

Guttenberg’s parents, Ann and Stanley, great supporters of his endeavors.

It’s all seen through the lens of his father’s last years, when Guttenberg commuted regularly from California to his parents’ home in Arizona to assist with dialysis treatment, which extended his dad’s life for several years.

“Time to Thank” is a portrait of a son’s devotion to his family and, before that, the story of a family’s devotion to their son.

Heading to Hollywood

Guttenberg’s father, Stanley, was a New York cop and Korean War veteran who believed in his family with absolute faith. Self-reliance was a trait that he, as a father, exhibited and encouraged in his children. When Guttenberg, at only 17 and fresh out of high school, expressed the desire to leave New York for Los Angeles to plunge himself into the movie business, many, if not most, parents would have said no.

Guttenberg’s parents practically helped him pack his bags. He recounts in “Time to Thank”:

“When I first came to Hollywood, my parents gave me two weeks and $300. They believed that, in my youthful endeavor, I could be trusted. Their hope for a measure of maturity meant that I could do what I dared to; my parents intended the cash for food and gasoline to shepherd me around Tinseltown.

“I spent almost the whole shebang on photos of myself.”

The first attempt at transplanting to Hollywood failed, despite some limited success, and Guttenberg returned to the East Coast and college. But in Hollywood, he had employed an agent, and, one day, out of the blue, that agent called him with the perfect part in a major new film.

Guttenberg’s portrayal of the young Nazihunter in “The Boys from Brazil” (1978) was his breakthrough role at the age of 20. Co-stars included Gregory Peck, James Mason, and Sir Laurence Olivier. He found Peck especially impressive.

“Greg was so generous, so thoughtful, and really good to me in so many ways,” Guttenberg recalls

are not included preview.

in a phone interview with American Essence.

“I was blown away by his ease and his greatness. When you’re around someone who does their job really well—a great baseball player, a great chef, a great director, a great architect—they’re very easy to be around, very down-to-earth. Their greatness makes them focused. They’re not distracted.”

A dozen films followed in rapid succession, among them the highly respected and successful “Diner” (1982), “Cocoon” (1985), and “Three Men and a Baby” (1987). Among these came the four “Police Academy” flicks (1984–1987), slickly spoofy movies that have been described as broad, silly, goofy, feel-good, and flat-out dumb. The franchise didn’t win any prestigious awards, but did it

soar at the box office!

Its popularity linked Guttenberg with “Police Academy” and the character of Mahoney forever. The association was so strong that when he met famous Italian film producer Dino de Laurentiis in connection with his appearance in the de Laurentiis film “The Bedroom Window” (1987), the producer greeted him with, “Ah, ‘Polizia Accademia!’”

Guttenberg embraces the fame he won through the “Police Academy” movies, but he also points out the range of his other films.

“I’m very lucky that so many of my films appeal to people in different ways. Some people come up to me and say, ‘Can’t Stop the Music’ is one of

By Walker Larson

For Donnie Vincent, a lifetime of exploring and hunting has imparted precious lessons about our relationship with nature and each other

Donnie Vincent on a caribou hunt on Adak Island, Alaska.

What does it mean to be fully alive? For hunter and adventurer Donnie Vincent, it means climbing inside an abandoned grizzly den and discovering the nest of twigs a bear made for the long winter days ahead. Or getting close to a venomous eastern brown snake, learning firsthand of its lightning-fast strike. Or climbing to the peak of a mountain to scour the landscape for elk. It means enveloping himself in the windy, wild, inhuman environments of our world in order to more fully embrace his humanity.

That internal drive leads Vincent to forgotten places full of a pristine loveliness rarely witnessed by human beings. “The first time I was in the Arctic, hearing that silence when the airplane was gone and seeing this wide open landscape and wildlife that I’d only seen on TV was incredibly inspiring,” he says. “I remember the first time I stood next to a crystal-clear river with

thousands of salmon stacked up and swimming upstream.”

Vincent—a rugged-looking man with long graying hair, thick mustache and beard, and clear green eyes that have looked out on many expanses of wilderness—yearns to discover such moments of supreme beauty out in the wild. The Wisconsinbased outdoorsman has made a life of hunting, exploring, and documenting those experiences in writing and on film, such as the widely acclaimed and artistically rendered “Winds of Adak,” produced by Vincent’s company, SICMANTA.

The pursuit of those experiences forces Vincent to undergo extreme hardship and deprivation in the wild. And he wouldn’t have it any other way. “If I’m laying in my tent in the morning and [it] literally feels like it’s gonna blow over, and I can hear the rain, and I know all my gear is already getting wet, and I have to get up and hike to the next location—even at those times, the lunacy of the uncomfortability is comforting to me,” he says. “The suffering, the understanding that

Vincent on Adak Island, located on the western tip of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands. With fierce winds that can reach up to 120 miles per hour, it is known as the “birthplace of the wind.”

The basics of survival focus the mind.

I have chores to do, that there’s no one here to save me, that I get these wide open landscapes to myself, is just really inspiring to me.”

Lessons From the Wilderness Vincent’s thirst for adventure, challenge, beauty, and the outdoors was stirred early in his life, when he was growing up in Connecticut. His father owned hunting gear and would occasionally go hunting, but Vincent’s introduction to a life in the outdoors actually began indoors: through reading. Speaking to American Essence, he recalled the beautiful books about the outdoors in his father’s library, such as the works by Jack O’Connor and Aldo Leopold. The wonderfully illustrated volumes told of adventures in the wild. Vincent knew early on that he wanted to spend his life in the world those books described—and he has.

Among the trophies Vincent collects from around the world, here’s the most intangible one: the new perspective on life he gains from roughing it in the wilderness. When relying on yourself in the wild, he notes, you have to focus on the essentials—food, water, warmth—which lends a deep lucidity and simplicity to one’s thoughts. The basics of survival focus the mind. “There’s something very precious about just worrying about those elements and understanding that all of those elements are your responsibility [to deal with],” Vincent explains.

By contrast, in a world full of modern conveniences and security, where we don’t have to think about the basics of survival, our minds wander to other worries, becoming more distracted, diffracted, and haunted with anxiety. “We worry about many different things that are poisoning our minds and bodies and stealing our resilience,” he says.

The perspective on life we develop by spending time on a mountainside practicing resilience includes a heavy dose of gratitude and mindfulness, according to Vincent. The hardships he endures in the wild make him all the more grateful for the little joys of civilization: “Because of how I live my life and how I want to live my life, when I get in my truck and I turn the key and it starts, every single time, I think, ‘Whoa, that is so cool that my engine started.’ I’m going to press the gas and get to go to someplace, and my truck is doing the work. I appreciate it every day.”

Vincent catches a Pacific eider. These ducks, which make their home in the Bering Sea, are notoriously difficult to hunt.

Vincent works on a research project tagging white sturgeon in British Columbia’s Fraser River.

are not included preview.

Recognizing the little things, being grateful for them, and living in the moment—time in the wilderness teaches all these things. Vincent recalls an episode while surveying a valley, searching for caribou, when his eyes alighted on a grizzly bear eating blueberries. He “wasted” his morning simply watching the grizzly eat because he found it so fascinating and wanted to just rest in the joy of the present moment. Such an attitude— though honed, perhaps, in the wilderness—isn’t restricted to remote valleys, windswept arctic plains, or silent northern forests. “It’s a state of mind. It’s not a place that we’re going,” Vincent says. “It’s how we’re living our lives.”

Vincent believes we can all benefit from spending time away from technology and in close contact with nature. “If we could all do that—let’s say it was mandatory in some weird, strange, fictitious world—the mindfulness that you would come home with would serve you tenfold.”

