Vol. 6 No 14
Sweet Stories!
Memories of Sugaring By Donnie Miller
I was so excited when it was time to tap the maple trees. This was back in the days before power tappers. Dad would drill all the holes by hand and we boys almost could not keep up putting the spiles in, hanging the buckets and putting the lids on. Mom always saved a sugar-cured ham for this occasion and we had ham sandwiches in the sugarhouse along with hard-boiled eggs. All parts of the woods had names like the Ann Woods and the Outside Loop … and, of course we had a tree called Old Faithful. A part of the woods was called Fillmore as the trees in that part of the woods always filled buckets to running over. Ah, the memories!
What Tree? By Jacquie Foote
There is an old story about a newcomer to Geauga who bought property that included a sugar bush. Being recently retired, the man, called Grandpa Jim by his family, decided to do the sugaring himself with the able help of an Amish neighbor, Mose, also a grandfather (and known in the Amish Community for his sense of humor). Mose took Jim through the stand of trees and pointed out how to tell if a tree was a likely candidate for producing sap to boil. Jim, as owner of the sugar bush, decided exactly which trees should be tapped and Mose did the tapping and the bucket hanging. The two grandfathers worked happily together. Laughter was frequently heard in the woods, for they both loved a good joke and told them often. After the second season, Jim began to fuss about one tree. It just wasn’t producing like the others. He urged Mose to change where the taps were placed, he wondered aloud if that tree was somehow diseased. Finally, at the beginning of the fifth season, Jim asked Mose if he thought
Mar. 4, 2015
the tree should just be cut down. Mose said he didn’t think so, the tree looked healthy enough. Jim said, “But it doesn’t produce sap like the other Sugar Maples!” With a twinkle in his eye, Mose replied, “That’s because it’s a Basswood tree.” Actually, sap can be collected from about five different species of maple, but it’s the sugar maple (acer saccharum) that produces the most flavorful syrup. Sap in most sugar maples is about 2 percent sugar, but some trees produce a sap with as high as 6 percent sugar which means these trees yield three times as much syrup as a typical sugar maple. Naturally, efforts are made by syrup producers to identify them. One thing to look for is a more exposed crown due to less blockage from the Sun by neighboring trees. Sugar maple trees are only found in the northeastern and north central areas of the US. They occur naturally as far north as Nova Scotia and as far south as the Carolinas. They can’t survive in areas where summer temperatures frequently reach 100 degrees F or where the winter temperatures regularly drop below 0 degrees F. Maple trees should be approximately 12 inches in diameter (about 40 years old) before they are tapped, and no individual tree should have more than three taps. The taps can be placed anywhere on the trunk but for convenience they’re usually 2 to 4 feet above the ground. Trees are tapped at different places each year. The tap Continued on page 7
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Frieda B. Miller (3) Sara Jane Mast Eli Troyer (85) Jonas (Yogi) Miller (76) Lydia G. Bender (3) Tillie Bender (77) Mrs. Homer Kathryn Yoder (30) Albert Miller (26) Bobby Miller (24) Lydia G. Bender (3) Robert Yutzy (9) Nelson L. Miller (43) Sadie B. Miller (12) Mrs. Aden Susie Miller (27) Karin W. Miller (12) Lukas Mast (Marty) (7) Jake Mast (Marty) (18) Paul D. Miller (20) Bobby Miller (24) Andrew O. Yoder (12) Mrs. Anna Hershberger (72) Mrs. Susan Hershberger (46) Aden C. Yoder (3) Jonathan M. Yutzy (3) Uria Bender (40) Nora Mae Kurtz (25) Mrs. Wally (Ann) Byler (60) Billy M. Miller (20) Samuel E. Byler (17) John (Wayne) Detweiler (21) Kay Emma Yoder (3) Albert L. Miller (46) Lucinda (Leroy) Coblentz (16) (Milo’s) Mary Ann Miller (80) Vernon Hershberger (48) Barbara Ann Hershberger (21) Emily M. Yutzy (1) Betty Miller (Mrs. Bill) Marty Mast
Jonathan F. Mullet (21) Andrew F. Mullet (22) Michael Miller (Rob) (3) Bill Mullet (40) Sarah L. Miller (25) Freeman E. Miller (64) Emma L. Miller (15) Erma L. Miller (15) Sam Tina Miller (27) Mrs. Melvin MaryAnn Miller (26)
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✏STORIES Memories of gardens ✏JOKES Good April Fools Day jokes ✏RECIPES Recipes good for early spring eating
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Feb. 12 John M. Miller (29) Feb. 18 Robbie S. Miller (4) Feb. 23 Wayne Mullet (A1) (11) Feb. 23 Kenny S. Miller (5) Feb. 25 Maria F. Mullet (3) Feb. 27 Edna Mae Mullet (11) Feb. 27 Mrs. Joey Lena Miller (22) Feb. 28 Joey M. Miller (23) March 3 Adam M. Miller (6) March 3 Matthew M. Miller (11)
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Publisher: the Fontanelle group inc v Editorial Coordinators: Jacquie Foote, Joe and Sarah Miller Staff Writers: Katherine M. Byler, Barbara Ann Detweiler and Donnie Miller Contributing Writers: William Bender, Daniel Fisher, Ellen Hershberger, Rachel Miller, Linda Weaver and Susan Yoder Mailing Address: P.O. Box 626, Middlefield, OH 44062 Phone: 440-632-0782 v 440-834-8900 v Fax: 440-834-8933 Published Monthly
Jan 21
In This Issue ... Birthdays | Anniversaries..................................02 Bits and Pieces..............................................05,07 Books in Review.................................................08 Children’s Immunization Clinics...................02 Coffee Break with Sue......................................05 Greetings from Garrettsville..........................06 Greetings from the Bookmobile..................08 From our Schools.........................................09,10 Hello from Amish Crossing Corner..............03 Hello from Huntsburg......................................04 Hello from Plain Community.........................05 Howdy from West Farmington.....................05 In Memoriam......................................................06 Katherine’s Korner.............................................04 Lines by Linda.....................................................03 Mom’s Diary.........................................................04 Parkman Pathways............................................06 Recipes............................................................12,13 Tell Me a Story....................................................08 Wanted..................................................................02
Children’s Immunization Clinics Geauga County General Health District hosts local children’s immunization clinics. Immunizations for children and adolescents are free of charge for all Geauga County residents regardless of income. For non-Geauga residents, there is a $5 fee per child, per visit.
MIDDLEFIELD CLINIC (Will be cancelled when Cardinal Schools are closed.)
Wednesday, Mar. 11 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Clinic will be held at St. Lucy Mission, 16280 Kinsman Road (Route 87 east), Middlefield. Wednesday, Mar. 18 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Clinic will be held at St. Lucy Mission, 16280 Kinsman Road (Route 87 east), Middlefield. Thursday, Mar. 19 from 3 to 6 p.m. Clinic will be held at St. Lucy Mission, 16280 Kinsman Road (Route 87 east), Middlefield.
In Loving Memory Ella Hershberger Fannie Hershberger Ervin P. Weaver Emma (Jonas Em) Byler
March 1, 1919 - May 24, 2000 March 25, 1931 - March 22, 2002 Nov. 10, 1936 - Feb. 11, 1981 April 20, 1921 - Feb. 14, 2009
TROY CLINIC
Wednesday, Apr. 22 at 11:30 a.m. No clinic in March. Troy Community Center, 1395D Main Market Road, east of Route 700.