He strives to be mindful in his hunting prac-

tices by using his skills to help, not harm, wild populations. Hunting is a form of compassionate conservation when it’s used to thin an overpopulated species that risks eating itself out of house and home. Killing a single doe can reduce a deer population by 250 members over the next 10 years. That’s an important step to take when an overcrowded deer habitat makes deer hazardous to themselves and their human neighbors. Vincent has been called in to urban areas on a few occasions to remove does for this reason.

Many hunters, fishermen, and other outdoors enthusiasts keep their finger on the pulse of the natural world. They know what conservation management steps need to be taken and when. This drives a lot of dollars into conservation efforts. As one example, the Pittman–Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937 instituted an 11 percent tax on firearms and ammunition. The proceeds from this tax go to the management and conservation of wildlife.

Vincent documents an elk hunt in Schell Creek Range, Nev., for Men’s Health magazine.

A Matter Style of

Welcome to the wondrous world of designer Hayley Paige

By Ida Pink

Designer Hayley Paige, with her dog, Winnie.

Hayley Paige is a celebrated bridal designer known for her playful, imaginative approach to wedding gown design. Her creations aren’t just garments—they’re works of art, thoughtfully crafted to evoke joy and enchantment on a bride’s special day. Paige’s designs blend whimsical elements with personal style, celebrating individuality and empowerment. In this interview with American Essence, she opens up about her creative process, icons, personal style, and the magic of making every bride feel unique.

American Essence: How would you describe your design philosophy and vision?

Hayley Paige: Growing up, I was always drawn to fashion, but something about it felt distant, almost like it was “too cool for school”—intimidating, even. The bridal world, however, pulled me in with its intimate connection to love, romance, and sentimentality. It offered a way to create art that wasn’t just admired, but cherished through the most meaningful moments of life. For me, design is a dialogue—a conversation that continues long after the sketches and stitches. It’s about weaving stories and emotions into the fabric of someone’s most special day. I don’t take myself too seriously, but I find pure joy in the process of being inspired, creating something from that spark, and then watching it take on a life of its own in such a personal and profound way.

AE: How do you express personal style in your designs?

Ms. Paige: I try to maintain a sense of happiness and humor in my artistic process. It helps that design is an ever-changing, ever-evolving, and wonderfully eclectic world—there are so many personalities to engage with. In a way, it feels like anything goes. My personal style doesn’t always align directly with my dress designs. Instead, it’s more about taste and appreciating how things can weave together in unexpected ways. I love surprising people and getting a reaction like, “Whoa, I never thought these two things would go together.”

It’s like the first time a friend of mine told me to drizzle honey and add chili flakes on my avocado

sought-after

toast! When the goal is to create something “thoughtfully crafted,” “deeply meaningful,” or “curiously quirky,” that’s when the process transcends the ordinary and becomes something truly expialidocious.

AE: Where do you find your design inspiration?

Ms. Paige: I always spend the most time on this question because sometimes I feel like the expectation in my answer is to be one word, like “flowers” or “music” or “architecture.” For me, inspiration is mindfulness and a manifestation of the things we experience. Every encounter holds potential—whether it’s a fleeting moment, a cherished memory, or an unexpected spark of emotion. I believe in keeping your senses open to the world around you and staying sentimentally invested in your creativity. You can so easily be spellbound in this world if you’re open to it.

As a

designer, Paige has dressed brides including Kelsea Ballerini and Carrie Underwood.

AE: Who is your favorite style icon or designer and why?

Ms. Paige: Dolly Parton, hands down. Not just because I want to rock rhinestone denim on the daily—but because of how she’s mastered the art of being unapologetically herself. She’s stayed true to her brand and never taken herself too seriously, while still being a powerhouse of kindness, humility, and wisdom. The woman built an empire and a theme park while keeping that warm, down-home charm. She’s a national treasure, and in my book, she’s the gold standard for balancing authenticity with flair!

AE: Any must-have personal fashion essentials?

Ms. Paige: A great pair of cowboy boots. The whole identity for SheIsCheval.com was built around a pair of vinyl and rhinestone cowboy boots—because why not? They’re the perfect mix of rugged and glam. You can throw them on with denim for a day out or pair them with a ballgown when you’re feeling extra. I’m all about fashion essentials that have that kind of range— pieces that can go from the rodeo to the red carpet without missing a beat!

AE: What’s a timeless style secret that you swear by?

Ms. Paige: Never underestimate the power of a great upcycle. There’s something fulfilling about breathing new life into an old garment and giving it a fresh “up-spiral.” My go-to is, unsurprisingly, bedazzling denim. That obsession started when I was young, and it’s never left me. The idea that something can live beyond its initial shelf life and be appreciated in a new light is quite magical.

AE: How do you recharge creatively?

Ms. Paige: Growing up as a competitive gymnast, there’s something about moving your body— whether it’s a solid gym session, a long walk, or even a spontaneous dance break—that shakes off the creative cobwebs. Plus, it’s when I’m moving that my mind tends to wander, and that’s when the best ideas often sneak up on me.

AE: What’s your top beauty secret?

Ms. Paige: Lemon juice in the mornings. Seriously, squeeze a full lemon into a shot glass and take it down first thing. If you can’t handle the zest, try it in sparkling water and sip.

AE: What’s your must-have accessory?

Ms. Paige: Music. I suppose that’s not really a physical accessory, but I think it enhances almost any situation or environment.

AE: What five items are must-haves in your handbag? Anything unusual or unexpected?

Ms. Paige: Lipstick and eyebrow pencil (the beauty must-haves I need to feel freshened up in a pinch), business card for SheIsCheval.com with a fun discount code, extra doggy bags, mints (because gum gives me nightmares—but that is for another story), and extra hair ties (I like to be that girl with the extra hair tie in the bathroom).

Paige at a She Is Cheval pop-up event at Collective615 in Nashville, Tenn.

AE: What is your morning routine like?

Ms. Paige: Not glamorous in the slightest. Make bed, quick stretch, shoot my lemon juice and take vitamins, unload dishwasher, do laundry, feed dog, set up workstation, drink coffee, answer important emails—and set drafts for everything else. I like a productive, chore-filled morning because it sets me on a path of productivity. It also eliminates distractions, which are the killer of creativity. I believe in getting through the “todo’s” first so then you can get into the “ta-da’s.”

AE: How do you handle pressure with grace?

Ms. Paige: I try to remind myself that how I act in any situation is a reflection of my integrity and leaves a lasting imprint on another person. While we cannot always get it right, I do believe in putting in extra effort to protect your character. I never want to look back and wish I had been kinder or more composed. I like the Stoic philosophers—recognizing where your control lies and focusing your energy where it truly matters. It’s good to maintain humility on the highs, and hold on to your joy in the depths.

AE: What is your superpower?

are not included preview.

Ms. Paige: My mind is not a terrifying place to be. It’s easily distracted by happier thoughts, so that’s something to appreciate.

AE: What’s one thing that might surprise people about you?

Ms. Paige: I love working and being alone for most of the day.

AE: What is your favorite workout?

Ms. Paige: If I find the time and can get lost in a two-hour walk outside, preferably in a scenic place, I’m set.

AE: What’s your favorite way to unwind at night?

Ms. Paige: A dinner date with my fiancé and dog.

AE: If your life had a theme song, what would it be?

Ms. Paige: Probably “Break My Stride” by Matthew Wilder.

AE: What are you most excited about right now?

Ms. Paige: Without question—relaunching the Hayley Paige brand and finally marrying my fiancé—we’ve been engaged for five years now.

Paige at a wedding industry event in Palm Springs, Calif., with Société Privée.

Paige in her office, wearing a romper of her own design.

Paige’s Alohomora shoes. Fans of Harry Potter will recognize the spell that opens doors to the unexpected. With a bold bow for drama, the kitten heels feature Paige’s signature toile print.

Mission: Possible

When disaster strikes, survivalist EJ ‘Skullcrusher’ Snyder is the man you want on your team

By Channaly Philipp | Photographed by Adhiraj Chakrabarti

People can’t figure out where EJ Snyder gets his energy. The survival expert’s ever-growing roster of projects includes a survival skills teaching platform, a nonprofit to help fellow veterans, and even a brewery and pickle company. “I’m like a shark. I can’t sit still,” he said. “A friend described me as a tall glass of energy drink, and at 58 years old, men half my age can’t keep up with me.”

At the time of this interview, the North Carolina-based Snyder was teaming up with other veterans who swung into action in Hurricane Helene’s aftermath, clearing up impassable roads, delivering supplies, and searching for missing people.

A former Ranger and 25-year Army veteran, Snyder taught tracking and survival at the U.S. Army’s notoriously difficult SERE School (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape). For the last 35 years, he’s taught survival skills to civilians and soldiers. He considers it his life’s mission to help people be prepared for emergency situations.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he watched with disbelief the kerfuffle over the hot-item ticket. “I never thought in all my years that in a survival situation, people would be fighting over toilet paper,” Snyder said.

That’s a far cry from the survival essentials that he advocates for: a good knife, a few ways of starting a fire, a water purifier, shelter, and, ideally, some form of defense.

Snyder wrote the book “Emergency Home Preparedness: The Ultimate Guide for Bugging

In During Natural Disasters, Pandemics, Civil Unrest, and More.” He’s chief instructor on the new online platform SurvivalMastery.co, which features expert survivalists. Along with his own social media channels, like “Survive with EJ” on YouTube, he aims to make learning survival skills accessible and affordable to all.

Hits include videos where he assembles survival kit items at a dollar store for $30 and a bug out bag at Walmart for under $200. It’s easy to spend thousands of dollars on gear and supplies, but Snyder wants to show it can be done on a budget.

‘Get Uncomfortable’

If anything, Snyder teaches that “the biggest tool that you have is your own mind; and matched with those skills, and having an iron will and some little bit of grit, you can get through anything.”

“I teach people to have an attitude of getting uncomfortable. Know that you’ll do whatever it takes to live and that when you give up that will to live, all will flop. You have to become like iron.”

Snyder drives the point home that when a survival situation or emergency occurs, the first thing to do is to remain calm because “fear will cripple your actions, and fear could cost you your life.”

When he was a young boy, Snyder was bullied. “I learned one thing from that: If you put fear out into the air, out into the community, out in the wild, bad people or animals are going to come. … So I learned to get over fear very young.”

Snyder has seen what fear can do to soldiers in battle. He believes there are two types of people when a disastrous situation occurs. Some rise up to the situation and become natural leaders.

“They have this thing inside of them that wants to do good and help their neighbor, even if it’s putting their own life in jeopardy. Others will literally freeze in fright, because they don’t know what to do.”

Quitting Is Not an Option

Snyder’s own fearless attitude served him well as he entered a new world: reality TV. After retiring from the Army, Snyder went on survival shows such as “Dual Survival” and “Naked and Afraid.”

On the 27th day of a 60-day challenge on

“Naked and Afraid Legends” in Louisiana’s Atchafalaya Basin, the largest swamp and wetlands in the United States, tragedy struck. Snyder fell 12 feet from a tree and speared the family jewels, tearing them in two places. His options: go to the hospital—and eliminate himself from the challenge—or carry on and risk infection and possibly worse. Snyder chose to stay, got 12 stitches, and received the following medical instructions:

“They told me, ‘All right, listen. EJ, three rules. One, you gotta keep it clean.’

“I looked around, and I’m covered in mud, and I’m lying in mud, and I said, ‘OK, that sounds good. All right, I can do that. What else?’

“‘You can’t get it wet. You can’t go in the water.’

“I’m like, ‘I’m in a swamp. It’s wet everywhere and it rains twice a day. OK, what else?’

“‘You can’t do any physical activity for two weeks. You have to just sit here and do nothing. If you pop a stitch, you could get infected.’”

He considered his situation. Nightfall was coming, and the winter temperatures could dip down into the 30s. He got up and hobbled off in search of firewood, stitches and all.

Snyder was later asked why he didn’t quit. He said the reason had nothing to do with bravado: “Somebody out there is watching me on these shows. They get inspired. They get motivated on how to handle tough days. And the other thing is, I’m not sitting on the couch eating a bag of potato chips watching life go by. The mission was 60 days, and I wasn’t going to leave until I completed 60 days.”

‘You

Saved My Life’

When Snyder started doing reality shows, he didn’t anticipate the torrent of messages from people telling him how much he inspired them.

“If they had a drug use problem, they figured out a way, through watching me somehow, to beat addiction. Or if they’re not eating healthy and they’re overweight, then they get off the couch and they start exercising.” He proved to many that age was just a number.

Someone once told him, “You saved my life. I was at such a low point, and I was getting ready to take my own life. I was in a hotel room at two in the morning, your episode came on, and it changed my whole outlook on life.”

For years, Snyder had been asking God to guide him and tell him his purpose. Five years ago, as he sat praying under a 300-year-old oak tree, he had a vision. “God said to me, ‘My son, you’ve been a warrior for a long time. It’s now time to put the spear of the warrior down and pick up the staff of a sage. I want you to start imparting that on others, helping others, and get them ready for the bad days ahead.’”

He realized he’d been living his calling all along and was right where he was supposed to be.

“I’m just God’s humble servant and messenger, I don’t take the credit for any of this,” he said.

Snyder said he doesn’t take his responsibility lightly. “I firmly believe the words you speak to someone or the actions you take could change someone’s life or even save it. In all I do, it’s

See tips from EJ

on pages 84–91.

ABOVE EJ Snyder has been featured on reality shows such as “Naked and Afraid.” He has taught survival skills for 35 years.

TOP RIGHT Last fall, Snyder joined rescue efforts in Western North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, cutting a pathway through impassable roads and joining other veterans in disaster relief operations.

RIGHT Snyder works on starting a fire with his knife and a ferro rod.

Snyder

not included preview.

getting the word out about being prepared for bad days, developing the skills and the right mindset to get through life, because hard times don’t last, but hard people will.”

Paying It Forward

Growing up in the Hackensack area of New Jersey, Snyder developed a love for the outdoors while young. “My dad was a misplaced cowboy. He was a big outdoorsman, and anytime he could get to the woods and camp and fish, that was his happy place,” Snyder explained. His father taught him how to trap, hunt, fish, camp, and canoe.

“That’s where I felt happiest, in the woods.”

When COVID-19 hit, Snyder escaped into the

A Day in the Life of EJ Snyder

MORNING

10 minutes of silence

20 minutes of meditation and prayer

6- to 8-mile hike with his dog, Rocko Weightlifting (“Health and fitness is the one thing that you can take care of before a survival or emergency situation happens,” Snyder said.)

TIME TO GET TO WORK

Snyder attends to his businesses with phone calls, meetings, writing, and filming. Snyder also does motivational speaking and is involved in a pickle company, Freedom Pickles; Armed Forces Brewing Company in Norfolk, Virginia; a tow truck company in Clearwater, Florida; and Joe’s All-American, a bar and tap room in Vero Beach, Florida.

AFTERNOON

Target practice

Gym time, swimming

EVENING

10 minutes of silence

20 minutes of prayer and meditation

national park system for a few months, where he found joy in making videos and teaching people the basics of backpacking and camping. “The outdoors heals,” he said.

In photos, Snyder may look serious. Offcamera, he’s cheerful and ready for a laugh. His gratitude for life shines through.