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Plain Country of Northeast Ohio | Mar. 4, 2015
By Barbara Ann Detweiler
By Sarah Miller
A son, Timothy, to Daniel and Ida Miller. Grandparents are Mel Yoders and Andy Miller. A daughter, Cindy, to Norman and Linda Miller. Grands are Melbern Millers and Dave Millers. Timothy Byler, age 3, son of Raymond and Martha Byler is in the hospital with a burst appendix.
Feb. 18, 2015: Brrr … winter has us in its icy grip with its extreme cold. But, hang in there; this too shall pass. Maybe, by the time warm weather rolls around, I will be all healed up from falling on ice, breaking my shoulder. The doctor said a 3-week healing time. So, I am doing lots of reading and trying to write letters. At least, it is my left arm that is broken. Our overnight visitors last Friday night (Feb.13), were sisters Clara and Eli Kauffman and Sylvia and Albert Miller. They came down from Mio, Mich. for Albert’s brother Robert’s funeral. He died unexpectedly on Tuesday evening, Feb. 10. Our sympathy goes out to the family, after losing both parents within four months. We have been having quite a bit of company since I came home from the hospital; this really helps time pass by quickly. Our visitors last night were son Joe and Saloma and two girls, son Wayne and children, and son Ray. Born to Paul and Lorene Miller a daughter, Kaitlyn. Grandparents are Marvin and Clara Byler and Mrs. John Mat Miller. Friday, Feb. 20, is the annual Spell Down at Streetcar Run School. It was moved from Feb. 13 due to the funeral of Robert Miller.
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Feb. 21, 2015: Dear Friends, Greeting you with love on this cold, wintry day. We sure are having our share of sub-zero temperatures lately. I hope everyone can stay well. Our old house is rather hard to heat when it stays cold for so long. A daughter names Rosalie came to stay with John Jr. and Esther Slabaugh. She was only 5 pounds 14 ounces and is welcomed by numerous siblings. Grands are John Sr. and Mary, and Mose and Ada Miller. Greats are Mrs. Joe (Ada) Miller and Mandy and Chris Coblentz from Indiana. Church was at Marty and Sara Jane Masts last Sunday when it was 9 degrees at 7:45 a.m. We got pretty cold walking back their long driveway (4/10 of a mile). The only visitors there were three boys, friends of Jakes and John Pauls. They were Robert (Mose) Miller, Adam (Ben) Detweiler, and David Jr. Hostetler. Thanks for coming boys! Several families and women and children were missing. You missed out on a good lunch. Erwin Gingerich Jr. was a little better this week when Jake visited. But he seems to have a lot of fluid build-up.
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John Slabaugh Sr. was to have ear surgery Thursday. It being so cold, we didn’t go see, but hopefully, it was successful. He needs another surgery later on. Nephew Robert Troyer finally came home from Cleveland Clinic after heart surgery and a pacemaker. He had a 10-day stay. We hope he will soon be back to his usual routine. He lost a lot of weight since his first surgery. John Troyer (brother-in-law) is also having his ups and downs. I think some warm weather would make everyone feel better! Marvin Detweilers and Urie Jr. Bylers left for Florida Monday on Pioneer Trails. My brother Freemans are there, too. It’s a little cool there this week, but they’re hoping it will warm up tomorrow. We have church next and it sure is hard to clean in this weather. Our entrance and upstairs are getting a lick and a promise. It is about 40 degrees upstairs and 20 degrees in the entrance. Church is for Roy and Karen Burkholder March 1 and for us the 15th. Hope to see some of you there! Wishing you all a warm, blessed week.
Chuckle:
—Daily Specials
“Family Fun Center”
Thursday morning: The temperature is only 7 degrees at 1 p.m. My company this morning was neighbor Ada Schlabach, daughter Sara and Joe Bricker and two little girls. They brought tea and delicious cookies. Pretty soon, we will have to go on a diet if folks continue to bring us goodies! Thanks, you all. Our company last night was sister Edna and Bill, their son Marty and family, Ellen Hershberger, Noah and Barbara Yutzy, sons Perry, Richard and Joe and some of their families, and Eli and Alta Byler. Again, they brought coffee and snacks. If plans hold out, son Ray, Judy and 2 children, their daughter Ruth Ann, John Mark and two little boys, and Joe and I want to leave for Mio, Mich. to visit daughter Betty and family, coming home Sunday afternoon. Hopefully, the weather won’t be too bad. Mrs. Simon Yoder is still being cared for at her daughter Mary and Abner Miller’s on Mumford Road. I am sure company is welcome. Not being able to do much at present, I have been going through a scrapbook Joe’s Mom put together in 1967. Very interesting. You all have a good week. Think Spring!
Three elderly couples were having tea one day. They were chatting when one of the men, trying to get a chuckle, said to his wife, “Pass the honey, Honey!” A moment later the second man said, “Pass the sugar, Sugar!” This got an even bigger laugh, so the third man, although not quite as clever or quickwitted as the other two, decided to join in the fun. He waited for the perfect opportunity, cleared his throat, and confidently said, “Pass the tea, Bag!”
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Katherine’s
Plain Country of Northeast Ohio | Mar. 4, 2015
Korner
Mom’s Diary
By Katherine Byler
By Barbara Ann Detweiler
Goodbye, Zucchini. Goodbye, Poinsettia. Zucchini got tired of waiting to be cooked and Poinsettia just didn’t want to hang in there for another 296 days. I didn’t blame it one bit. We didn’t have snow for Christmas 2014, but it looks like it may last now till Christmas 2015. Enough of that! We’ve been visiting here and there … by car, thankfully. To (John) Mat Miller’s one evening with our church friends, to Harvey Byler’s one evening with brothers Crist, Wally and David and wives and Dan P. and Esther Hostetler. Also to Uncle Dan C, and Sarah Byler’s with Jonas (Yogi) and Mary Ann Miller joining us there. By the way, the latter couple is planning to be in Florida in time to celebrate his 76th birthday on March 5. Oh yes, John and Betty Weaver visited Harvey B. and Lester M. Mullet with us. We spent one evening at brother Crist and Barbara Ann’s with brother Allen joining us. Barbara Ann has trouble with her heart, is doctoring and not always able to get away. Doctor wants to do heart ablation to correct the A-fib. Hubby’s not up to par these days. He doesn’t care for more cold weather. Guess we should head for Florida, too. He hurts; he aches; he’s cold; he’s tired … and turning 71 on March 1. My, that sounds old, but he wasn’t planning on slowing down yet. Mel D. Byler and John C. Miller had a chance to be substitute teachers on the day of the Spelldown, February 13. FRIDAY, the THIRTEENTH! The children seemed to enjoy the day really well. This was at Acorn Acres School on Penniman Road in North Bloomfield. (Mel was extra nice this
year and bought flowers for his wife on Valentines Day. An alarm clock of her own is what Leah (Leroy) Coblentz desired. Oh cheers, she got one, but there’s a catch. She’s almost 8 and already knows they’re not so great. She said the clock is ANNOYING and she’d like to SMASH it! Oh, yes; Les Mullet says he’s not mowing lawn anymore until he’s 50. He turns 50 in April and, no doubt, will be mowing grass soon after that occasion. Sorry about your luck, Les! My, we’ve had quite the winter. Down to 24 below zero one morning and we thought surely the mercury couldn’t go much lower. The same week it dipped way down to 28 below one morning. Everyone’s anxious for warmer weather, and not just the syrup makers! Was so sorry to hear of writer Sarah Miller’s misfortune, breaking her arm quite badly. Hope she’s soon good as new. Poor little sheep … can’t recall if it was a poor little black sheep or a poor little white sheep. Grandchildren John Mark, Alan Ray and Paul were given a little lamb to feed and try to save from greener pastures. I believe their Dad even went to feed it in the night. Nevertheless, the next morning, it was cold and still … kind of a sad tale (tail?). Winter woes … cars getting stuck … long driveways kind of iffy. A car got hung up in Jr. Stoltzfus’s driveway. So Joe Bricker came with his loader and he got stuck. Whoa! Here comes Mark (David Lee) Miller with the tow motor … now what? Yes! He became lodged. A pickup truck came along and helped along till they were all freed.