“I’m a very free spirit. I still have a bit of a militant way about me, but when I get out in the wild, I move very free-flowing through the world these days with a very positive outlook,” he said. “Positivity is everything. If you bring negative energy into a situation, it’s contagious. Any kind of negative drama or stress, I try to free myself of that every day.”

Every day, he sets out his intentions, aspirations, and wishes; he asks for forgiveness and to be a better man than he was the day before.

“I believe in multiplying good deeds. Some people call it paying it forward. I just believe it’s called spreading positivity. If we all go out into this world and do that a little bit more, the world could be a better place. When you throw a little pebble in a pond, it’s the first splash that makes the biggest impression. It’s all the little waves and the rings that go out throughout the entire pond that make the biggest difference.”

First in War, Peace, and Farming

George Washington left a legacy in the world of agriculture, yielding many fruits

By Andrew Benson Brown

John Hunter, an Englishman who kept a detailed diary of his visit to Mount Vernon in 1785, wrote that George Washington “is one of the most regular men in the world,” always going to bed “at nine and waking up with the sun.” After taking a tour of the estate’s large acreage and observing Washington strip off his coat to work “like a common man,” Hunter wrote, “his greatest pride now is to be thought the first farmer in America. He is quite a Cincinnatus.”

Hunter was not the first person to compare the Virginian general to the famous Roman. Cincinnatus left his plow to take up the sword and then returned to his farm after saving the

republic. Washington fully embodied his reputation as the “American Cincinnatus,” making Mount Vernon a world unto itself, and even outdoing his ancient predecessor with his innovative ideas on agriculture.

A Scientific Approach to Farming

Following his military service in the French and Indian War, Washington returned to Mount Vernon in 1759. The war hero had little experience in agriculture and sought to make up for this by purchasing books on farming methods.

At first, he devoted his energy to growing tobacco. A labor-intensive and fickle crop, it proved unsuited to Mount Vernon’s clay-heavy soil. Problems with weather and topography yielded tobacco leaves that were mediocre in quality, fetching poor prices and causing mounting debt.

Beginning in the 1760s, Washington phased out tobacco and experimented with rotating different crops. His scientific observations in this field rivaled those of Thomas Jefferson, who was conducting his own experiments at Monticello. Washington carried around a pocket-sized notebook, keeping a daily diary where he meticulously noted the outcomes. By the end of his life, these observations totaled more than 700 pages.

He eventually tested 60 different crops. In his diary entries from 1785 to 1786, he lists many of these varieties, ranging from barley, clover, and flax to pumpkins, potatoes, and turnips.

One crop, he discovered, flourished above all the others. “The harvests of wheat have been

A map of Mount Vernon’s five parcels of land—five farms—taken from a drawing by Gen. Washington in a letter published in 1801.

remarkably good, the demand for that article from abroad is great,” he wrote in a letter from 1790. But which type of wheat was best? Here, too, he applied his careful observations, testing everything from summer wheat and double-headed wheat to yellow-bearded wheat, eventually deciding on white wheat as his main cash crop. He also grew Indian corn to feed livestock, and legumes for rejuvenating the soil.

George Washington, Inventor

In the many years spent away from Mount Vernon in service of his country, Washington was constantly writing letters back home, seeking reports and giving instructions for managing production. He came up with some of his best ideas during this time.

In 1792, during his first term as president, Washington took a break from duties of state to ponder a way to maximize wheat production.

He thought of a breakthrough invention: a twostory wheat threshing barn with 16 sides. The design combined several different processes. Horses walked on a circular floor on the upper level, treading the wheat to separate the grains from the stalk. The small wheat berries then fell through gaps in the floorboards, where they could be more easily gathered up. Washington’s idea was put into action back home, allowing him to process a much larger volume of wheat than traditional methods.

Washington the Rose Breeder

Not all of Washington’s planting experiments were geared toward hard-headed economic considerations. He was also one of America’s early breeders of ornamental flowers. He had, in particular, a passion for roses. He planted a variety of species, including Old Blush, Eglantine, and Damask roses.

The retired president inspects the wheat harvest on his Virginia plantation in “Washington as a Farmer at Mount Vernon” by Junius Brutus Stearns, 1851.

ABOVE Washington’s 1792 innovative design for a 16-sided treading (also called threshing) barn that protects wheat from the elements.

RIGHT

Inside the barn’s top level, horses trotted upon harvested wheat laid on gapped floorboards to allow wheat berries to filter to the granary floor below.

Legend has it that he even introduced a breed in honor of his mother, the “Mary Washington” rose. This climbing variety has beautiful white petals that, when immature, bear a pink tint. In 1986, President Ronald Reagan paid tribute to Washington’s horticultural contributions when he designated the rose as the national floral emblem of the United States.

Choosing the Plow Over the Crown

Washington’s political responsibilities put a limit on the attention he could give to farming. Though he longed to return to Mount Vernon, he reluctantly accepted his nomination to a second term as president in 1793. He soon regretted the decision, as critics questioned his integrity and satirists lampooned him for seeking a crown. During a cabinet meeting where Washington was shown a cartoon of his head in a guillotine,

are not included preview.

Thomas Jefferson recorded him yelling in an explosive outburst, he “would rather be on his farm than to be made emperor of the world.”

Washington would finally get his wish, retiring from public life in 1797. He returned to Mount Vernon, resumed direct control of agricultural production, and continued to experiment. He built a distillery that became one of the largest in the country and, in the last year of his life, was the most profitable business venture on the estate.

When Washington died in 1799, he freed his slaves and left Mount Vernon to his wife Martha. The grounds, in all their former glory, can still be visited today.

Among Washington’s innumerable contributions to his nation, his pioneering role as a founding farmer remains a vital, if often overlooked, aspect of his enduring legacy.

A year after the distillery was constructed in 1798 on Dogue Creek, it provided nearly 11,000 gallons of whiskey to over 80 customers. The whiskey was made by combining Mount

and

Vernon’s crops: rye, wheat, corn,

malted barley.

The treading (threshing) barn was built in 1792 on Mount Vernon’s Dogue Run Farm between two corn houses and two stables.

A gift from Queen Victoria to President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1880, the Resolute desk has remained in the White House’s Oval Office since John F. Kennedy’s administration.

The President’s ‘Resolute’ Desk

heavy oak lumber bears within it the marks of resilience, restoration, and reconciliation—a fitting symbol for the resolute American spirit

The president’s desk bears a remarkable pedigree. Its story ties together several disparate historical threads, including a ghost ship, polar exploration, and relations between the United States and the United Kingdom. The tale begins with a certain British admiral, Sir Edward Belcher.

A mapmaker in the British Royal Navy described Sir Edward Belcher as “a tyrannical martinet who made every ship he commanded a floating hell.” In 1854, that hell was a cold one, since Belcher and his small flotilla were sailing the frigid seas of the Arctic.

Tyrannical or not, one thing is sure: Belcher was a talented seaman, explorer, and hydrographer (someone who maps bodies of water). In 1852, he’d been assigned an important task. Belcher and his men ventured into the austere, alien waters of the Arctic on a rescue mission, searching for any trace of the lost Franklin Expedition.

The Franklin Expedition, headed by Sir John Franklin, was an 1845 British exploration operation that aimed to find the Northwest Passage through Canada to the Pacific. Franklin’s crew was ordered to record magnetic data as a potential aid to navigation practices. But the treacherous northern sea closed its icy fingers around the men of the expedition and never let them go. The mission proved to be one of the worst disasters in the history of polar exploration.

The two ships of the Franklin expedition— the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror—sailed from Britain in May of 1845, took on supplies in Greenland in July, were spotted in Baffin Bay, Canada, and crossed the Lancaster Sound.

By Walker Larson

They were never heard from again, vanishing into the vast white void.