Saturday, Jan. 24: Betty’s 11th birthday. I gave her a Lego set to put together, which she spent about 8 hours doing. This afternoon, we went to the viewing of Jake Byler who died of cancer. It is such a shock to us all, and he will be greatly missed in the neighborhood and school. Sunday, Jan. 25: We attended the funeral today. It was a large one and the weather was COLD. Andrew and some of his buddies went skiing behind a pony this afternoon. Monday, Jan. 26: I went to visit my Aunt Barbara Ann who was in the hospital a few times recently. My Mom, Aunt Betty and some of my crazy cousins were there also. Tuesday, Jan. 27: Katherine went to get the groceries all by herself. She loved it! She did a good job. Wednesday, Jan. 28: We got a new stove … a cookstove! Now maybe we can keep all our corners warm. I love the idea of cooking and baking with it. Thursday, Jan. 29: My knees are my main pain at this point. So, I look like a very old granny, teetering and tottering around. Once I’m up and going in the morning, I do dishes, fold the small pieces of laundry, get breakfast for Wayne and Andrew and whatever else I can before sitting down for a long break. Friday, Jan. 30: Wayne went to a large benefit tonight. There were oodles of people there and he came home a bit early. Saturday, Jan. 31: A quiet Saturday. Everyone had their chores to do and then, this afternoon, they had free time. Katherine, Betty and Norma went outside and made a snow tunnel. Sunday, Feb. 1: Went to church. It warmed up, so we didn’t have to contend with the bitter cold. We did have to drive through lots of snow, though. It was a winter wonderland. Monday, Feb. 2: There is snow everywhere. Wayne got up early to go plow. We have piles everywhere. The kids love it. Tuesday, Feb. 3: Katherine was helper at school today. She enjoys it. Wayne and I went to the parent/ teacher meeting at school tonight. Wednesday, Feb. 4: The girls made three snowmen and it snowed so much afterward that they’re half buried. Thursday, Feb. 5: Still cold and snowy. Friday, Feb. 6: We went to the Special Ed. Auction and Betty won the raffle which was a scooter. She was very happy. Saturday, Feb. 7: All the cleaning was done in the last couple days, so today we baked, sewed and relaxed.
Hello from Huntsburg By William Bender Feb. 19, 2015: A nice cold day here in Huntsburg. The sun is out and that is a welcome sight. Everyone knows that we had a cold February. And we still have one week to go. The maple sugar season is just around the corner. It has to warm up and get some snow out of the woods before we can tap. If it doesn’t warm up, we will still have snow in July! ( Read more about my sugaring memories on page 1.) Son Gideons are on the way home from Florida. The children are looking for them this afternoon. Gideon went down for surgery. He had his third surgery on
Tuesday and started home on Wednesday. He’ll come home to 0 degree weather. After being in Florida for two weeks, it is going to be cold! Later: Gideons came home from Florida; they think it is cold here. Getting on the bus without a coat and then getting off the bus in 0 degrees! I hope he stays by the fire until it warms up. Sure hope he doesn’t get a cold. This is our coldest morning so far at 17 degrees below. The sun is coming out so nice and bright. Spring can’t be too far off. We have to get rid of the snow before we have to worry about cutting grass.
Sudoku on page 12
Sunday, Feb. 8: Went to church and then home to relax. Wayne’s sister Elizabeth and hubby and their two married children and families came and brought supper. That was a treat. Monday, Feb. 9: I got up with lots of pain this morning. Most of it gradually subsided during the day. I went to do some errands. Tuesday, Feb. 10: The neighbor ladies and I went to visit with Bertha, the widow of Jake who died a few weeks ago. Katherine gave me a ride with the wagon. Wednesday, Feb. 11: I went to Mom’s By Jaime A. Fisher, RN/DON for the day. Sister Elizabeth was also there Middlefield Care CenterDonnie. along with little 4-year-old Dad is struggling with his Scleroderma. He doesn’t feel wellwork at all. Labor the hardest you will ever Love. Thursday, Feb. 12: Betty and Norma were excited because they had a Valentine’s Party at school. Katherine and I went to get groceries. Friday, Feb. 13: The schools’ annual Spelling Bee was held today. We have no 8th grader, so I didn’t go. It was nice to be home … all day! Saturday, Feb. 14: I’m still struggling with my painful knees. My finger joints want to swell up, too. I think this cold weather has settled deep into my body! Sunday, Feb. 15: We had 20 degrees below zero this morn … too cold to go anywhere, so we stayed home the entire day. Of course, the kids got bored, but they just had to grin and bear it. Monday, Feb. 16: It is still very cold and there is no school today. Tuesday, Feb. 17: We had hot lunch at school today. It is still cold, but a little better than it was yesterday. Wednesday, Feb. 18: Katherine and I went out to visit with nephew Paul’s wife, Katie. They have a new little baby boy. Mom and Elizabeth were there and, also, sisterin-law Mary Jane and niece Barbara and children. We had a good day. Thursday, Feb. 19: I’m still having quite a bit of pain … is it this weather? Friday, Feb. 20: Brrr! It was 23 degrees below this morn. No school again. There is enough work to keep them busy here. Keeping the fires burning is a full time job. Wayne had to bring me some pain pills before I could get out of bed. I slept very little. So I’ll probably feel sluggish today.
MCC’s Jaime Fisher With a Holiday Wish
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Chuckle: Jill’s car was unreliable and she called John for a ride every time it broke down. One day, John got yet another such call. “What happened this time?” he asked. “My brakes went out,” Jill said, “Can you come and get me?” “Where are you? John asked. “I’m in the drugstore,” Jill responded. “And where’s the car?” John asked. Jill replied, “It’s in here with me.”
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Plain Country of Northeast Ohio | Mar. 4, 2015
Coffee Break with Sue
Howdy from West Farmington
By Susan Yoder
By Mrs. Rudy Kathryn Detweiler Feb. 19, 2015: Winter howls but can’t get in. On these long cold, chilly days, munch popcorn, enjoy coffee in the beauty of the blaze. Drop more logs into the fireplace, put some pillows on the floor. Read some books of poetry while snow is piled up to the door! Let’s hope that by the time the Middlefield Post arrives, we’ll be enjoying warmer weather. Most of this week, it’s been frigid temperatures of zero and below. Tonight our good friends and (used to be) neighbors, Paul and Amanda Gingerich of Georgia Road came to spend the evening with us and Son Martys. Their daughter Linda and Raymond and four boys were also along. All too soon, it was time to go home. It made a short evening … and special!
Feb. 20, 2015: A happy hello to all you “winter weary” people. I think it’s safe to say we are all looking forward to spring, especially the elderly and ailing “housebound”. Noah and LeAnna Miller named their baby Emily Kristine. This was omitted from my last letter. My Mom, Mrs. Crist Barbara Ann Miller, hasn’t been feeing the best with her AFIB. She has an appointment with an ablation doctor soon. (Betsy) Dan C. Byler isn’t doing so well healthwise either. He is the lone survivor of that generation of Betsy’s, which was my paternal Grandma’s family.
Cooking is scarce here since all of us are on the NutriMost Fat Loss Program by Dr. James Leone in Boardman. We heard the huge benefit auction at the Middlefield Sale Barn totaled $190,000 for Bob and Fannie Mae. We got there a little late and there were no empty chairs, so I went back home with the driver. Yesterday, Robert and Alice Rutan picked up Rudy and me and Leah and Kathy and went up to Burton Health Care to visit Mel and Fannie Yoder (Bishop) of Parkman. Fannie fell and broke her hip and had surgery at Geauga Hospital. Mel faithfully stays there with her all the time and has a bed where he sleeps in her room.
Hello from the Plain Community
Bits and Pieces of the Past
By Donnie Miller
Submitted by Sarah Miller
A cold Feb. 20, 2015: Greetings to all Plain Country readers. We are having real winter weather! Will it make for a better maple season this year? Although the temperature has been very cold, the sun does shine which makes for better moods. We are thankful for our warm houses. Our hearts go out to the children of the Robert J. Miller family. Their father, Robert, passed away on Feb. 10. Funeral was on a cold morning, the 13th. Robert was laid to rest beside his wife Nora Mae who passed away Oct. 22, 2014. Within four months time, the children were without parents. Received a phone call from my sister on the evening of the 8th from St. Ignatius, Mont. As we are having cold, the west was having warmer than normal temperatures.
Taken from Grandma’s Scrapbook, 1967 Millard Fillmore installed the first bathtub in the White House. It was a huge tub made of mahogany wood with a zinc lining. In those days, regular bathing was frowned upon. In fact some people thought it downright unhealthy. For years, the city of Boston had a law against taking baths except on the advice of the doctor. In Philadelphia, it was illegal to take a bath in winter. There was much gossip about President Fillmore taking baths frequently and fearlessly. President Taft was responsible for planting the cherry trees along the Potomac River. Andrew Jackson was the first president to travel by train, and Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first to fly while president. Warren Harding’s election was the first to be broadcast over the radio. He was also the first president to ride to his inauguration in an automobile.
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By Mrs. Rudy Kathryn Detweiler I sit in the warmth of the fireside’s glow, As the cold lingers on and the north winds blow. I’m dreaming of gardens and flowers’ display. For the seed catalog came to our house today. Forgotten is winter with all of its chill. Inside spring is bursting, its joys to fulfill. Small packets of seeds with pictures so bright, Keep me dreaming here by the warm firelight.
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Kathryn said her tulips were 4 inches high already! Can you imagine? Wife Nancy will start her sixth round of Chemo pills on Feb. 23 (Temozolmide). The doctor wants her to take eight treatments and then will come up with a plan to treat her lymphoma. Meanwhile, she is gaining some strength and waiting for warmer weather as we all are. Saturday, the girls wanted to take Mom shopping as Mother was not able to go at all during the Christmas season. Plans were made to go to Mentor on Saturday, Feb. 14. Well, it started snowing that morning and they stopped in Chardon at the new Bob Evans for breakfast and that is as far as they got. Maybe some other time.
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Recent visitors at my parents, Crist Millers, were Joseph W. Bylers, Dan P. Hostetlers, Jonas (Yogi) Millers, Wallace J. Millers, David J. S. Millers and last but not least Allen J. Miller. They were treated to homemade ice cream. Son Joey is laid up with a broken foot. We are awaiting results from a CAT scan to see if the ligaments need repaired. I have very little news, so I will get this in the mailbox and, hopefully, I can write more next time. Stay warm!
Chuckle:
st
This fellow walked into a doctor’s office and the receptionist asked him what he had. He said, “Shingles.” So she took his name, address and medical insurance number and told him to have a seat. Ten minutes later, a nurse’s aid asked him what he had and he said, “Shingles.” So she led him to an examining room, took his height, weight and medical history and told him to wait. An hour later, a nurse came in and asked him what he had. He said, “Shingles.” So she gave him a blood test, and electrocardiogram, took his blood pressure and told him to undress and wait for the doctor. A half hour later, the doctor came in and asked him what he had. He said, “Shingles.” The doctor asked, “Where?” He said, “Outside on the truck. Where do you want them?”
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Plain Country of Northeast Ohio | Mar. 4, 2015
Parkman Pathways
Frozen
By Ellen Hershberger Saturday, Jan. 24: We were to town and I stopped off to assist a friend with her shower. In the evening, we had family time together. Sunday, Jan. 25: A quiet morning and then we visited Linda at the hospital. In the evening, we walked to neighbor Mennos’ to see the newborn. Monday, Jan. 26: Happy Birthday, Aunt Sara (Post scribe). A pretty normal day, doing some errands after work. Then, about 14 of the singles group took supper to Elmer and Marie Weaver. Tuesday, Jan. 27: Today, I had the pleasure of being in the school room “helping” at Tinker’s Creek. Later, singers were at the home of John Henry Yoder. Wednesday, Jan. 28: Today saw work, back treatment and doing payroll. Did you all notice the beautiful hoarfrost and sunshine this morning? Thursday, Jan. 29: We had a good day at school and the rain and big snowflakes added to the joy of the day. Friday, Jan. 30: After a morning of work, I rested and then went to Burton Health Care and stayed the night with Aunt Fannie. Saturday, Jan. 31: I stayed until about 11 a.m. and then went to town, shopped for a friend and helped her a while until 4 p.m. Stayed by the stove all evening. Sunday, Feb. 1: I stayed home from church today, as did little Jonathan here. Was sorry to hear Sara (scribe) fell on the way to church and broke her arm. She said that while she was in the ER, five other people came in who had fallen on ice. Monday, Feb. 2: My back pain is much less after a treatment today following a flare up. This evening, our visiting group shared in the joy by Marty and Barbara when two of their grandsons from Berkholz visited them as well. Tuesday, Feb. 3: Regina came and did some of my heavy cleaning for me. Sister and I shared Chinese take-out with Gertrude and Sara for their birthdays. We ate at Sara’s house since she’s laid up. Wednesday, Feb. 4 - Friday, Feb. 6: Combining some short working hours with staying with Aunt Fannie one night, plus keeping the fire going. It surely is a winter wonderland out there. Today (Friday) Aunt and scribe Sara was to have surgery on her broken arm. Sunday, Feb. 8: Family members and I went to University Hospital and got friend
“Let us not forget that the cultivation of the earth is the most important labor of man. When tillage begins, other arts will follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of civilization.” ~Daniel Webster
“Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them.” ~A. A. Milne
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By Jaime A. Fisher, RN/DON Middlefield Care Center
Marian dressed ready to bring her home. Then she had a weak spell with breathing problems, so the nurses put her back in bed. We are now waiting to have her admitted to Rehab. Monday, Feb. 9 - Tuesday, Feb. 10: Don’t like to write about myself much, but the back flare-up is much better again after a few treatments and lightening the coal load in the pail. We had an enjoyable day of fellowship with brother Levis’ marrieds at the home where Mom and I lived for 13 years. Tonight, our singing group sang by Bill and Ellen Miller of 168. We had icy places to contend with. This too shall pass! Wednesday, Feb. 11 – Thursday, Feb. 12: The ones next door are sick, so we try to help where we can. Had an enjoyable day in school, hopefully “helping” with grading and such. Friday, Feb. 13: Shocking news of the passing of Robert Miller. Did not hear of it in time to arrange to attend viewing or funeral. We visited friend Marian in Cleveland hospital this afternoon and were deeply saddened to see her in such suffering. On the way home, we stopped at the auction Barn and could hardly wade through the mass of people to get to the food line. Saturday, Feb. 14: The highlight of today was the gathering of some of the Alaskan Tour people … four from Canada, six from Holmes County, a couple from Columbiana County and the eight of us here in Geauga. We spent the afternoon at Spike and Rhoda’s and partook of their homemade ice cream and other goodies. Sunday, Feb. 15: A big part of today was spent at University Hospital with our friends the Coxes. Friend Marian passed on about midnight. Monday, Feb. 16 – Tuesday, Feb. 17: Pretty normal routines, “helped?” at school Tuesday. Our singles group had supper with Mrs. Ida Miller in her new upstairs apartment. Wednesday, Feb. 18 – Thursday, Feb. 19: The three of us joined others visiting Joe and Sara Wednesday evening and then I spent the night at Burton Health Care with Aunt Fannie. After a long nap Thursday afternoon, I, of course, had to ”play” with food. So I made molasses cookies and Butterscotch tapioca, two of my favorites. May God be with us all always.