In the years of searching conducted by the British government after their disappearance, no trace of the ships was found. Only a few artifacts and human remains were recovered. Most of the 129 crew members and officers had simply disappeared. Forensic investigations were conducted on the recovered bodies, revealing that the men suffered from starvation, scurvy, lead poisoning, and, possibly, cannibalism, a narrative supported by the oral accounts of the expedition provided by the Inuit people. It was only in the 2010s that the Erebus and the Terror were at last discovered, wrecked off King William Island.

It was this polar tragedy that brought Sir Edward Belcher and his small fleet of ships, including the HMS Resolute, to the Arctic in 1854. Belcher’s voyage was almost as ill-fated as Franklin’s. Though the Resolute was heavily constructed to withstand the harsh Arctic environment, it became locked in the ice in 1854, along with four more of Belcher’s ships. Belcher made the difficult decision to abandon the ships and begin an overland trek to rendezvous with other vessels that could bring them back to England.

The men left behind their floating piece of home, their security and warmth, and entered the unending whiteness. They marched over the vast expanses of ice, eventually meeting up with their comrades’ ships and returning safely to England. There, Belcher was court-martialed (not for the first time) for abandoning his vessels but acquitted because his orders gave him full discretion. He never received another command.

Sir Edward Belcher (above) and his men ventured into the Arctic on a rescue mission, searching for any trace of the lost Franklin Expedition’s HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, headed by Sir John Franklin (top).

So there, in the emptiness of the frozen North Sea, where the slowly clenching jaws of ice groaned and echoed through frigid air, the pale winds pined, and the strange lights flickered and played about the sky like ghosts, the abandoned Resolute waited. Belcher and his men had left it in good order, though they knew it would likely be broken up by the ice, in the end. But that was not to be its fate.

Sailing the Ghost Ship

Months passed. Summer came, kissing even the hard northern waters with warmth. The ice thawed. Somehow, Resolute broke free. It drifted some 1,200 miles until James Buddington, captain of an American whaling ship, the George Henry, sighted it in 1855, near Baffin Island. An 1856 New York Journal article describes the moment the Americans boarded the ghost ship.

Finally, stealing over the side, they found everything stowed away in proper order. … Everything wore the silence of the tomb. Finally reaching the cabin door they broke in and found their way in the darkness to the table. … [A candle] was lit and before the astonished gaze of these men exposed a scene that appeared to be rather one of enchantment than

reality. Upon a massive table was a metal teapot, glistening as if new, also a large volume of Scott’s family Bible, together with glasses and decanters filled with choice liquors. Nearby was Captain Kellett’s chair, a piece of massive furniture, over which had been thrown, as if to protect this seat from vulgar occupation, the royal flag of Great Britain.

Virginia officially seceded from the Union after Buddington assigned a portion of his crew to the ghost ship, and they sailed it back to the United States. According to maritime law, the ship belonged to those who had found it (Buddington and his crew), and the British government accepted this fact when they were notified of the find. But the U.S. government had a different idea. At this time, U.S. relations with Great Britain were strained. The War of 1812 was still alive to memory, including the moment when the British burned the U.S. Capitol. The two countries continued to dispute the Canadian border. In the discovery of the Resolute, the U.S. government saw an opportunity to make a gesture of goodwill toward their adversaries across the pond. Congress authorized $40,000 to purchase the ship from Buddington and repair it.

“HMS Resolute in Search of Sir John Franklin” by François Musin, 1850.

The Americans took great care in refurbishing the sturdy old juggernaut, as described in an 1856 New York Times article:

With such completeness and attention to detail has this work been performed, that not only has everything found on board been preserved, even to the books in the captain’s library, the pictures in his cabin, and a musical-box and organ belonging to other officers, but new British flags have been manufactured in the Navy Yard to take the place of those which had rotted during the long time she was without a living soul on board.

With great fanfare, the Resolute was sailed back to England and presented as a gift to Queen Victoria, who visited the ship in person. The Brits took the gift to heart, and the queen remembered this gesture from the Americans for many years.

Returning the Favor

are not included preview.

When the Resolute was removed from service and broken down in 1879, Queen Victoria ordered some of its timbers to be preserved. The heavy oak lumber, which had weathered so many storms and seen both tragedy and

reconciliation, was constructed into a massive, ornate desk, weighing 1,300 pounds. Victoria sent it as a surprise gift to President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1880, returning the favor and expressing gratitude for returning Her Majesty’s Ship, the Resolute, all those years before. Most importantly, the desk became an emblem of the mutual goodwill and alliance between the United States and Great Britain, which has never wavered since.

Most U.S. presidents used the desk since it was gifted at the end of the 19th century. Between 1951 and 1962, it was used to hold a projector in the broadcast room at the White House until it was rediscovered by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. She had it moved back to the Oval Office, where it has formed part of the backdrop for many landmark moments in American presidential history. There are photos of President Kennedy sitting at the desk with John Kennedy Jr. peeking out from beneath it.

The Resolute desk, as it has come to be known, bears within it the marks of struggle, abandonment, miraculous discovery, restoration, and reconciliation. It’s a fitting symbol for the resolute American spirit.

to conceal his leg braces.

BELOW LEFT

John F. Kennedy Jr. peeks out from the desk kneehole while his father, the president, works. The “secret door” covering the kneehole was added during President Franklin Roosevelt’s administration

BELOW

President Ronald Reagan working at the Resolute desk in the Oval Office on July 15, 1988.

Why America Is Worthy of Our Love

Reader Brian Lund deeply believes that America’s guaranteed freedoms make it a country worth protecting and loving

IBy Brian Lund

love America because she lets me love her just the way I do. America is not threatened by citizens who choose to disagree with her principles and freedoms. America has a bold confidence that can withstand even the most fierce opposition against the rights endowed to all. It is this inherent code that positions her as one of the most powerful countries in the world.

I love America because she isn’t threatened by her own citizens. She allows space in the radio spectrum for all voices to be propagated throughout her land and beyond. She is not threatened by discourse that contains dissenting views. America remains a highly respected country because of this, compared to those countries that implement severe controls on such debates. I love America because she rises above the fray, is tolerant, and listens. But the greatest guarantee of all is the freedom to worship a religion of choice. This is the differentiator between a top tier and a lower tier country. It’s the internal faith within her that protects this freedom without concern of

rebellion. America’s history settled this long ago: From the people who first came here for freedom of religion, to the Founding Fathers who believed in something greater, America is a testament to the success of the great experiment. I love America because she stands with respect for all who choose to exercise their rights and those who don’t, without any fear of her survival.

I am most proud of my country, America, where we line our streets to honor our veterans with military jets thundering overhead. It brings the feeling that I am on protected and secure land—not only a display of security for those resting on her sovereign land but also one of might, soaring in the skies above like a mighty eagle. America learned long ago that she was built upon the continuing service of those who decided she was worth defending. Therefore, I love America because of the unending display of respect and honor for them.

I love America because of Thanksgiving. Although this day is an expressly and uniquely American holiday, its influence doesn’t go

unnoticed by the world. I know this because one year, I traveled to Germany the weekend following Thanksgiving and was asked by an airport attendant if I was an American. I responded in the affirmative, which was followed by the attendant’s response that it must be the Thanksgiving holiday. “I could tell it was Thanksgiving because there weren’t any American travelers in the airport,” she said. So I raise a “cheers” to empty airports juxtaposed with American families gathered around a table of abundance, enjoying the blessings of their country.

Loving America comes not by a compulsory force. There is an innate foundation of love that is anchored in the hope for freedom—represented by the light illuminating from Lady Liberty’s torch, thrust high into the heavens. I love that she is good and strives to settle on the side of justice and prudence. America has entrusted us with the keys to her land, both to those who are grateful and those who are not so much. Here is where anyone can find his or her place of belonging.

Loving America comes not by a compulsory force. There is an innate foundation of love that is anchored in the hope for freedom.

Why do you love America?

What makes it worth celebrating? What moves you about the people and places that make up our country? Tell us in a personal essay of about 600 to 800 words. We welcome you to send your submission to: Editor@AmericanEssenceMag.com

My Family Roots

Lessons From Grampa

His grandfather emigrated from Poland, then devoted his life to faith and family. Reader James Park reflects on what he hopes to learn from him

WBy James Park

hen I was little, an upcoming visit of my Grampa was announced only the day or two before. Suddenly, our family room would be “out of bounds” and get transformed into his bedroom. The black-and-white television would be moved into the kitchen, a couple chairs relocated into the living room, and a rollaway bed unfolded and set up in front of the family room fireplace. A day or two later, Grampa would arrive, dressed as he always was in black pants, black socks and shoes, a white shirt, and a black button-down vest. To me at that young age, his visits seemed to bring a sense of quiet, peaceful joy.

I was too young to really know Grampa. In fact, it wasn’t until after his death in 1981 that I did. This came through a short biography researched and written by his only son, my uncle Dick. Michael Potocki was born on March 30, 1891, in a small farming village called Glembokie, located in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains in southern Poland. Michael was the youngest of five sons (along with two daughters) born to Thomas Potocki and Catherine Waclawska. He spent his early years helping with farm chores, like taking the cows out to pasture, and going to school, at least until sixth grade.

It was during those early years that some of Michael’s older brothers immigrated to the United States, settling in Utica, New York. They sent back money to the family, asking Michael

to join them, and so, in 1906 at age 15, he did. Utica was at the time a busy cloth milling town, and Michael’s brothers got him a job at Globe Woolen Mills, earning $4 a week. Because he was under the legal working age, his brothers would hide him under a large cardboard box whenever the labor inspectors came to check the mill works. During this time, Michael began to teach himself English using a dictionary and a newspaper.

After a few months at the mill, Michael left to join the U.S. Coast Artillery Corps, serving at various posts in Boston for two years, reaching the rank of corporal. His discharge papers listed his “character of service” as “honest and faithful.” Michael became a U.S. citizen shortly thereafter, on December 15, 1913.

After working for a few years as a fireman/ engineer across Boston, Michael enlisted in the Massachusetts National Guard in May 1917 before being called to active duty in the U.S. Army in July of that year. He served as a Sergeant First Class in F Company, the 101st Engineers, 26th Division (the “Yankee Division”), helping to repair bridges and build roads in France during several major engagements in World War I. Following his discharge in April 1919, Michael returned to Boston to study steam engineering and to begin his eventual 35-year career in the Boston school system, working on boilers and related piping, gauges, dials, and valves, to keep warm the schools under his care.

Michael met his future wife, Sophie Topolska, while she was on a vacation trip to Utica. He later learned that when Sophie mentioned his name and birthplace to her mother, her mother told her that Michael’s family was a neighbor back in the old country and that when his mother would go into the fields to work, Sophie’s mother would look after both Sophie and Michael! Michael and Sophie were married on August 29, 1922, in Utica, and in Boston they raised three children: my mother Rita, my uncle Dick, and my auntie Barbara. Sophie died in September 1951. Michael decided to devote more of his life to spirituality thereafter, eventually becoming a Franciscan brother, first at a monastery in Crogan, New York, then at St. Anthony’s Shrine in Boston. He enjoyed talking with the people coming to the shrine, hearing their stories, and sharing his thoughts and wisdom. It was during his time at St. Anthony’s that he would take trips down to see us at our home just south of Washington, D.C. As I said earlier, he would always bring peace, joy, and a ready smile. As a little boy, life in our home would slow down to welcome Grampa. His quiet, peaceful rhythm would become ours.

Following heart surgery in 1975, Michael

began to slow down. He continued his service at St. Anthony’s, even receiving Holy Communion from Pope John Paul II on a cold, rainy day on Boston Common in January 1979. But his health continued to decline slowly, and in November 1980, he was moved to an infirmary in St. Bonaventure, New York, and then to St. Francis Hospital in Olean, New York, where he died on January 24, 1981.

Grampa’s life was not one of high office, of fame in film or on stage, or of applause for marvelous inventions or deeds. Rather, his life was one simply lived and lived simply. It was a life of service to community and country, a life of relationships and connections, a life of faith in the Good God and a gift of life back to Him. In many ways, his life was like that of countless Americans, rooted in the stable backbone of faith, family, and service. Grampa’s example is one I’ve tried to emulate, as it brought him such peaceful quiet joy. I’m finding that it is gradually doing the same for me.

Is there a family member who has positively impacted your life? American Essence invites you to share about your family roots and the lessons passed down from generation to generation. We welcome you to send your submission to: Editor@AmericanEssenceMag.com

The author’s grandfather served as a sergeant during World War I.

The author (back left) as a child, with his grandfather and younger brother.

Angela Ferraro-Fanning harvests from her garden, where tomatoes, cucumbers, and loganberries are companion-planted with flowers and herbs.

Growing in Harmony

On a 6-acre homestead in rural New Jersey, Angela Ferraro-Fanning—along with her ducks, geese, sheep, and four horses—has nurtured a thriving permaculture paradise

By Ryan Cashman

Nestled in the western corner of the state, far from the busy eastern suburbs, Hunterdon County is a modern-day glimpse of the New Jersey of yesteryear. Many farms dot this pastoral landscape. But among the county’s 30,000 acres of preserved farmland, there is one farmstead that stands out.

Enormous hydrangeas and ornamental bushes flank the driveway of the 1775-era house. The small stream that runs through the property is lined with silver maples that are tapped for syrup in winter. Holly, chestnut, black walnut, and oak create a towering canopy. Hundred-year-old apple and pear trees, no longer bearing fruit, serve as a

reminder of the property’s history. Gardens are not planted in rows, but rather woven within the forested landscape. Carrots, tomatoes, peppers, and greens grow alongside flowers, herbs, strawberries, and fig trees.

Out in the verdant green fields, sheep follow draft horses, guinea fowl hunt for ticks, and ducks and geese devour slugs and snails. Native pollinators buzz around perennial flower beds. Horse trails wind through the woods, and ponds provide havens for frogs, salamanders, and snakes.

This is Axe and Root Homestead, and it’s the thriving ecosystem from which Angela Ferraro-

Fanning paints her permaculture paradise.

Noble Intentions, Wrong Location

Ferraro-Fanning always had an eye for the beautiful. An art major in college, she longed for the art trips that bussed her from Wisconsin to New York.

“My personality was more in line with the East Coast than the Midwest. Farming was not on my radar,” she said.

After graduating in 2004, Ferraro-Fanning and her husband, Shawn, moved to New Jersey and started a family. They set themselves up on a three-quarters-acre plot in the eastern suburbs. A lifelong lover of ornamental gardening, FerraroFanning planted perennial and annual flower beds, as well as a small vegetable patch in her compact yard.

Around the same time, she began a successful graphic design business that put her art degree to good use and provided a steady income. The only problem? It kept her locked to her desk.

“I hated being behind a computer. I started canceling meetings so I could get outside and work on my garden,” she said. She felt increasingly unsatisfied, taking solace in her flowers and vegetables.

“I went through a big identity shift,” she said. “I thought, ‘How am I supposed to balance deadlines, care for my baby, and be outside with my child more?’”

Then, she had an idea: “‘What if I trade in my paycheck for [growing] as much organic food as possible?’” she thought. “That snowballed into this whole lifestyle shift.”

Ferraro-Fanning soon found this new lifestyle addictive. She replaced her ornamental plants with edible ones, and she got ducks for eggs. As a vegetarian, she focused on the vegetables she could grow on her small plot. In 2013, she closed her design business and dedicated herself fulltime to growing her own food. She found contentment in the work.