Heidi Hoe from the Middlefield Care Center. Is it cold enough for everyone? It surely is too cold for our patients. We had a nine-day period of no babies. Some may call that a dry spell, I’m calling it a deep freeze. I was just starting to feel very unneeded when we broke the grips of this deep freeze and started into a snowfall of newborns. As the Care Center staff dug their way out of the last days of February, there was an abundance of deliveries and we are eagerly plunging into March with a 17 baby prediction. Join me in congratulating our families with the most visits to the Care Center. January saw a tie between Arlene Miller and Betty Miller, both with six visits. In February, Katie Byler swept through the frozen competition and won with eight visits. We are so blessed to have families from all over this community showering us with support. In celebration of 25 years of healthy Amish babies, the 175th baby born this year will be free of charge. A local supporter of the Center offered to foot the bill if the record number is reached. Future December moms Holiday Savings made easy. As I wrap up an exhausting day, I’m thankful that the clock reads 1:42 a.m. and not 5:42 a.m. Sleep is in my future. I leave you with this quote about growth and working together by the founder of JCPenney, “Growth is never by mere chance; it’s by forces working together.” I will continue doing my best to ensure the Care Center is here to serve many more generations. I believe through steady growth and responsible stewardship the Center will continue to flourish. Thank you for the best job in the world. Labor the hardest work you will ever love.
Greetings from Garrettsville By Rachel Miller Feb. 19, 2015: The weather is cold and snowy. We have 3 degrees now at a little after 7 p.m. Today was windy and seemed colder. I don’t think the temperature went up more than three above zero all day. It’s nice to sit and watch the birds (we have lots of them) … and do puzzles. We finished a 1000 piece one of a team of Belgium horses and we glued it and put it in a frame. Ivan will hang it in the shop. Then we did a 500-piece puzzle of a cardinal in a day or so and are working on a 1000 piece Amish country puzzle from Lancaster now. We had a tragedy here in the neighborhood when our neighbor’s house burned down. It was just a little ways up from us on the other side of the road. They are English people and were probably both at work. The two boys stay with the grandmother when there is no school. The grandmother had been out at 2 p.m. to let the dogs out and she said everything seemed OK then. It must have happened soon after, as we saw the smoke before 3 p.m. when the fire trucks came. I think they had Garrettsville, Windham and Hiram. We don’t know what started it. The poor dogs probably went with the house. It was windy, too. The house is a total loss. Tomorrow, I hope to do some cleaning and bake oatmeal bread. I have some reading to do yet tonight.
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Plain Country of Northeast Ohio | Mar. 4, 2015
Bits and Pieces of the Past
Continued from page 1/ Sweet Stories
Submitted by Katherine Byler
hole should slant slightly upwards so that the sap will slowly drain into the containers. A tap hole may yield about 10 gallons of sap a season, however, some taps produce more than 70 gallons of sap in a single year.* It takes an average of 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of maple syrup. (* These trees are what Donnie Miller refers to as Fillmore Trees.)
From the Budget, Aug. 8, 1979, by Uria R. Byler The neighbors are really showing a great effort in working on Hidden View School. At the rate it’s being built, it should be ready for Sept. 4. The teachers will be Martha D. Miller and Ruth Byler. There is inside work at the school from now on, as the outside is nearly finished. My grandfather, Yost K. Byler, who died in 1948 at the age of 91, never rode in a car or bought a gallon of gas. In about 1925 during Christmas vacation, the parents of the neighborhood wanted to hold Amish School in Culbertson Corner School. In looking for a teacher, they chose Granddad. I was janitor in the school; it was my job to keep fire in the furnace and see to it that the school building was clean, all for $2 per month. I can still see that venerable old patriarch come walking across the field from his home that first morning after the schoolhouse was warm. The first day, he told us we’ll concentrate on Matthew: 24, and anyone who can recite this by heart will get one half-dollar. At the end of the first week, old Granddad had to shell out quite a few half-dollars. He was nearly 70 at the time, but his mind was sharp. There were no monkeyshines in Granddad’s school. The only time he ever was sick before his last illness was when they lived on top of Mespo Hill where the Grover Farm is. He contracted a case of typhoid fever and was quite sick. So they got Dr. Ida Peffers of Middlefield to come out. At that time, she drove a pair of frisky blacks in her buggy to make house calls. After looking him over, she put him on a strict diet. One thing Granddad always was very fond of was his home-cured ham, and this she included on her “don’t eat” list. He went along with all the forbidden food on the list, but told her, ”You can’t tell me not to eat ham, because I’m going to.” They got into quite a hassle about it, but Granddad wouldn’t budge. Finally, Dr. Peffers told him, “Go ahead and eat it, but if it kills you, don’t blame me. You’re the most bull-headed man I’ve ever met.” He ate his ham and recovered nicely from his typhoid fever. Granddad must have had a good stomach, for he always said his stomach tells him what to eat, and if he felt like eating cookies or sweets between meals, he’d eat it and never had an upset stomach.
Sweet Memories By William Bender
In my short life, sugaring has really changed. Back in the 50s no one heard of tubing or bags; everyone used buckets . And we didn’t have enough lids for all buckets. It was faster without lids, but if it rained and the sap turned dark we had to dump it. We still did get rainwater in the sap and that made the dark syrup. I am not a cook. What recipes can I write? But I know one thing maple syrup is good on is ice cream. Dans make a lot of maple cream. You have to boil the syrup down to a certain degree, and then stir it till it sets up. It is too sweet for me.
A Sweet History By Jacquie Foote
In 1540, explorer Jacques Cartier saw some beautiful trees he had never seen before. They were sturdy with graceful leaves. Many stood more than 125 feet high and, if he had noticed any felled trees of this kind, he would have noticed the beautifully grained wood. If he had seen those trees in fall, he would have been awed by the splendor of their vibrant colors. That day he saw what we now call “North American maple trees and he had not seen them before because they are only found in the northeastern and north central areas of the United States and in that part of Canada called Ontario. It is not known who first learned how to make sugar from the sap of maple trees, but we do know that by the mid 16th century, Indians were making maple syrup and sugar and using these for barter near the Great Lakes and along the St. Lawrence River. The first written account of “sugaring” was by a French monk, Andre de Thevet, in 1557. The colonists learned from the Indians and in the early 1700s, many who owned property with a few maple trees would “sugar”, producing enough for the family. The Quakers’ horror of the slave labor used to make cane sugar led, in 1788, to their starting to produce maple sugar for commercial use as an alternative to the West Indian cane sugar. Thomas Jefferson joined the push in 1791 proclaiming maple sugar a homegrown alternative to the slave produced sugar. Interest in making enough maple sugar and syrup to sell, led to a series of inventions, the first being (in 1810) wooden spouts or sap spiles which, used with augers, replaced the “gashing” technique used to slit the bark and allow the sap to flow. By 1818 maple sugar was selling for half the price of cane sugar and more improvements came. In 1850, the sugar shack or sugarhouse , a small out-building
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used to boil down sap, was introduced. Before then, sap was boiled in cauldron size pots outside over an open fire (leading to such events as the “The Adventure of the Whiskey Bear of Burton”!) Eight years later, D.M. Cook of Ohio patented the evaporating pan and 2 years after that Eli Mosher patented the metal sap spout. That year, the United States produced 40 million pounds of maple sugar and 1.6 million gallons of maple syrup. Improvements continued with an evaporator pan with baffles to help channel boiling sap (1864), an evaporator with two pans and a metal arch or firebox which decreased the boiling time (1872), and metal sap collection buckets (1875). The lower cost of the maple sugar caused the cane sugar industry to begin to modernize and in 1885, for the first time since maple sugar began to compete with cane sugar, the cane sugar was cheaper than the maple sugar! The growth in the sugaring business continued to concentrate on shortening the boiling time and in increasing the ease and speed of gathering the sap. The Small Brothers’ evaporator with a series of flues decreased the boiling time in 1889; W.C. Brower of New York’s metal sap-gathering tubing was a near miss in improving the sap gathering side of sugaring. Unfortunately, the tubes froze at night leading to ruptures in the metal and leaks. It wasn’t until 1959 that Nelson Griggs of Vermont patented the plastic sap-gathering pipeline system. In the meanwhile, 1946 had seen the first commercial power-tapping machine, More recently, Reverse-osmosis technology was introduced in the 1970s. Reverse osmosis concentrates the sugar content of sap before boiling. And, in 2007, Timothy Perkins of the Proctor Maple Research Center patented a tap that prevents bacterial contamination and backflow of sap.
Good Memories
We ask adults to limit their participation to one response per adult. Thank you!
By Rachel Miler
A couple years ago, we went to John Fishers on Nash Road one evening to watch them boil sap. It was so interesting to watch. They can it right when they take the syrup off in quart jars and seal them. We get syrup from them and it’s so good … waffles with fresh syrup and sausage … yummy. Our son Allen and his boys also boiled some last year. They have a small sugarhouse and make mostly for themselves and their family. We got a gallon from them last year and it was also very good. There is no tapping done as long as it is this cold.
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Plain Country of Northeast Ohio | Mar. 4, 2015
Books in Review
Bookmobile News
By Jacquie Foote “The Amish Blacksmith” published by Harvest House, Eugene, Oregon, copyright 2014, written by Mindy Starns Clark and Susan Meissner is the third in the Men of Lancaster County series. It is always good to read a well-written piece of fiction by a hitherto unknown, talented author … in this case, two authors, collaborating. From boyhood, Jake Miller has always wanted to be a blacksmith and now he is in his final year of a successful apprenticeship. He has wanted to make more use of his talent for “gentling” problem horses and now he is being called on to use this talent more and more. He is at the point in life when an Amish fellow is ready to find the one God intends for him so he can marry and settle down to family life, and he is courting pretty, amiable Amanda Shetler who thinks he is pretty special, too. Enter Priscilla Kinsinger. To help her come to terms with the accidental death of her mother, Priscilla had been sent to live with family in an Amish Community in a neighboring state. Now, six years later, she felt it is God’s will that she return. The reader is lulled into believing that the human to human part of this story will be about Amanda and Jake, with his even-keeled, easy going nature helping Priscilla come to terms with guilt she feels due to the circumstances of her mother’s death. It will
be about helping her to reenter the Amish Community she grew up in. The human to horse part of the book would, of course, be about Jake using his talents to help horses and their owners get along well and happily and to become known even in the English world for his horse gentling. That would have made a very good story because of the care the authors took in gaining insight into all things equine (for which they thank Meg Selway) and for the excellent overall quality of their writing. But, they chose to write about more than that. Priscilla is thought to be intensely shy, but actuality is intensely spiritual and insightful. Jake is more just floating through life than being good-natured and fully engaged. And, Jake may be a Horse Gentler but Priscilla is a Horse Whisperer - maybe even a Person Whisperer? Even the least mentioned character in this story, human or equine, is fully developed, multi-dimensional and very real. The story flows very well. It is written in first person, with Jake telling the story as it happens. This is not my favorite style of writing. I vastly prefer third person. But in this book first person is so excellently done I could find no fault with it. “Amish Blacksmith” can easily be read by sixth graders and above. Its only fault is it is extremely hard to put down!
Greetings from the Bookmobile
By Leah Schmidt
Long awaited news! The Witness” by Author Linda Byler, the third title in the Lancaster Burning series, is supposed to be released in May 2015. We have a list of hold requests, and these holds have been placed. We are also accepting new hold requests. The wintry weather over the past couple of months has reminded us that we live and work in Geauga County. We do try to keep the Bookmobile in service during all kinds of conditions, but there may be times when we have to make adjustments to the schedule. In the event that we have to cancel service, we will try to notify each affected location. The February “Guess How Many Hershey Kisses in the Jar Contest” has come to an end. We went through 385 entries from children and adults, and there were three children who guessed 280, which is the closest to 277. To break the tie we drew names, and the winner of the Jar of Hershey Kisses is 14-year-old Suzanne Yoder from Wednesday, Week 1. We also gave a new book and Hershey candy bar to Marilyn Detweiler (9 years old, Wednesday Week 2), and Marcus Yoder (8 years old, Tuesday, Week 2). We’ve really enjoyed learning more about your favorite authors and books. Opening day of baseball is just around the corner, and to get ready for the big event the Middlefield Library will be hosting local baseball historian, Scott Longert Wednesday, March 18 at 7 p.m. at the Middlefield Library, Longert will discuss
Chuckle: A girl sat down on a park bench next to an old beggar. “Hi, sweetheart,” said the beggar. Angrily, the girl replied, “How dare you call me sweetheart?” Said the beggar, “Then, what are you doing on my bed?”
his new book, “The Best They Could Be: How the Cleveland Indians Became the Kings of Baseball, 1916-1920.” Some recent arrivals will also help us to prepare for the upcoming baseball season. The new titles include “The Christian Gentleman, Christy Mathewson: How One Man’s Faith and Fastball Forever Changed Baseball” by author Bob Gaines; “A Summer to Remember: Bill Veeck, Lou Boudreau, Bob Feller, and the 1948 Cleveland Indians” by Lew Freedman; “The Tribe Reborn: How the Cleveland Indians of the ‘90s went from Cellar Dwellers to Playoff Contenders” by George Christian Pappas; “Jacobs Field: History & Tradition at the Jake” by Vince McKee; and “100 Years of Who’s Who in Baseball” by The Staff of “Who’s Who in Baseball” and Douglas B. Lyons. New in our juvenile inspirational collection is “Snoopy the Sheep” by Helga Moser and beautifully illustrated by Nadia Gura, a story about a sheep who wanders away from home, and gets herself in big trouble. We also recently received the silver anniversary edition of “Jenny Wren” by Dawn L. Watkins. Two more new titles for adult readers are “Chicken Soup for the Soul, the Power of Forgiveness: 101 Stories About How to Leg Go and Change Your Life” and “J. E. B. Spredemann’s “A Secret Encounter” which is Book 2 of the Amish Secrets series. March has arrived with the promise of spring. In the meantime, stay warm!
Congratulations
Winners of Our Snowman Contest!
2nd Place
The Slaubaugh Family The winners of the top three snowmen have each won a $25 Gift Certificate to Vinny’s Pizza!
1st Place
The Miller Family 8
3rd Place
The Boyk and Pollari Families
Plain Country of Northeast Ohio | Mar. 4, 2015
From Our Schools
Artwork by Laura Beth Slabaugh 5th Grade
Georgia Road School Artwork byMaria Byler 5th Grade
From the First and Second Graders
From the Third Graders
What I Want to Be When I Grow Up … I want to go out in the barn … Davy (first) I want to be a fisher and a logger … Steven (first) I want to be a hunter and farmer. I want to be the boss … Lester (first) I want to work by the mill … Joshua (first) I want to work … Lukas (first) I want to be a mother … Leanna (first) I want to do dishes, sit down and sleep … Martha (first) I want to live alone … Amy Lynn (second) I want to be a Mother and do work at my own house … Leah Ruth (second) I want to be a logger … Adam (second) I want to drive dozers … Jon Michael (second) I would be a Mother. I would be very nice to my children … Leah (second) I want to be a cementer … Jason (second) I want to be a digger … Kenny (second) I want to be a hunter … Matthew (second) I want to be a cementer … Marcus (second) Artwork by Jonathan Miller 7th Grade
Pizza
Recipes
From the Fourth Graders If I Could Put Anything in My Lunch, I Would Put in:
By Sammy
By Donnie
1 can pizza sauce 1 pack cheese Some pepperoni Bake 10 minutes
A corndog Nutty Bars Six Jolly Ranchers Two sandwiches Four cookies Starbursts
Pizza By Sheila
By Mark
1 bag pepperoni 1 bag shredded cheese 1 bag sausage 1 can pizza sauce
Pizza Cookies Chips Pop Apple
Ice Cream
By Wally
By Sara Ann
Chips Sandwich Pie Water Cookies
Sugar, Butter, A pail of snow
Artwork by John Marc Miller Fifth Grade
By Karen Pizza Juice Candy Grapes Chips
By Cheryl Lynn Ham and cheese sandwich Chips Crackers Kool Aid or water Fruit snacks
By Katie Pizza Chips Sliced apples Juice Box Candy Cake or pie
By Bethany Sandwich Cookie Apple Water Candy
By Marlin Four sandwiches Junk Food A can of pop Deer meat
Artwork by Aaron Gingerich Third Grade
Artwork by Adam James Miller 3rd Grade
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Plain Country of Northeast Ohio | Mar. 4, 2015 From Teacher Esther
From the Sixth Graders If I Were A … … table. I do not like if people come and sit or lean on me. I do not like it if they wash me ‘cause it feels like they are digging in my skin ... Marty Ray … desk. I would not be happy except when the pupil went home, and then maybe I could have a little peace. Sometimes he would scribble on me or slam my lid or even sometimes throw me on the floor; then I would cry my heart out. … Aden … whiteboard. I would not like if someone would clean me because they would have to rub hard. I don’t like when they write on me because it makes me a colorful and a different kind of board. I like when nobody writes on me because it would be quiet and pain free. … Kaylene … a book. I would want interesting contents and would not like to be abused. I would not like to be slammed or dog-eared. I would not like to be written on or tattered, but having good care, I would not object to. … Andrew
Hello! Greetings from Georgia Road School. I am Esther Miller and I teach grades four and five down in the basement. This is the first year this school has a classroom in the basement. I have eight fourth-graders and four fifth-graders. Marie Byler teaches eight thirdgraders, six seventh-graders, and three eighth-graders. Ellen Slaubaugh teaches seven first-graders, nine second-graders, and four sixth-graders. There are a total of 49 students. Right now at recess time we are playing inside a lot with the cold weather. I think almost everyone is glad when it’s warm enough to go outside. Today, the mothers will bring lunch for everyone. They are bringing salads, puddings, ice cream cake for teacher Ellen’s birthday, snacks, etc. Pizza will also be delivered. So we have something to look forward to! Our school starts at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 2:45 p.m., so any visitors are welcome between those times. Enjoy the last two months of school!
Artwork by Adam Miller 3rd Grade
From a Seventh Grader Trapping
By Wally I was very excited on the first day of trapping season. I set coon traps and muskrat traps. The next day I had a few coon and one muskrat. We have a pond with cattails and it has about 10 muskrat hives there. We set traps in there. The next day I got one possum. Then on Thanksgiving, two big coon. I had very much fun. In all, we had 38 muskrats, 20 coon and two coyotes. We trapped down on the river for muskrat and we went coon hunting with our farm dog, too.
From an Eighth Grader
Artwork by Katie Mae Miller 7th Grade
My Day as a Substitute Teacher
By Annie I came 7:15 a.m. The children came at 8 to 8:15 a.m. I started school at 8:30 a.m. First we sang a few songs, then we had a Bible Story and Recitations.
Artwork by LeAnne Miller 5th Grade
Then we started with math. After I got them all started, I sat down and checked some papers. Then they did spelling and vocabulary. We had recess at 10 a.m. We came in at 10:15 a.m. and started working again. I told them to go wash their hands and get their lunches. We ate at 11:45 a.m., then at noon we had recess. We played Freeze Tag. At 12:30 p.m., it was school-time. I read them a story and then they had English and geography. We had last recess inside at 1:45 p.m. They just played ping-pong. Then, after recess, they finished any work that is not finished. I read them some funny stories. They went home at 2:45 p.m. I went home at 4 p.m.
Artwork by Adam Frey 3rd Grade
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Plain Country of Northeast Ohio | Mar. 4, 2015
Fact or Fiction?
Baby Animal Challenge Each year, many animals are born in the spring and summer. Some baby animals are referred to by special terms. A baby rabbit, for example, is called a “bunny.” Here are some questions about other baby animal terms. How many can you answer correctly?
What Rhymes with. . .
1) An eaglet is a baby goose. Fact or Fiction? 2) A cygnet is a baby swan. Fact or Fiction? 3) A hatchling is a baby alligator. Fact or Fiction? 4) A squab is a baby kangaroo. Fact or Fiction? 5) A pup is a baby wolf. Fact or Fiction? 6) A duckling is a baby eel. Fact or Fiction? 7) A fawn is a baby deer. Fact or Fiction? 8) A kid is a baby goat. Fact or Fiction? 9) A calf is a baby elephant. Fact or Fiction? 10) A kitten is a baby horse. Fact or Fiction?
List 10 words that rhyme with CUB:
seal are also called “calves,” 10) Fiction, a kitten is a baby cat, a foal, a baby horse elver, a baby eel, 7) Fact, 8) Fact, 9) Fact, the young of many other animals like the cow and animals like the dog and fox are also called “pups,” 6) Fiction, a duckling is a baby duck, an Fiction, a squab is a baby pigeon, a joey, a baby kangaroo, 5) Fact, the young of many other Answers: 1) Fiction, an eaglet is a baby eagle, a gosling, a baby goose, 2) Fact, 3) Fact, 4)
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6.
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4.
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10. Some answers: dub, flub, grub, hub, pub, rub, scrub, shrub, snub, stub, sub, tub
Name That Group Each of the following is a term used for a particular group of animals, young and old. Fill in the blanks to name that group.
1) C _ L _ N _
5) _ R I _ E
2) T _ O O _
6) B _ O O _
3) _ L O _ K
7) S _ _ O _ L
4) L _ T _ E _
Litter, 5) Pride, 6) Brood, 7) School Answers: 1) Colony, 2) Troop, 3) Flock, 4)
Oh, Those Cute Baby Calves Imagine your mom carrying a baby for two years. That’s about how long it takes an elephant to give birth. Elephants start having babies at age 13 and carry them for 22 months! They give birth about every five years, and most newborn calves, as baby elephants are called, weigh a whopping 200 to 250 pounds! From the moment a calf is born, the entire herd takes care of it. In fact, many calves have what are called “allomothers.” These allomothers act as babysitters for the calves, watching over them and keeping them out of trouble. Meanwhile, the calves’ mothers hunt for food to eat so they can keep producing milk for their babies. Calves drink almost three gallons of milk a day. When they are not eating, they watch others carefully so they can learn how to use their trunks and behave in the herd. It takes calves several months to gain complete control of their trunks.
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Plain Country of Northeast Ohio | Mar. 4, 2015
Maple Recipes Rice and Raisin Pudding
Word Search
Submitted by Mrs. Rudy Kathryn Detweiler 1 cup brown rice 6 cups milk 2 egg yolks, beaten 1 cup sweet cream 1/2 cup maple syrup 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cups raisins Cook brown rice in water until soft, drain. Scald milk, add to rice, and fold in egg yolks and sweet cream. Add maple syrup and salt and stir well. Cook raisins in a little water until soft and add to rice mixture. Cook rice/raisin mixture just until thick ‌ do not boil. Watch so it does not curdle.
Butterscotch Tapioca Submitted by Ellen Hershberger Adapt Adds Army Astronomers August Aunt Caps Cross Deed Designed Desks Died
Dogs Done Electron Ends Extent Extraordinary Eyes Fate Frog India Keen Kept
Less Louder Mats Mess Miners Miss Nest Nose Omit Onions Opposition Pirate
Plus Pumped Rack Reeds Relay Risk Roll Root Rude Salads Sets Side
SUDUKO Medium
Silk Snack Soap Start Surf Swan Tend Tides Tied Tree Trim Twist
4 cups water 3/4 cups baby pearl tapioca 1/2 cup nuts 2 cups brown sugar 1/4 cup butter 1/2 teaspoon salt 3 teaspoons maple flavor Cool Whip
Type Universities Upset Uses Utter Vowel Were With Yell Your Yo-yo
Melt butter until brown. Add nuts and sugar and stir until moist. Add water, bring to a boil and add tapioca and then cook 15 to 20 minutes. Add salt and maple flavor. Cool and then mix in Cool Whip.
~Ans on Page 4
Maple Apples Submitted by Ellen Hershberger 6 tart apples 1 cup maple syrup 1 1/2 cups water Wash, core and peel apples. Leave whole. Combine water and syrup and bring to a boil. Add apples and simmer until tender, turning frequently for even cooking. When done, remove apples from pan and continue cooking syrup until thick. Pour thickened syrup over apples. Serve warm or cold with cream.
Maple Cream Candy Submitted by Barbara Ann Miller Boil maple syrup to 234 degrees. Stir until the syrup becomes milky in appearance. Pour into molds and let cool before unmolding, or into a shallow pan and cut into squares when cool.
Frozen Maple Custard Submitted by Rachel Miller 4 cups cream 2 cups skim milk 5 eggs, beaten 1 cup sugar 3 cups corn starch 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 can sweetened condensed milk 1/3 cup maple syrup (no substitutes) 2 tablespoons vanilla Mix cream and skim milk and bring to a boil. Add sugar, cornstarch and salt to eggs and mix well. Stir this egg mixture into the hot milk and cream. Stir constantly until it thickens. Take egg/milk mixture off heat and stir in sweetened condensed milk, maple syrup and vanilla. Strain completed mixture into ice cream can, chill and freeze. This is best if mixed together and chilled for 1 or 2 days before freezing.
Everyday Pancakes with Maple Syrup Submitted by Mrs. Rudy Kathryn Detweiler 1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour 2 tablespoons melted butter 3 tablespoons maple syrup 1 egg 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon vanilla 3/4 to 1 cup milk 2 tablespoons baking powder Mix all ingredients together, beat well with beater. Fry until golden on a hot griddle greased with natural canola oil spray. Serve with butter and warm fresh maple syrup.
Old Fashion Molasses Cookies Submitted by Ellen Hershberger 1 cup shortening 4 cups flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup dark molasses 1 cup sugar 1 egg 1/4 cup hot water
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1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda Mix flour and salt together and cut in shortening as for pastry. In another bowl, combine molasses and sugar. Add egg and beat well. Dissolve soda in hot water and add to molasses mixture. Combine crumb and molasses mixtures until well blended. Chill dough, then roll it out and cut cookies. Place cookies on greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees until done. (Note ‌ these cookies will be cracked on top.)
Plain Country of Northeast Ohio | Mar. 4, 2015
Maple Driving Tour
Ohio Maple Producers Association
ÂŽ Driving Trail 2015
March 14, 15, 21, 22, 2015 open to the public Visit selected maple sugaring operations across ohio.
A great family day in the country, learning where pure maple syrup comes from! Most are free - Look for the signs. 10am – 5pm unless otherwise noted. Dress for the weather - Boots and outerwear a must! Funded by the USDA 2014 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
Visit: www.ohiomaple.org or call 440-834-1415
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