“Then Santa brought goats for Christmas, and the city felt we weren’t a good fit anymore,” she said.

Thanks to various zoning laws and complaints from neighbors, the family had to get rid of their goats. But it wasn’t enough.

“I remember the zoning guy saying: ‘What you’re trying to do is very noble, but you’re

A Black Futsu pumpkin, an heirloom Japanese variety, grows hanging from a tree in the cedar food forest.

Ferraro-Fanning stocks Axe and Root Homestead’s farm stand with a bumper crop of gourds.

just not in the right location for it,’” FerraroFanning said.

In 2016, they packed up, sold their house, and headed west to an old, 6-acre plot in rural Hunterdon County, New Jersey.

Putting a Name to Her Practice

The historic property came with its fair share of challenges. The ground was hard clay, and the only animal inhabitants were rats.

Ferraro-Fanning brought in cover crops and livestock to begin improving the land. She again started with ducks for eggs, but this time, she had a new idea.

“I became really intrigued by this idea that I could get ducks to not just give us eggs, but also to go through my garden spaces and eat slugs and snails,” she said. “I thought, ‘That is so cool! What else can I do?’”

As the cover crops began to yield softer, healthier soil for her vegetables and fruit trees, and the ducks got control of the pest population, a connected web weaving together gardener, plants, and animals began to form in her mind. What she’d implemented were the primary stages of permaculture, a regenerative agricultural practice that mimics natural patterns found in the surrounding ecosystem. It’s a practice that stresses biodiversity, resiliency, self-sufficiency, and sustainability, without harming the surrounding landscape.

“When I started, I didn’t know it had a name. I just dubbed myself a holistic homesteader,” Ferraro-Fanning said. Only after finding other homesteaders on social media did she realize her intuition had led her to the practice.

She decided to earn a permaculture design certificate through a course at Cornell University, taught by instructor Michael Burns, co-founder of the Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute. When she showed him her plans for her farm, he was surprised. She wanted to introduce an animal not commonly associated with permaculture: draft horses.

Horses, Sheep, and Ducks—Oh My!

Most imagine horse farms to be enormous rolling grasslands mapped by fence lines. Six wooded acres might seem an unlikely home for a draft horse—let alone the four she would eventually have.

Horses wait to move to new pasture for the day, while the poultry flock migrates to its new foraging area. This rotational grazing practice reduces overgrazing, parasites, forage recovery time, and overall soil destruction.

The farm’s four Romney sheep and one Shetland sheep eat forage left over by the horses, help reduce equine parasite loads, fertilize the soil as they graze, and provide wool.

are not included preview.

“I’ve always been a horse girl. I thought I was just going to get them for riding,” Ferraro-Fanning said. “But when I combined this passion with a holistic homesteading approach, I thought, ‘What job could I have a horse do?’”

Now, her four horses—Clydesdales Dozer and Nevin, Percheron Matisse, and Belgian draft horse Odin—also act as her muscle. They help her pull logs from the woods, spread compost over the fields, haul in harvest, and rotationally graze their pastures. Sheep follow the horses, eating any shed parasites found in the horse manure. This disrupts the parasite cycle and helps keep the horses healthy. The sheep, a mix of Shetland and Romney, also provide nutrient-dense fertilizer with their own manure. Their wool is processed yearly after shearing. Meanwhile, the ducks, guard geese, and guinea fowl are hard at work keeping slugs, snails, and ticks at bay. The ducks and geese also consume any forage left behind by the sheep and horses.

The result? Abundantly green fields throughout the spring and summer.

Upon seeing the fruit of her efforts, FerraroFanning recalled, the formerly skeptical Burns

proudly proclaimed: “Yes! You’re doing it!”

“That was all the validation I needed,” she said. “We’ve created this truly working space and ecosystem that is giving more back to the land than what is being taken.”

Pumpkin Vines and Cedar Trees

Ferraro-Fanning takes much inspiration from a permaculture farm called La Ferme du BecHellouin in Normandy, France. The food forest systems she built into her homestead are directly inspired by those on the French farm.

The idea of a food forest is simple, but it goes against modern agricultural practices. Its goal is to mimic the self-sufficiency of a natural forest landscape, which is broken down into layers. The first is the overstory, which are sheltering canopy trees such as oaks and maples. The next layer includes midstory trees, something shorter and with edible fruit, such as apple or pear trees. The third layer is home to understory plants: bushes like elderberries, blueberries, or currants. Last come the forest floor items: flowers, herbs, lettuces, and other ground-dwelling plants. Each plant has multiple functions,

Dozer (left) and Finnegan (right) were the first draft horses on the farm. Orsa, the Great Pyrenees livestock guardian pup, begs for cuddles, too.

BE READY FOR ANYTHING

Being prepared for an emergency brings peace of mind. We asked six disaster preparedness experts for their tested strategies, trusted gear, and other essential tips to help your family weather any storm

By Crystal Shi, Krista Thomas, & Bill Lindsey

START HERE

MAKE A PLAN: “Everything in survival starts with a plan,” said EJ Snyder. Discuss with your family and figure out your budget. “Make a list: What are your priorities? What do I absolutely need? Start there. If you can’t do 90 days, knock out the first 72 hours, then come back and do the next 72 hours. Take it in little bites; then make the next goal.”

TAKE INVENTORY OF WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE: It might be more than you think. “Figure out what you need so you’ll know what to buy next,” said Lisa Bedford.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH: “Get in shape physically and get to a normal body weight,” said Jim Rawles. Get a first-aid kit and an extra supply of any medication you need. Stelzer suggests reading up on natural remedies and growing medicinal herbs such as echinacea, goldenseal, comfrey, and feverfew.

GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS: Community is crucial. “We strongly believe in building relationships,” said Kylene Jones. “If we know each other’s faces, we’re better connected, and we will help take care of each other. You have to build those relationships today—if somebody is sick, we take them dinner.”

CONNECT WITH YOUR FAITH: If you’re a person of faith, deepening it strengthens resilience in the face of hardship. For Rawles, that means to “get right with God and pray for his guidance, providence, and protection.”

Checklist at a Glance

Make a plan with your family, including for an evacuation route and communication methods in the event of an emergency.

Stock up on necessary medication and a first-aid kit.

Store two gallons of water per person per day.

Buy a small supply of packaged emergency foods.

Build a one- to three-month food supply.

Prepare alternative lighting, power, and cooking equipment for a power outage.

Prepare alternative communication channels and equipment for a cell service outage.

Pack a go-bag of essentials for each family member.

Illustrated by Oriana Zhang

THE RIGHT MINDSET

Q: What mindset should we have while preparing for emergencies?

Jonathan Jones: People should wrap their heads around needing to take care of themselves for longer than they think. As good of a job as emergency professionals do, they just can’t get everything done fast enough.

David Stelzer: I believe in lifestyle prepping. You’re creating a pantry that you can eat out of every day—a good supply of good food at all times. We’re in a world of plenty, and we’re thriving. If we come into a mindset of thriving more, it’s about doing a little bit better. Be a little ahead instead of behind.

Lisa Bedford: Get back to how our greatgrandparents lived. Their future was uncertain. It was second nature to think that way, but we’ve been so trained with convenience. My motto is: There’s peace in being prepared. Sooner or later, some sort of storm will hit—a pandemic, supply chain issue, job loss, or family member with a health diagnosis. It’s like being the turtle to win the race, not the hare. Avoid panic buys. A turtle will add items little by little, take a CPR class, set money aside. They are much more resilient in a crisis.

MEET

THE EXPERTS

EJ SNYDER is a survivalist, Army veteran, and author of “Emergency Home Preparedness: The Ultimate Guide for Bugging In During Natural Disasters, Civil Unrest, and More.”

DAVID STELZER is a fifth-generation farmer and founder and CEO of Azure Farm and Azure Standard, an independent distributor of organic, natural, and non-GMO food and household products.

JONATHAN AND KYLENE JONES are founders of The Provident Prepper blog and authors of “The Provident Prepper: A Common Sense Guide to Preparing for Emergencies.”

LISA BEDFORD is the founder of The Survival Mom blog and author of “Survival Mom: How to Prepare Your Family for Everyday Disasters and Worst-Case Scenarios.”

JIM RAWLES is an author, former U.S. Army Intelligence officer, and founder and senior editor of SurvivalBlog.com, a survival and disaster preparedness blog launched in 2005.

WATER IS THE FIRST PRIORITY

Storage

Store at least two gallons per person per day, to cover drinking, cooking, and hygiene purposes. For a family of four, that’s 56 gallons a week, or 240 gallons a month.

Storage can be as simple as cases of water bottles or cleaned-out soda bottles filled with water, stashed under the bed and ideally rotated yearly. Bedford recommends different layers of storage: portable (water bottles), larger containers (five-gallon refillable jugs), and longterm (55-gallon water drums, each enough to last one person almost a month, if space allows).

QUICK TIP: “Get 55-gallon drums to collect rainwater from your roof to water plants or to wash,” said Snyder. Rainwater isn’t safe to drink without proper treatment.

Purification

Rawles recommends having two water filters: a larger home filtration system, such as a Big Berkey ($367), and a compact filter for a bugout bag, such as a Katadyn Pocket Filter ($350) or the very affordable LifeStraw ($20). Kylene warns that LifeStraws require significant suction to work, so they may be difficult for kids or the elderly to use.

Snyder likes water purifiers from LifeSaver and Sawyer, as well the Grayl GeoPress bottle ($100) for on the go. It “gives you crystal clear drinking water,” he said, and has a companion fire-safe nesting cup you can purchase for an option to boil water.

You’ll want a filter that’s rated to remove both biological and chemical contaminants. Check how many gallons it will disinfect to make sure it fits your needs.

QUICK TIP: In an emergency, “sometimes the water that we have access to will taste nasty,” Kylene said, despite being safe. Consider adding powdered drink mixes to your storage plan; flavoring the water can help it go down.

BUILD AN EMERGENCY FOOD PANTRY

Stock Up on What You Already Eat

Aim to have one to three months of food stored for your family as a starting goal.

“Keep it very simple,” Bedford said. “You want to stock up on things that are shelf-stable, or stored without refrigeration. Canned foods are a great place to start.”

The key is to buy what your family already eats. “You don’t need to spend money on the fancy stuff,” Stelzer said. He remembers fielding calls from customers in the aftermath of the Y2K scare trying to “sell their 30 to 50 pounds of wheat they bought in fear—because they didn’t even eat wheat.”

Kylene recommends making a list of your family’s favorite recipes. “Take the seven dinners, the seven lunches, the seven breakfasts that your family normally eats; list all of those ingredients; and then multiply it out so that you can have a three-month supply.” Shop sales, and rotate your stash, meaning use and replenish your supply as you go.

Buying in bulk will save you money, too. “Instead of buying one-pound or two-pound bags of rice, start buying it in 20-pound bags. The per-serving cost is less than half as much,” said Rawles.

Make sure your supply is nutritionally balanced: “Some kind of greens, oils and fats, protein, and carbs for energy,” Stelzer said. Don’t forget salt and your favorite spices—“all the things that make it worth eating.”

Keep your stash cool, dry, and sealed.

Canned goods last longer than their labels say; some food banks will accept them five years past their “best by” dates. But if the can is bulging, it smells off, or “you’re in any way thinking, ‘Hmm,’ I would throw it away,” Kylene said. She uses a Sharpie to label the tops of the cans with their “best by” years, so she can tell how old they are at a glance. New purchases always go in the back or on the top shelf, so older supplies are used first.

Dry goods are best stored in 5-gallon foodgrade plastic buckets with Mylar liners and oxygen-absorbing packets. Stelzer suggests vacuum-sealing foods that don’t keep as well, such as dried fruits.

Have Some Instant Meals

In a disaster situation, such as a hurricane, it’s worth having a small stash of packaged meals that are ready to eat or don’t need much preparation. “You don’t want to have to be trying to put together this grand meal,” Jonathan said. The Joneses freeze-dry their own food. Rawles keeps small supplies of Mountain House packaged meals and a few cases of MREs, and Snyder recommends nutrient-dense survival foods from My Patriot Supply.

Smart Buys

» Rice

» Pasta

» Canned foods

» Salt

» Beans

» Peas

» Lentils

» Oats

» Honey

» Powdered milk

» Potato flakes

» Dried and dehydrated fruit

» Onion flakes

» White and brown sugar

» Maple syrup

» Coconut oil

» Peanut butter

Sprout Your Greens

Sprouting seeds is “a very inexpensive way to provide your family with very nutritious greens,” Rawles said, especially for urban dwellers. Stelzer suggests two methods:

Sprout in water: Soak them in a tray or canning jar, add a screen, and “you’ll have sprouts in five days,” he said.

Grow in organic potting soil: Plant seeds like sunflowers, peas, wheatgrass, and buckwheat in trays and harvest when the sprouts are 1-inch tall. “It makes the most beautiful salad greens. We try to get two crops out of the soil and then compost the soil.”

Stories That Make You PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN

Rediscover the heart and soul of our nation with American Essence, a bimonthly magazine celebrating America’s rich tapestry of cultures and landscapes. You’ll find inspiring tales of courage, fascinating tidbits from history, expert tips for healthier living, and more. Meticulously curated and full of hopeful stories, each issue is a celebration of the American spirit.

AE Vol. 5 Issue 1–Preview

CONTENTS

First Look

Features

History

Arts & Letters

Lifestyle

AMERICAN ESSENCE BY BRIGHT MAGAZINE GROUP

Editor’s Note

SOCIAL CALENDAR

A Frosty Wine and Dine TAOS WINTER WINE FESTIVAL

Majestic Manatees

The Sound of Movies

CULTURE SHORTLIST

‘The Longest Day’

Tree Grows in Brooklyn’

‘Sight’

‘Destroyer Captain: The Life of Ernest E. Evans’

CHINA BEFORE COMMUNISM

Best Places to Experience Nature

Ride a Dog Sled in Lake Placid

are not included preview.

Feel the Heat in Steamboat Springs

Gaze at the Northern Lights in Fairbanks

Take a Tropical Retreat in Hana

Sail With Whales in Monterey

STEVE GUTTENBERG BEHIND THE SCENES

Heading to Hollywood

are not included preview.

are not included preview.

A Matter Style of

are not included preview.

Mission: Possible

Quitting Is Not an Option

Saved My Life’

not included preview.

Paying It Forward

A Day in the Life of EJ Snyder

TIME TO GET TO WORK

First in War, Peace, and Farming

A Scientific Approach to Farming

George Washington, Inventor

Washington the Rose Breeder

Choosing the Plow Over the Crown

are not included preview.

The President’s ‘Resolute’ Desk

Sailing the Ghost Ship

Returning the Favor

are not included preview.

Why America Is Worthy of Our Love

My Family Roots

Lessons From Grampa

Growing in Harmony

Noble Intentions, Wrong Location

Putting a Name to Her Practice

are not included preview.

BE READY FOR ANYTHING

START HERE

Checklist at a Glance

THE RIGHT MINDSET

MEET

THE EXPERTS

WATER IS THE FIRST PRIORITY

Storage

Purification

BUILD AN EMERGENCY FOOD PANTRY

Stock Up on What You Already Eat

Have Some Instant Meals

Smart Buys

Sprout Your Greens

Stories That Make You PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN