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Liile Shop of Florals

Do you ever feel like your actions and words don’t matter? Like you are totally disconnected from the world- and no matter how hard you try, you feel like everything is negative so why put in the effort?

Honestly, I feel this way a lot. I will scroll through my news feed day after day and read about horrible things in the world.

People doing terrible things, natural disasters taking lives, and of course, the endless stress in the political realm. This type of thinking utterly destroys me. I spend hours considering the things I could do, but feel helpless that I will never be able to save Puerto Rico or make a politician truly care, or entice genuine love out of a nation. Lately, during one of my meditative moments, I remembered that someone once told me about water ripples. It was the kind of advice that didn’t impact me greatly at the time, but I often feel like I hear nuggets of wisdom that I consider but don’t always keep in the forefront of my mind. But I remembered that they said when you throw a rock into the water, look at the ripples. You’d be surprised at how far they reach.

At the time, I almost passed this off as cheesy. It totally sounds cheesy! But lately, it has me thinking about our community.

What if we lived our lives dedicated to helping each other- but in a way that directly impacted our own lives as well? I’m talking about the kind of help that involves nothing more than being a good person with other people in mind. Maybe it’s holding the door for a stranger- putting your phone down and really connecting with those around you- picking up the trash on the sidewalk, or paying for a coffee for a total stranger. I’m talking about donating your time- your greatest asset – to your community.

Now, I know that we are all “busy.” It’s totally understandable and reasonable to get stressed out with the thought of adding one more thing to your plate by helping your community. But I wanted to put a thought out there that you just don’t realize your own power. It’s quite fascinating once you truly realize what your little rock in the water can create. Maybe you bought a coffee from a locally-owned coffee shop instead of a big box. You put your local dollars into the hands of another local business owner, who in turn was able take that money and buy chocolates for her grandmother, who shared them with her neighbors?

Ripple. This kindness is the thread of our lives, and we should really pay more attention to it.

I wanted to mention this because this magazine and our new flower shop is the direct result from a community ripple. Truly, every dime I’ve made from the magazine in the past few years has gone to donations, bringing the tree back to downtown Moscow, working with Keith Crossler to bring back the annual 4th of July fireworks to Moscow, and I’m still working on getting Lewiston a Christmas tree as well. And every dollar that didn’t go to these things went to our new local floral shop. See, you’ve all supported us so much that I was able to turn around and love the community right back. And watching Tony live out his dreams and help customers and create a successful floral shop has been a beautiful thing.

So I wanted to tell you, if you are anything like me, you feel lost in the negativity of the world a lot. But it’s ok. The world can be and is a negative place. But it doesn’t matter. All you have to do is allow yourself to be a ripple. You might think it’s small, but at the end of your life, you will look back and see that you helped shape our community and it became a safer, brighter, and more positive place.

I wish you all such a positive and wonderful year. I want you to know that this magazine is literally nothing without the readers, creatives, and advertisers. I wish you all love and gratitude everyday.

Love,

Heather Niccoli, Editor-In-Chief Home&Harvest Magazine

Editor|Design|Sales heather niccoli

208.596.5400 208.596.4434

heather@homeandharvestmagazine.com

Publisher tony niccoli

po box 9931, moscow id

CONTRIBUTORS gayle anderson joe evans | keith crossler emory ann kurysh dawn evans | zachary wnek tony niccoli | heather niccoli

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I Hear That Train..

Reflecting on Change Valentine’s Trifles The Bowlerama Honeybees of Gritman Reloadin’ Joe A Newfound Love S-Wheat Farm Life

I HEAR

THAT TRAIN

A COMIN’ by

TONY NICCOLI

I

Home&Harvest

In Promontory, Utah on May 10th, 1869 a single golden spike was driven into the ground and America was forever changed.

The Central Pacific railroad traveling east from Sacramento, and the new Union Pacific railroad traveling west from Omaha had just met. By driving that final spike and connecting the two, the Transcontinental Railroad was born. The way we traveled and moved goods would never be the same, and for the west, this was a chance to really come to prominence in a nation that had been dominated by settlement along a single coast for most of its first century.

I was born in an era of incredibly fast travel. I haven’t know any other world but this one, where you can fly across the entire continent in a day.

You can jump in your car and drive to towns in some of the most remote locations you have heard of and then be back home later that night. But this is all new – at least relatively new. If you go back a few generations it took days to cross the country by train, and many towns that aren’t directly on rail lines didn’t exist at that point. A few generations previous to that almost all settlement was near the oceans, or along the rivers, and traveling across the continent took about 6 months by wagon. From my perspective that is almost unimaginable. But I do have some idea of what it must have been like to live in those exciting generations that saw such a dramatic change.

I’m currently writing this on my computer – not on paper with pen or a typewriter. As soon as I finish, I’ll email my article to my wife who happens to be sitting at a desk on the other side of this room. I could print it and carry it over, but it’s much more efficient for both of us to just send her a digital copy. And in truth, my method is already outdated because I could use Dropbox, and our local network also gives her access to just take it from my computer without me having to send the email. I guess I’ve evolved to a point, but old habits die hard.

Jan/Feb 2018 12

When I was young, there were computers, but not in homes. I learned to type on my Grandma’s typewriter, and knew I had succeeded at mastering it when I had to start prying apart letters that had jammed from striking them too quickly. In fact, our strange keyboard layout – often called “qwerty” for the first 6 letters on the top row – was said to be designed to slow down typists and prevent jams. I still have a fondness for that original tactile feel of a typewriter and audible report that came after each key strike. Now, much to my wife’s torment, I still use a mechanical keyboard on my home computer to mimic that sound and feel.

The mail was considered fast when I was young. And then we got email. While that was fast for sending a letter or information, it was still slower than the phone for a conversation because you had to wait for the recipient to get home and boot their computer. Then information started moving even faster with the invention of cellphones and their ability to allow text messaging. No waiting for that dialup modem, or hoping that the person you want to reach is near their home or office phone – for better or worse, our messages now reach the receiver pocket in about a second. It’s been incredible to watch this change but I’m sure it was even more so seeing ground transportation change in a single generation in the late 1800’s.

At that point, man had never really traveled faster than a horse, or quickly moving current in a river. And to travel as sustained speeds over vast stretches of country without using flowing water was beyond imagination. In a way, it was the pressure from travel by water that lead to the birth of our railroads.

In the early 1800’s New York starting working on the Erie Canal. When it opened in 1825 it was the second largest canal system in the world and ran all the way from Buffalo on the shores of Lake Erie, to Albany with a port on the Hudson River. From there, food and goods could quickly be transported down river to New York City. Compared to moving items over land, or on river systems that required difficult portages, or partial movement over land from one river to the next, this new system of canals cut the cost by about 90% and shortened the time to a point where fresh produce and uncured meat would be able to make the trip. For New York, this opened up a huge market to buy goods that were being produced in the fairly new settlements in the Northwest Territory. This had the effect of quickly increasing the population and importance of New York City, and also making settlement to the west much easier and more profitable.

That surge for New York came at the expense of other major cities that had been flourishing due to their costal port. One that felt the impact more than any other was Baltimore – the third largest city in the country at that time. The two cities are only 170 miles apart and Baltimore is much farther east than New York. But with the canal New York was getting fast access to resources that Baltimore couldn’t reach. They had no option to build a canal and lock system over the Application Mountains, and so the newly developed railroad system would prove to be a perfect answer. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was established as the first chartered railroad in the US and plans were set to run from the city of Baltimore to a landing point on the Ohio River. It was constructed in 1828, and to put this in perspective to the nation’s short history at that point, the ground breaking was started with a shovel of dirt turned by Charles Carroll an original signer of the Declaration of Independence. At the same time, a new canal was also being constructed from Washington DC to the Ohio River. That canal never made it all the way to the Ohio, but it did put more pressure on the B&O. In the beginning, horses were pulling carts of dry goods on wooden rails, and passengers were traveling on the rail line by 1830. Then, in August of 1830 the now famous Tom Thumb – the first American made locomotive run on a commercial railroad – was tested on the B&O line. The steam engine ended up losing to a horse-drawn car, but only after a belt came off its pulley and steam-

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pressure was lost. Until then it had been in the lead and was running 10-15mph while pulling a cart full of passengers. This demonstration showed the investors for the railroads that steam power was the way to go for distance travel.

The B&O success become an example for other railroads to follow and earned its place both in history and on the Monopoly board across from its rivals the Pennsylvania and Redding lines.

With the success of the B&O and constant push for faster travel and more efficient delivery of good, the race to construct rail lines was on. Many competing companies quickly filed charters from various states and often duplicated each other’s work or ended with rapid bankruptcy after failing to get enough investment to finish their construction. It was a hectic but eager time when both cities and investors were willing to take a chance on many different railroad endeavors. Build was already underway in most developed areas, and lines to serve the burgeoning western settlement were hurriedly being planned.

These early rail lines were incredibly difficult to build. At that time there wasn’t any mechanized method of construction and all the labor was done with hand tools. Huge teams of men would break rocks and clear ground as teams came behind to lay the wooden supports and then the metal rails. The supply line for materials, food and rails was moved along the track that had already been laid so that it was always arriving as needed for the next section of work. With picks and shovels they cut line across the country, connecting major cities and creating new cities at convenient stopping points. And when they reached mountains, dynamite and man power were used to punch a hole through them. The work continued on, and by the early 1860’s you could travel 1/3 of the way across the continent in as little as a week. Just half a century earlier, that trip would have taken a month and half or more. And with introduction of the Pullman Sleeping car in 1857 people found something that trains had been desperately lacking – comfort. There had been sleeping arrangements on trains since the 30’s but nothing with the comfort, refinement and elegance of the Pullman cars. Travel was now fast and enjoyable, as long as you could afford the ticket.

Rails didn’t just serve to grow cities and commerce. During the civil war, one of the greatest advantages that the North possessed was the ability to quickly move troops and supplies using their more advanced system of railroads. They were often a target for Southern troops, and the destruction of bridges and trestles along the rail line could often turn the advantage quickly.

The only deterrent to the rail system was opposition from people with a vested interest in the canals and land travel. Most of the protest came from turnpike owners as well as hotel and saloon owners in towns that would be quickly passed by once railroads illuminated the need for frequent stops when traveling 10-20 miles a day by wagon. Stagecoach companies in the more remote areas also tried to put up a fight, and some preachers even made the argument that trains were sacrilegious. But once companies found the capital to clear the paths and lay the track, no one could argue with the speed and economy of transporting people and goods by rail.

The next big step that the country needed was a line to cross all the way to the western states and territories. That vision was finally realized with the Transcontinental Railroad. The US Congress went along with the plan, and in July of 1862 President Lincoln signed the first Pacific Railroad Act into law. The idea was to have two competing companies fighting for the money that the government would pledge. They got up to $48,000 in government bonds per mile, and 12,800 acres of land for every mile of track they could complete. A survey was already conducted for the route and the competing companies were selected so it was time to begin.

The Central Pacific line started in California and was run by a foursome of business men that had invested in the project even though they had absolutely no experience in construction or railroad planning.

Leaving Sacramento in 1863, they planned to cover as much ground as possible to increase their share of the bonds and land grants.

Meanwhile, in Omaha, Nebraska the Union Pacific Railroad company was starting to lay track on its westward run to the middle. Very little was accomplished by either group until the end of the civil war, but it was the Union Pacific that got the lion’s share of the government funding. They had laid 1086 miles of track and met the Central Pacific’s 690 miles of track in the town of Promontory, Utah 6 years after the production had begun.

By the time the Transcontinental Railroad was complete in 1869, the mining rush in the west was already under way. Oregon had achieved statehood, and the Washington and Idaho Territories were well known for their mining and agricultural opportunities. But the settlement pattern still mostly followed the rivers. Some remote mining camps existed and the incredible financial opportunity lured adventurous miners and prospectors farther into the wilderness every year. But they still made the difficult trek back to towns like Lewiston to resupply. It was the waterways that originally allowed towns to flourish and become cities and centers of commerce in the remote regions but that was rapidly changing as railroads were being completed.

For us locally, we have cities like Potlatch that wouldn’t exist without the rail. The Potlatch Lumber Corporation, the founder of the town that still bears its name, started the Washington, Idaho & Montana Railway. Their track originally ran from Palouse, Washington, to the sight of their new lumber mill in the Potlatch, Idaho. The mill was processing their white pine and the rail allowed convenient and speedy delivery out to Palouse. They were also responsible for the Ivy-League names of the towns that built up around the new railway’s stations like Harvard, Princeton, Cornell and Yale.

Cars would travel west carrying the processed lumber on its way to market and then return east with all the provisions needed for a growing city center. And all in an area that might not ever have been developed if not for the access by rail. The Washington, Idaho & Montana line eventually connected with another company’s rail just outside of Bonville, Idaho and then ran on to Elk River mill that Potlatch Company was building.

Today’s travel through the region is even faster. We often hop in our car in the late morning and spend the day in towns like Elk River that were once remote and the get home later that evening. An interconnected system of roads and the individual freedom of transportation found in an automobile were just too much for the railways to beat. And today, the vast majority of personal travel is done by car. But the railways are still there, and trains are still moving an astonishing amount of freight in the US. And now, a generation or two removed from the absolute need for rail, we still see many enthusiasts who enjoy preserving their history or modeling them for nostalgia.

I can’t argue with the feeling of those train hobbyists wanting to be a little closer to a bygone era – after all, I’m typing this on a clattering keyboard for a reason. Its familiar and I love it.

Photo courtesy of William Bull

“My father, Alec Bull, was the postmaster at Princeton for 31 years, beginning in the early 1940’s. He or my mother, Margaret Bull, shot most of the photos. All the mail came by rail, normally on the Potlatcher, or, as the local people called it, the Bug. The Bug ran from Palouse to Bovill and returned each day, Monday through Saturday, as I remember. When it traveled westbound it also picked up cans of fresh milk that farmers would bring to the depot, which was taken to the “creamery” at Potlatch. The empty cans were returned the following day. In the photos you can see cans of milk waiting to go out next to the mail, in the one shot, and having been returned and waiting for the farmer to pick it up in the other (upside down).

The Bug was always fun to ride and every once in a while I would get to take a trip on it. The best was when I and my brother got on going eastbound and were able to travel to Bovill and back. I am right at the front, on the right side, in the one closeup photo. I don’t know who the boy is next to me.”

“Also, it is my father, Alec Bull, who is on the platform of the depot in the photos. As I recall the operator of the Bug was a man named Claude Davis, but it is not confirmed.

Showing also is a photo of a W.I. & M. RR log train westbound through Princeton, on its way to the mill at Potlatch, and a W.I. & M. RR caboose.�

Bill Bull Clarkston, WA

Reflecting on Change

by

Keith Crossler

20 17

Home&Harvest

was a big year for the Moscow Volunteer Fire Department. We celebrated our 125 year anniversary as an organization. Our Ambulance Company acquired a new ambulance with a refurbished box from the one we were replacing. The city announced that they had purchased a new pumper which is slated to arrive this spring. And, the Rural District was able to purchase two new brush trucks which are finished in production and will arrive in late January. New trucks are great and exciting addition to our organization. It’s a fantastic way for the volunteers to keep interested and engaged in the department along with replacing old and aging equipment.

This last year also brought a change for myself within the organization. As I have mentioned in previous writings, I had moved up through the ranks of the department and was acting as a Battalion Chief. I started as Battalion Chief in 2010 and just completed my 4th term. In mid-December, my wife and I welcomed our second son to our family. When we found out that we were expecting, I decided that I needed to focus more time with my family and that I wouldn’t seek re-election for another term. As I started thinking about what I would write about, I was reminded about all the times I was on duty. The fires, car crashes, and array of other calls I had been the Incident Commander for. The weekends that came and went with little or no calls. Or, the weekends where I would only see home for a few short hours as there were so many calls.

Calls that would take 10 minutes to the ones that took 10 hours.

Jan/Feb 2018 24

One particular weekend did come to mind and it was one of those long weekends. Well, the first part of the weekend wasn’t that busy, but on Sunday in the late afternoon is when it started. It was August, 2011. A typical hot and dry August that would add to the types of calls that were about to come.

The sky darkened and you could just tell that one of those big storms was coming. Winds are starting to pick up and instantly I had a feeling that if there was any lightning with this storm, we would have some fires. This was also the type of storm that would probably bring some downed tree/powerline type calls too. I was driving around town and waiting for something to happen. Just then the radio came to life with a one of our volunteers reporting a call.

“There’s a fire across from the mall on the hillside. It was caused by lightning, and it’s moving fast”. I flipped around and headed that way. It was just outside of the city limits off the old Moscow/Pullman highway. Our Rural guys were headed to the station and crews were filling fast. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one that had a feeling we were about to have some calls. I arrived on scene and tried to scope out the best access. I had a great vantage point parked up behind the golf course. This is where I would establish the Command Post.

I had our first in brush trucks drive past the fire and enter the field from a property that butted up to where the fire was.

The next in truck I had drop off the hillside right across from where I had parked. The terrain wasn’t great, but they could make it through and be able to hit the head of the fire.

As more resources arrived, I assigned the bulk to where the first truck had gone with a second one going in to meet the second crew. Just then, tones went out for another call out on Moscow Mountain. Another lightning call, this one next to a house. One of our other Battalion Chiefs called in that he would respond to this call and check it out. I immediately released a truck and water tender to respond to that call.

Our fire was mostly out at this point and we quickly worked our lines to make sure it was out so we could be ready for the next call. And sure enough, just as we had wrapped up, another call came in. A tree across the road knocking down a powerline that also started a fire. The storm was really picking up at this point. Lots of lightning, wind, and not much for rain.

The fire out on the mountain turned out to be fairly small and that crew was headed back to town. As we worked on the tree call, other calls were going on all over town. Mostly just lines down. We respond and check to make sure there isn’t a life safety issue and to make sure the power or telecommunication company is notified. Some of those calls, we will remain on scene until the power company arrives just to make sure no one accidentally gets into the downed line or that it starts a fire. As the storm began to wind down, so did the calls. I had stated a mobile command for all the events.

I would “field” the call and assign a truck to respond. Typically I would only respond if that truck requested me to or if it was more than just a line down. All units would report to me and I would make notes on what the call was and what we did during our response.

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Late that night, I finally made it back home after we ran a total of 17 calls. I went to bed hoping to get a few winks before I called off that next morning. Around 5:00 AM the pager toned again. This time for a structure fire just across town. Peeling out of bed and into some clothes, I rushed out the door. Off I went and as I was getting close, I could see the smoke. A confirmed fire. As always, our guys came right out. Busy most of the night and as most would be getting up for work, they respond to the call.

I pulled up to the house and the entire south side of the house was burning. It looked to me that it was mostly to all exterior. When the first pumper arrived, I had them stretch a line and knock down the fire. I was right, mostly exterior. Next I had the crew transition and go interior. We check the basement first. The fire had obviously started down low and there was a basement window directly next to where it was most burned. Another crew was assigned to ventilation and set up some fans to get the smoke out of the house. There was very little that had burned in the basement. While that crew worked there, I had another crew in the upstairs searching for extension into the living room and attic space. We got lucky on this one. Being mostly exterior, it meant that we didn’t have a ton of overhaul to do and it would be a quicker clean up. Still a full blown structure fire none the less. We determined that it was caused by smoldering mulch in a planter next to the garage. Just enough rain got it wet and then it spontaneously combusted igniting the siding on fire.

Those types of weekends are busy, but exciting. I ran a total of 18 calls with multiple confirmed fires (confirmed fires don’t actually happen that often these days). In my time as a Battalion Chief and a Suppression Captain before that, I’ve had these type of duty shifts before. They are tiresome, but fulfilling at the same time. It’s rewarding helping so many folks in a time of need.

While I’ll miss being a Battalion Chief, I’ll still be here and involved as I can be. I currently hold a Captain position with the Rural District and will continue serving both them and the City side of the department.

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Flank

Flame

to

by tony niccoli

! d o o f a e S

GRILLING Do you love seafood? Then it should have a regular rotation on your grill. This month we are going to review some basic tips for making best seafood on your home grill.

For grilling fish, you definitely want to use larger fillets or steaks that are at least ¾ of an inch thick or more. Keep your fish cold in the refrigerator before you grill and if possible, use it the day you buy it or the day after so you have it at the peak of freshness. It should be firm and have just a slight briny smell.

Fish is amazing when it comes of the grill moist and juicy, but it can very quickly turn to dry and be ruined if you don’t oil it and select the correct heat. Recognize that fish – especially if it isn’t skin down – is going to drip its juice directly onto the coals or your gas burners. This does double duty to ruin the meat because it not only dries out, but it can also cause flare-ups and scorch or overcook the fish in the process.

Before I put any fish directly on the grill I brush it liberally with oil. This is going to add some moisture, help to get a perfect sear, and prevent most of the internal juice from being lost down the grates. I also brush the grill with oil just before the fish goes on, and only cook on a cool side of the grill with the flames opposite the fish. Using a two-zone here allows time to get a perfect internal temperature without burning the outside. I also recommend making sure your grill is clean when you cook any seafood – but especially for fish. It’s much more important to have an unblemished surface for a light delicate meat than when you are just doing some burgers or sausages on a grill grate that you know really needs a scrub but instead got a quick pass of the wire brush. Cook for about 8-10 minutes for an inch thick filet or fish steak and turn once during the process. I also like to move them to the high heat area for just a few seconds to help pick up a little grill line without getting a full char.

For me, fish on the grill will always be a favorite because it reminds me of my Dad. He used to do salmon on the grill about once a week. He always kept it simple and it was always delicious! Just a salmon filet, with a light brush of oil and some salt – skin down until they were cooked through and ready to pull. The flavor of the fish gets to be the star and if you perfect your timing its just about impossible to beat.

Home&Harvest

Jan/Feb 2018 29

Shrimp are also easy to pull off on the grill. And they work well even if just done simply over heat with nothing but a little rub of olive oil and some salt. You can get fancy and use any combination of spices to kick up the flavor a little, or just serve with a dipping sauce once the come off the grill. You can use a basket, grilling pan, or any one of hundreds of other specialty devices to make it easier to work with shrimp, but I usually just pull out my kebab skewers and run two of them about an inch apart down a line of shrimp. This works better than just using one per line and makes the flips simple.

No sticking, and no burning the first ones before you finish getting them all turned over like when you are just using tails and tongs to flip one at time. For a classic “Shrimp on the Barbie” try this simple recipe – melt one stick of butter and combine with 4 tablespoons of olive oil and 3 tablespoons of lemon juice. You can stop there, or add 3-4 tablespoons of minced herbs like parsley and cilantro, and 2 cloves of crushed garlic. Toss the ship in your bowl and then marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes and salt liberally before they go on the grill.

The shrimp should be firm to the touch and pink or completely opaque – over direct heat on a medium-hot grill this should take about 2 minutes per side; longer for larger prawns.

Finally let’s take on bacon wrapped scallops. I’ve seen a ton of recipes that do these on the grill for the entire cook, but that just doesn’t make sense to me. I don’t see how you can possibly get the bacon cooked to a safe temperature without ruining the scallops. So for me, this one is best done in two stages. I put the bacon strips in the oven at 350 and cook them until they are almost ready to start crisping up. By pulling them at 12-15 minutes, when the edges are golden, but the bacon is still limp and flexible, you will have a much easier time wrapping it around your scallops. Use one strip of bacon for each scallop you are cooking and wrap it around the rounded end and secure it with a bamboo skewer or reusable kabob skewer run through the center. Lightly oil the grill and cook over medium-high heat and turn often to keep the scallops from burning or over cooking.

It should take about 6-7 minutes total for large scallops. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper as you pull them, and immediately put a small tab of butter on each scallop. You’re going to love these as an easy appetizer, or served with a few sides as a main dish. You can also substitute shrimp for the scallops and use the same techniques, pulling them when the shrimp become opaque to lightly pink.

“Bacon wrapped shrimp. That’s my number one favorite food wrapped around my number three favorite food.”

– the great Ron Swanson

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Valentine’s Trifles

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This is an extremely quick and easy treat to make for that special someone on Valentine’s Day. It is a dessert that won’t break the bank, nor will it cut into your already precious time. Place in champagne flutes for a special touch. It is impossible to mess up this recipe, and it is certified to be paid back in even sweeter kisses.

Ingredients: ¾ cups raspberries, fresh ½ cups Oreos, broken Whipped cream

1. Start by measuring the ingredients. You will need approximately five Oreos to amount to ½ cup of crushed cookies. Once the raspberries and cookies have been prepared, set aside.

Emory Ann Kurysh

Home&Harvest

2. Using the champagne flutes, fill each one with ¼ of the crushed Oreos. Place ¼ of the raspberries on top. Then add whipped cream. This should take you to the halfway point in the flute. Repeat once more. Then top with leftover crushed Oreos, and refrigerate until you are ready to serve! Enjoy!

Jan/Feb 2018 32

Chocolate Buttermilk Cupcakes Ingredients: 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (spoon & leveled) 1/2 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder 3/4 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 large eggs 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar 1/3 cup vegetable oil 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 1/2 cup buttermilk, at room temperature frosting: chocolate buttercream Directions: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl till combined. Set aside. In a separate medium bowl, whisk the eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, and vanilla together until completely smooth. Pour half of the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Then add half of the buttermilk. Gently whisk. Repeat but do not over-mix! Batter will be runny.

Pour or spoon the batter into liners of cupcake pan. Fill halfway.

Bake for 17-21 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.

Chocolate Frosting: 6 TBL butter, softened 2 2⁄3 cups confectioners’ sugar 1⁄2 cup cocoa 1⁄3 cup milk 1 1⁄2 tsp vanilla DIRECTIONS Place butter in a bowl and beat until creamy.

Add sugar and cocoa, mixing well.

Stir in milk in portions, stirring each time.

Add vanilla.

Spread on cooled cake or other items needing frosting.

Heather Niccoli

Lemon Fizz Cupcakes Supplies:

1 box lemon cake mix 1 small box instant lemon pudding mix 11⁄4 cup 7-Up 1⁄2 cup vegetable oil 4 large eggs 1 tablespoon flour Preheat oven to 350ºF. In a mixer, combine all of the ingredients, and mix on low speed for 30 seconds. Mix on medium for an additional 1–2 minutes. Place paper liners in cupcake tin, and scoop batter into liners until half full. Bake 15–18 minutes.

Frosting:

1 1⁄2 cup heavy whipping cream 3⁄4 cup lemon curd 3 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon lemon zest 1⁄2 teaspoon lemon extract Combine all ingredients quickly in a very cold/chilled bowl. With chilled beaters, beat at medium speed until frosting starts to thicken and form soft peaks; it should look fluffy. When cooled, frost the cupcakes and enjoy!

Heather Niccoli

Snickerdoodle Cupcakes

Cu pcakes 1 and 2/3 flour

a

Heather Niccoli

1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup butter 1 and 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided 1 large egg 1/4 cup sour cream 3/4 cup milk 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract 2 teaspoons cinnamon

adapted from Sally’s Baking Addiction

Cinnamon Frosting 1 cup butter, softened to room temperature 3-4 cups confectioners’ sugar 1/4 cups heavy cream 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 Tablespoon cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners.

In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. Set aside.

In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt butter in the microwave. Whisk in 1 cup of sugar. Let it rest for a couple minutes to slightly cool down. Stir in egg, sour cream, milk, and vanilla extract until combined. Slowly mix in dry ingredients until no lumps remain. Batter will be thick.

In a small bowl, mix the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon together. Set aside. Fill cupcakes until half full. Top with 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Top with 1 heaping Tablespoon of cupcake batter, until the cupcake liners are about 3/4 full. Some of the cinnamon-sugar filling from the center layer may peek through the top layer of batter. Top each cupcake with 1 more teaspoon of the cinnamon-sugar.

Bake the cupcakes for 19-21 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before frosting.

For the frosting: Using a mixer, beat butter on high speed until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Add confectioners’ sugar, cream, and vanilla extract.

Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then switch to high speed and beat for 3 full minutes. Add more confectioners’ sugar if frosting is too thin or more cream if the frosting is too thick. Taste the frosting and add salt if frosting is too sweet. Remove half of the frosting from the mixing bowl and transfer to a smaller mixing bowl. Beat 1 Tablespoon of cinnamon into half of the frosting.

Home&Harvest

Jan/Feb 2018 36

Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes

Heather Niccoli

Cupcakes: 1 box chocolate cake mix recipe from thegirlwhoateeverything.com 2 eggs 1 cup sour cream ½ cup milk ⅓ cup vegetable oil 32-40 Reese’s mini peanut butter cups, unwrapped Peanut Butter Frosting: 1/2 cup butter 1 cup creamy peanut butter 2 cups powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 tablespoons milk (or more as needed)

a

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line cupcake pan with paper liners.

For the cupcakes: Combine the cake mix, eggs, sour cream, milk, and vegetable oil in a large bowl until incorporated. Scrape sides of bowl and then beat on medium-high speed for 3 minutes.

Fill cupcake liners halfway full and press one peanut butter cup into the center of each. Depending on your cupcake pan it could make about 16-20 cupcakes. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until done. Cool.

For the Frosting: In a mixing bowl, cream butter and peanut butter until fluffy. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk and continue creaming until well blended. Blend on low speed until moistened. Beat at high speed until frosting is fluffy adding more milk if needed. Pipe frosting onto cupcakes. Garnish with the remaining peanut butter cups chopped.

204 S. Main St., Moscow ID www.teamIDAHOrealestate.com (208) 882-9500

01-03-161

by h w e a r A n k c z y

01-11-074 The Swingers, The Knotheads, the Misfits, the Splits, the Washouts, Huff & Puff, the Goobers, the Freshman, the Pole Cats, Al Kan, Bowlerama, Spruce Tavern, Neely’s Travel Service and others. These teams were bowlers and citizens seeking out good times with like-minded people. The bowlers of Moscow may have been introduced as people chasing the dream that is 300. However, they formed a community who traveled, celebrated, laughed and yes bowled together. Today we will be examining the history of bowling in Moscow, Idaho from its beginning in 1898 to the closing of the Bowlerama 98 years later in 1996.

Bowling began in Moscow in 1898 when a team of men from the Moscow Elks Club challenged a team in Pullman. In 1916 the Moscow Lodge 249 of the Benevolent Order of the Elks opened the ‘four lane’ in the basement of their hall on 1st and Main streets. Carl Smith and Dr. E. T. Baker were among the men on the committee who installed these first alleys. Carl Smith was also the first president of the Moscow Bowling Association in 1919.

Home&Harvest

Jan/Feb 2018 40

MosCow MediCal where you matter

Moscow Medical welcomes Julie Funke, FNP

Caring for your family …

John Grauke, MD • Deborah Collins, MD Emily Todd, MD • Raymond Paz, MD Julie Funke, FNP

213 N Main Street • 208-882-7565

Julie Funke, FNP

for the Cwholearingperson.

The way we see it, it’s about caring for the whole person: body, mind and soul. Something that, as the nation’s largest not-for-profit provider of senior care and services, we have made our daily mission. And our life’s work.

To learn more about our community, call (208) 882-6560.

All faiths or beliefs are welcome.

The four lane, as it was known, was the first bowling alley in Moscow and introduced the sport to many across the region. The lanes did not have automatic pinsetters, and a young Robert ‘Bob’ Mortensen took on the role of pinsetter in the 1930s.

Bowling in Moscow continued exclusively at the Elks Temple until June of 1957 when Robert ‘Bob’ Mortensen decided to follow his passion. For Robert ‘Bob’ Mortensen, this meant selling his doughnut shop (Bob’s Doughnut Shop) to focus on bringing a large bowling alley to Moscow. After a year of delays due to funding and zoning, the Bowlerama opened on November 21, 1958. The Bowlerama was located across the highway from the University of Idaho at 1030 Pullman Road.

Bowlerama featured twelve lanes with automatic pinsetters.

Men’s and women’s leagues formed immediately and demand for lane time was so intense that an advertisement was taken out in the newspaper reading: “BOWLERS! NOTICE! Effective immediately! Due to the overwhelming interest in Bowlerama, the number system will be used for order of bowling in open play!

NO PHONE RESERVATIONS CAN BE MADE! You must come to Bowlerama to get a number! Bob Mortensen, Bowlerama, Inc.” While players were waiting for a lane, celebrating a high score or lamenting a poor performance they were invited to the Bowlerama Fountain featuring milk shakes, coffee, sundaes and lunch items. Prices from an inaugural menu ranged from 0.10 for an ice cream cone to 0.75 for a fruit salad with cottage cheese or ice cream. Of all of the offerings, the Chip Steak caught my eye, for 0.60 the menu brags it is “A Really Delicious Sandwich.”

Bowling was a regular addition to the local newspaper which celebrated leagues and high scores throughout the area. On December 8, 1959, Mortensen shocked the local area when he bowled a 298 in league play. Only 2 pins shy of a perfect game. He ended the three-game match with a combined score of 701. These scores were high scores for both an individual game and a three-game set at this time at the Bowlerama.

Mortensen was passionate about providing a top-notch bowling experience to the people of Moscow. In August of 1959, less than a year after opening, the Bowlerama closed for ten days to recondition and maintain the alleys. The Bowlerama also brought in professional bowlers to perform and tournaments to keep bowlers excited about the sport.

Mortensen worked hard to keep people’s interest in bowling high. He understood that bowling was a leisure time activity and that people didn’t have to bowl. To that end, Mortensen wanted Bowlerama open and available to people when they had time to bowl. Bowlerama was open 365 days per year and began to open early when Mortensen learned there was a group of night janitors with non-traditional leisure time who wanted to bowl in the morning. Mortensen sent his employees to Main Street in Moscow to talk to people about joining a bowling league.

Bowlerama employees would offer to buy folks a cup of coffee or a cold beverage to discuss the benefits of bowling.

Mortensen was aware that he asked a lot of his employees with Bowlerama open until at least 11 pm most nights. When interviewing potential new employees, he would ask for their family to come as well. This interviewing tactic allowed a prospective employee’s family understood the sacrifices necessary to work in a recreation business. To compensate for this extra time, Mortensen followed the consumer price index for goods in Seattle and gave his employees a raises when the index rose.

SPB 40-001

SPB 43-002 SPB 41-001

The Bowlerama offered citizens a place to gather and enjoy the game of bowling. This indoor recreation came as a welcome escape from the heat in the summer and a warm meeting place in the winter. The alley welcomed people of all ages and skill levels to compete in leagues or drop in for a recreational bowl. The people of Moscow were great bowlers and supporters of the Bowlerama with many people becoming charter members and supporting the Bowlerama throughout its lifetime.

Bowling was also very popular among students at the University of Idaho. In fact when the University renovated the Student Union Building between 1961-1962 four lanes were added. For university students, bowling was more accessible at the student union as opposed to the Bowlerama. Carol (Hinsey) Wnek (UI class of 1978) recalls: “We bowled at the Student Union Building when I went to college. It was more convenient and less expensive for students.”

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and on May 15, 1996, the Bowlerama opened one last time.

There was a farewell party with a dinner held at the Bowlerama. At this final rendezvous Bowlerama photographs, items and remembrances were gathered to be placed in a time capsule, and the pins bowled over one last time. The final bowlers of the night were charter members of the Bowlerama who had been in a league since 1958 when the alley opened.

The Latah County Historical Society which holds a scrapbook collection of the Moscow Women’s Bowling Association and other related records to the Bowlerama. If anybody out there knows the location of the Bowlerama time capsule, the Latah County Historical Society would be interested in keeping it until it is ready to be opened. If you know of this piece of history, please contact Museum Curator Zachary Wnek at zwnek@latah.id.us, 208-882-1004.

Photo Information Mortenson.R.02 - Robert ‘Bob’ Mortensen circa 1955.

01-03-161 - Bowling at the Elks ‘four lane’.

01-11-074 - 1951 Elks bowling team from left to right: Carl Smith, Doc. Baker, Tom Aaring, Oscar Nelson, Kelly Cline.

SPB 41-001 - Joyce Hoffman and Marge Gray react to a tournament by utilizing the Bowlerama Frustration Bag. SPB 41-002 - Maxine Andrews, Jeane McNeilly (of Colfax), Nita Beck, Joyce Hoffman and Valerie Jensen. A group of Moscow bowlers competing at the Women’s International Bowling Congress event in Baltimore, Maryland in 1981.

SPB 41-002

Photo Information SPB 40-001 - A group of Bowlerama bowlers at the 1955 Washington Women’s Bowling Association state tournament in Everett, Washington. Front Row - Katy Rae Boyer, Zita Reisenauer. Back Row - Pat Weniger, Pauline Hattrup, Doris Lawton.

SPB 43-002 - An interior photograph of the Bowlerama showing the lanes, circa 1996.

SPB 43-003 - A photograph of the record board in the Bowlerama, circa 1996.

SPB 43-008 - An exterior photograph of the Bowlerama showing the sign, circa 1996 SPB 43-008

SPB 43-003

Honeybees

the

of Gritman

Heather Nic oli

by

This summer, I spent a lot of time on my front porch enjoying my garden. I found myself in awe of the little and large booms, the seeds that took over sections, and most impressively, the honeybees that tended to it every day. It was only after many hours of reflection that I really began to notice and appreciate what the bees do. You see, sometimes when you come upon a garden, you might notice the roses, or marigolds… the lobelia. Maybe take in some wild poppies or lavender. But sit there for a few minutes and you’ll see them: a mini community of bees coming together to pollenate, to beautiful, to better.

It was one of these warm summer days while watching the bees buzzing that my phone buzzed, too. It was a woman named Cherie from Bertie’s Gift Shoppe, housed in Gritman Medical Center. “Heather,” her message said, “There’s a group of women that I think we need to recognize. The Auxiliary volunteers. They are the ones who make the frogs… you know, the ones who give their time...?”

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Jan/Feb 2018 46

Immediately my mind went back to being a young girl, having unexplained grand mal seizures. I spent a lot of time having testing done at Gritman, and the two vivid memories I have of this time is getting a hand-sewn stuffed frog to squeeze when I was afraid. It was bright, neon orange. I loved it. I remember going back for testing again but forgetting my beloved frog. I have a clear memory of being given another one- this time a two-toned green one.

I loved them so much- I had them for many, many years until they fell apart.

Her message continued, “I think we need to showcase them. Not a business article- the volunteers. They deserve it. They have done so much to help our community. What do you think?’”

I took one look at the honeybees floating from flower to flower, making my little garden community a better place. I smiled and thought to myself: Definitely.

*** I want to introduce you to a world of community action going on around you that you might never have known of. Gritman’s Auxiliary. I want to make it very clear that it is my honor to do these volunteers justice. Although I have only met a handful of the large group that makes up the Auxiliary, I want you to know that they are downright inspiring. I think you’ll feel the same way.

Let’s take it back to the beginning, shall we?

It was September 23, 1963. Marguerite Laughlin was selected to be the first president of the newfound auxiliary.

This was a pioneer situation, nothing like this had been done before on a local level. Forty-five women got to work appointing committees like sewing, furnishing a book cart, and any services the hospital needed. See, the goal of the auxiliary was truly to aid the hospital, and through their first handicraft and hobby fair, located at the Student Union Building, they raised $250. Later, in the spring, they held a tea at the hospital and decided to order bulbs to be sold and delivered in the fall. They did not know how much of an impact this would have the following year.

The second handicraft and hobby fair raised $572 to pay for a full electric bed, and as the number of volunteers grew, so did the support for the hospital. Fundraisers, Christmas-table decorating, and the teas saw to the purchase of another electric bed, two over-bed tables, x-ray equipment, and the list goes on. They also supported the aforementioned Bertie’s Gift Shoppe, selling handmade items, stationary, etc. Through the years, they have grown in numbers and assistance, but more on that later. What I really want to tell you about is some of the women I got to meet in person. Amazing women like Carmella Helbling, Barbara Bull, Janie Nirk, Barb Means, Carolyn Strong and Cherie James.

And my husband never complained,” she laughed, “But we did have to drive up to Spokane a lot to buy the candy for the store.”

While Carmella spoke and I feverishly wrote notes, I looked up more than once to see the women around the table smiling and nodding. It was truly something to see them not only support Gritman, but each other. Carmella had elbowed Barbara Bull a few times in her recollections, and I couldn’t wait to hear her story as well. Some might recognize her from her work as an Ambassador for the Moscow Chamber, as well as the auxiliary. In fact, her story begins much like Carmella’s.

Thanks to Kim Malm, Volunteer Coordinator, I found myself nervously seated in front of this group of volunteers who had done huge things. The ladies graciously smiled and introduced themselves. The room was aglow with positive energy- the kind you find only among the most genuine and giving of people. I really wanted to learn from these women, get to know why they gave of their time and how they got to be involved. Carmella Helbling was the first to introduce herself- she has been with the auxiliary for quite some time. “It was the thing to do.,” she said.

“I was a stay-at-home mom looking for something meaningful to do and I wanted to be involved with the community.”

At this time I noticed something that is very common around genuine people who do good- you really have to pry to get them to toot their own horn! It’s not like the kindness of volunteers to say how great they are, but I really wanted to get them talking about the impact they had- after all, we are talking serious humble beginnings for the auxiliary. You see the gift shop running smoothly today, and never think about the growing pains. That’s because women like Carmella had a hand in its growth. “I began working in the gift shop,” she told me. “I would order items to sell, and stop by the florist to make sure there were flowers in the shop to purchase, and I would stock candy, bags and gift items to sell. It was simple then, small. It was on Washington Street. It was so small, in fact, our cash box was a cigar box! It was so nice and easy. We had a good group of people working together. We also started the $0.50 greeting cards! It was just a great time. We were scared, yes, didn’t always know what we were doing.

“I was a stay-at-home mom, too,” Barbara told me. “It was 1973. I wanted to join and get myself out there. I remember we set up a hot-house in our closet at home to grow little plants for the gift shop. What fun it was! Later on, my daughter became a candy striper, who is now a nurse at Sacred Heart. I became involved in many aspects of the auxiliary, including a service we set up in taking pictures of newborns! We used a Polaroid camera in those days. The nurses took the photos and it was really special. It evolved into a larger scale, so we hired a company to do it. I loved providing these types of experiences for patients.”

Barbara served as auxiliary president from 1978-79, during which, the volunteers bloomed at 110 active members and 39 sustaining. And as I was oohing and aahing over all that these ladies shared so far, there was a quiet reflection that passed through the table for a moment, when Janie Nirk spoke and said, “I think Gritman supports volunteers, they really appreciate us. They treat us as if we were just as important as any employee.” As the collective heads nodded, she went on to tell me about herself. “Being a volunteer makes me feel worthy.” That’s when Barb Means kindly intercepted to say, “She’s very caring. She does so much- she’s just like the Energizer Bunny!” and the women laughed and nodded their heads. Janie blushed and said, “I get so much satisfaction out of being a part of the auxiliary.” I asked her how her journey began and she said, “I thought I didn’t know enough about my community, so I joined.” She went on to tell me the ins-and outs of their beloved frog program I mentioned earlier. “I believe it began in the 1970’s or a little earlier. The nurses here said the little ones should have something to hold if needed for comfort. The auxiliary furnishes a budget for Potlatch to buy materials, etc. Our satellite members make them, and the nurses give them out.” I took a moment to share my frog story with them and I had remembered my frog had glass eyes. They no longer come with glass eyes, I learned (choking hazard), but now have cute hand-stitched eyes. Janie also told me quite a bit about the auxiliary members and their role in sewing; sewing sheets, drapes, curtains, etc. Things you wouldn’t think needed mended but they take care of. It was fascinating to me to realize that privacy curtains, bedding, was once created by hand. There really is such a personal touch to healing.

I should mention that during the meeting, it was clear that the women were used to getting together in bits and getting enormous amounts of work done quickly. These are dedicated and busy women! Janie, for example, still serves on the board, and is treasurer of the auxiliary. I mention the fine art of getting things done, because every time there was a slight delay in my note taking, there was one woman signing other members up for duties to an upcoming event.

That woman is Barb Means.

When I say that Barb was getting things done in-between my interviews, I mean just that. Setting up for their wine tasting event, Barb would whip out notes with who was doing what, and who could volunteer for this or that. I was utterly impressed. The other ladies told me that it was Barb who was responsible for updating the gift shop with a POS (Point of Sale) computerized system. It seemed she had made quite a positive impact on the gift shop, as well as organizing everything to the hilt. I asked her how her journey began. “Well, after my husband passed, I need to do something,” she told me. “I was friends with the woman who was manager of the gift shop at the time. I started helping more and more, and next thing you know she resigned next year and everyone started looking at me to take over.” I kept gushing over her ability to get things done between the lines, but she was more than humble. “I just know it can be hard to get everyone together,” she said. “Sometimes you’ve got to get them while they are right in front of you!” The ladies laughed and agreed.

Sitting in that meeting with these women reminded me that so much is capable, if you are willing to work for it. While you read these snippets of the volunteers who make up the auxiliary, you’ve got to keep in mind that to date, there has been over $700,000 in cash contributions directly due to their hard work. They have certainly come a long way from a cigar box for a cash drawer at Bertie’s Gift Shoppe!

At this point, Carolyn Strong, current auxiliary president introduced herself. During this time, between interviews, the group would sway between their love for volunteering and the reason they were doing it- for the love of Gritman.

In fact, one of the women shared a story with me about how a few years ago, it was the dead of winter and it had snowed quite a few feet. She had come down in the middle of night/ early morning for some reason, where she was greeted by Ken Purnell, one of the janitorial staff members, who has worked there for quite some time. I smiled because I happen to know Ken. He and his wife, Joyce personally deliver magazines to Elk River for me because I can’t always get out there due to anxiety and the distance. They are great people.

Well, she asked Ken what he was doing there on his day offand Ken said he heard the other janitor (who lived in Moscow) couldn’t make it due to the snow. For Ken to drive in from Elk River on his day off, well, that’s saying something.

“That’s the Gritman Attitude,” said Carolyn.

I had to agree. In fact, my whole life is directly connected to this! My dad, Joe Evans, has plowed Gritman since I was a little girl. Every Thanksgiving and Christmas wasn’t enjoyed until my dad could rest knowing that he had safely plowed every flake of snow from their parking lot and he had laid enough de-icer down so it was 100% safe. There were many Christmases when it was totally normal to wait hours to open presents until he got back from Gritman. I know just how much this town really appreciates them. That is how much Gritman matters. I shared this with the ladies and they all agreed. There’s just something special about this place.

With Carolyn being the current president, I knew she had knowledge of the wonderful auxiliary history, as she made it clear how proud she was to be part of such a legacy. From Pasadena to Moscow in 2013, Carolyn got her start at Gritman with the information desk. With her experience as a principal in South Pasadena, Carolyn was no stranger to hard work. “At first, I wondered if I’d be accepted. I admired everything about Gritman. I thought, if I can do this...” She worked her way from info desk to the gift shop, helping with inventory, and where she was needed. It was then Barb gave her a look and Carolyn laughed. “Barb says to me, ‘Would you consider being president?’ And I guess now here I am!”

There are so many more volunteers I wasn’t able to meet, like Marcia Parish, who came up with the idea to design and make her famous fascinators for the Gritman Pink Tea and Cocktail raffle, I was astonished by how interconnected the women were, and how much they supported each other. There are certainly male volunteers who have joined now, but back when the auxiliary began, it was mostly female. When you read a number like the $700,000 I reported earlier and know it came from the hands of local volunteers, you can understand why it’s so important for community to come together to support each other. Their hard work has created quite a ripple effect, as the money from the gift shop goes directly back into our community in the form of scholarships for students. Truly, this is a prime example of what caring for your community means.

I wanted to thank the auxiliary volunteers for meeting with me and sharing their stories. I know there are many, many more who I didn’t get the chance to meet, but I know you are all out there. When I was thinking of how to begin this article, I knew I had to compare you all to honeybees. You are the ones who work behind the scenes, who we see from time to time. You are the ones who pollenate our community and help it grow. You are the ones who will inspire us all to join and serve as you have. Thank you for making our community bloom.

To get involved with the Gritman Auxiliary, contact: Kim Malm, Volunteer Coordinator at 208.883.5520.

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Reloadin’ Joe

Medium Speed Propellants

Joe Evans Ho-hum. Doesn’t the above title sound like you are going to be subjected to discussion of a topic reserved for nerds? Well, maybe, but I will do my best to add a little pizzazz to it. Before I delve further, it would seem in order to describe a medium speed or burning rate propellant… at least what I consider a medium speed propellant. Medium means, more or less, in the middle and implies that it is bordered by fast propellants on one side and slow on the other. Most authors now would list all of the advantages of medium rate powders and leave the disadvantage list for last.

In my usually backward and somewhat dyslexic fashion I will list the disadvantages first. Not many disadvantages to be found! Actually, only one I can think of, velocity, usually is not the highest, but not always.

What do I consider a medium-rate propellant? In the rifle IMR series, I would start at about 3031 and end at 4320. Alliant would start at about RL12 and end at RL17.

Hogdon would be about H335 to H414. The only Winchester number would be 760.

Consult a reloading manual burning rate chart for other manufacturers. Remember, this is only a rough listing, no hard and fast rules apply. So, what are the advantages?

Well first off is cost. Most of us use standard size cases running from about 243 size to 30-06. The medium speed propellants will provide adequate and useable velocities at up to a 20% cost decrease over the slow-burning numbers. Powders seem to be running from about $25 to $30 a pound these days and any cost savings will be appreciated by any volume shooter. Second aspect to consider is accuracy. While there are many factors involved in making an accurate load, propellant selection is always an important consideration. Having said this I can state with great conviction that I have never built what could be considered an unacceptably inaccurate load with a medium speed powder. Most have performed at the peak of a particular rifles’ ability, without a burp. Probably the most frustrating accuracy issue cropped up lately while working up a 30-06 level load with a 150 grain Speer bullet in the 300win. The Sako rifle I used is capable of .5 MOA with somewhat under max loads with the 178 grain Hornady ELD-X, but with IMR 4895 loads at 2900 fps level with the 150 grain bullet. I could only achieve about 1.75 inch groups with vertical dispersion. I’ll have to work a little more on this if I want to turn my 300 into a 30-06. But, even at that, this type of performance can do a fine job of filling the freezer with venison.

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Jan/Feb 2018 53

4895, in the standard size cases will provide good velocity and great accuracy. Recently, I’ve done a fair amount of work working up a load with 75 and 80-grain bullets in the 243 to train a new shooter. Slightly reduced loads at the 3000 fps level produced, .6 inch groups, reduced recoil and muzzle blast, and best of all, shot to the same point of impact as Federal 100 grain factory and equivalent 100 grain reloads for use on deer. Toward the end of the great 22 shortage when my 22 ammo was depleted, I did some work with 4895 168 grain cust lead (no gas check). Bullets in the 30-30, rifle tested was a nearly new pre-64 model 94 carbine. Cheap, extremely pleasant to shoot, and no leading observed. Velocity was not measured but approximately 1400 fps accuracy was right at 2 inches at 50 yards and with my eyes and open sights is about all I could expect.

This would have been my load and gun to go out and play with if the 22 shortage continued. 4895 also works great with full charge loadings with 150 and 170 grain jacketed bullets. With the 130 grain Speer bullet, I switched to using H335. Accuracy was good, ad velocity above 2500 fps. H335 has also done well in the 222 and 5.56. Being a ball powder, it meters well through powder measures and I have not experienced any ignition problems using standard primers. 4895 is a great powder but my all-time favorite has to be 4064. Over the years I have burned quite a few pounds of this mid-speed propellant and have never been disappointed. Most has been consumed by my 270’s, a 7x57, and 6mm Remington. With various 100-grain bullets in the 270 I have used between 50.0 and 52 grains 4064 and have sent many varmints that great rodent hole in the sky. Tremendous combination! Great case life, great accuracy, low recoil, and tremendous down range capability. What more can I say? The 6mm Remington is a much-overlooked caliber which can really deliver the mail.

4064 can deliver close to 3000 fps with 100-grain bullets and 1-inch accuracy.

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The 6mm I have used is one of the first 700 Remington produced and has a 22 inch barrell-sporter weight. I’ve used both Hornady 70 grain SX and 70 grain Speer TNT bullets propelled to 3600-3650 with healthy doses of 4064.

Accuracy runs between .6 and .8 inch- depending on how much coffee I have consumed. Very wicked load. Shortly after Nosler introduced the 55-grain ballistic tip bullet I obtained some and let the hot rod-der in me run rampant. 4148 fps was the final figure obtained with moderate pressure, fine accuracy, performance on small varmints has to be seen to be believed. Varget and RL15 are two other propellants in this burning rate range but I have no experience with either. A lot of people use them and the people I have directly talked to seem to like them a lot. Could be I am missing out on something great!

The medium speed propellants will accomplish most any task set before them and do it with no fuss or muss. Don’t miss out on the fun they can provide! About the only thing you will give up is the bragging rights of a few feet per second.

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A

newfound love

...for the noisy tree squirrel

BY

Dawn Evans

I know I’ve written about these creatures in past articles: the tree squirrel. Also known as the timber tiger or woods narc. For many years these creatures have been a royal pain in my ass. Always blowing my cover. Or making so much racket I thought a large animal was there. Hard to believe sometimes that such a small creature can make so much noise. This season, I’ve learned a new admiration for these creatures. That all God’s creatures have a place and we can learn from each and every one, as well as use them to our advantage.

Every fall begins a new elk season, in which, to me, feels just like Christmas morning. I’ve scouted all year, trained, and now to get the camper ready for living in the woods until I have accomplished my mission. This season, however I wasn’t able to get any bull elk on my game cameras. And that is the only elk I can legally take until mid season when we can get a cow for three days. I was bummed to say the least. I did catch one spike bull on the other side of the mountain but I only saw him once on camera during the several months my cams were up. So honestly I was just hoping during cow time that I would be lucky. I did however cam a 6x7 whitetail that I found his sheds a year back. This deer is a toad. Not to mention smart as deer get. I must have gotten over thirty pictures of this beast.

Opening day, October 10, I go to the clearcut in which I got the one picture of the spike. Sat all morning without seeing so much of a doe. I decided the best plan was to sit in the little place I put my cameras and pray the toad would come by. Around noon I hiked up to the top of the mountain, in an area no bigger than 50 yds. Two skidder trails converge here. Naturally I perched on top of a little hill trying my best to keep my smell up high, overlooking these trails. Not gonna lie here, hours went by. My phone was almost dead from the cold and me playing on it to keep sane. I laid down because I couldn’t feel my legs and feet from sitting so long. I watched the clouds. I chatted with a huckleberry bush asking it if this was its life. Staring at a whole lot of nothing. Wondered if it was ever bored of this life, because I was sure losing my marbles.

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Jan/Feb 2018 58

Then, from the right I heard a squirrel. Chip chip chip chip... I laughed and said to myself, ‘dumb squirrel, the wind is in my face, you can’t smell me!’ Then, his squirrel friend from across the way chimed in. Wait a minute I thought, what happens if they’re narcing something else off? So I sat up and just then heard a hoof hit a rock.

Slowly I peered over the ledge and kid you not, that spike bull was ten feet below me. Munching on the little grasses with no idea I was above him. Adrenaline surged in my veins which is a little painful at first. I thought if I stand, I’ll blow my cover for what might be the only legal elk I may see. And I don’t care what anyone says, but when you’re presented with a legal elk, you take that.

Nothing beats a freezer full of elk.

There’s a dead fall to the right of me with little branches everywhere. So I slowly rested my Winchester on the branches and dialed down my Swarovski. I’m zeroed at a hundred yards... how do I make a shot this incredibly close? I pushed the barrel down ever so slow as not to make noise, to locate his vitals. However, I have small sticks in front of my muzzle. I prayed the close proximity to the muzzle will break the sticks and not interfere with my bullet’s path. The bull looked up at me as I squeezed the trigger aiming a little high on his vitals. I’m not gonna lie here, I HEARD the bullet hit that elk. I immediately stood, ejected the spent round and loaded another. The bull just stood there. Slowly he turned sideways and bled out like a tapped maple tree.

And down he went. Not one step. I carefully made sure he was with the Lord. I really wish someone would have witnessed that with me for it was so close, so amazing, and I told the bored huckleberry bush, now you finally had an exciting day!

I took pictures and tagged him. Being almost four in the evening, I had to get help, so I didn’t gut him. I called my boyfriend to tell him the great news, and even being from California and not a hunter, he offered to help if I couldn’t find anyone! What a great guy! I called my friend Chris and he was more than willing to come help. In fact the conversation went like this. “Hey Chris!

Whatcha doing?” He replied in a whisper “Sitting in a field.” And my response was yelling “Not now brother!

BULL DOWN! Can you come help me?”

Without hesitation he asked my location and said he’s on his way. Yay! So I ran, ran all the way to my camp, got my dog Azza and a shotgun, headlamps, water, food, and a lantern along with the game cart my non hunter boyfriend got me and went to the road below where my elk lay. It felt like forever waiting for Chris. I HATE leaving my game but I had to get help and stuff. We hauled butt up the mountain for we knew the dark is coming and in all things scary, nothing, I repeat nothing is more scary than packing out meat, covered in blood, in the pitch black woods.

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We worked hard and fast, quartering that animal as fast as possible. Watching constantly for other predators. We loaded the game cart with all four quarters, as Chris took the cart. I strapped the head to my pack filled with back straps and loins and gear. It’s now dark.

The wind is howling so bad we cannot hear anything. Chris is manhandling the cart over humps, sticks, logs, rocks. We are both scared. I’m humped over from all the weight on my back, trying to watch Chris’s back with my 12 gauge. I thought this is what it must be like to be at war, well, kindof. Chris, in front of me stops and pans his headlamp over a tree line below us.

“Dawn, you see that?” I scrambled to see what he does. In the trees, two sets of glowing eyes stare back. “What the hell is that you think?” I ask. He said he’s got no idea. I’m about to pee my pants. So I yelled at the eyes. “GET! GET OUTTA HERE! GO!” They didn’t move. So I sent a shotgun blast out. One ran the other stayed. I don’t like this. I told Chris just go! And I’ll have your back. We moved so fast it was unbelievable. Finally getting to the rig, I took my pack off and felt like I could jump over my truck. Chris unloaded the cart and said “Dawn, look at this.” Oh my gosh- we had lost the codder pin and o ring off the game cart wheel. It was holding by pure faith. We were so so lucky we didn’t lose that wheel.

I’ve gone back in hopes to see what that was in the treeline. And the pine needle ridden ground didn’t give me any tracks. I found the codder pin and o ring by the rib cage. Wow. What an amazing day. The very thing I love about this sport. In an instant the day changes and anything can happen in the blink of an eye. Who knew that a tiny animal such as the squirrel could be my scout. That something that could annoy me so greatly, may one day save my life from another predator. Just by being the noisy little things they were created to be. Here’s to another successful season.

S

wheat

farm life

Gayle Anderson

S

Sometimes when life does not go as planned and it gets really hard, that is when the true essence of human kindness and love surfaces in many forms. Not only in my life have I personally experienced this, but also I see it in my community and across the country. The true friends surface and are there for you. The care, love and compassion shown is a beacon of hope and good and it helps you get through the dark days. I remember several occasions when friends and community have gathered to form a protective cloak over a family and the outpouring of help was incredible. In light of recent of tragic events nationwide that have occurred these past few months, let me share some good events and a peak into what I have witnessed and been a part of.

My very first introduction to a community coming together to help was back when I had been farm wife for about three years. I was awestruck when I saw how the other farmers came together to bring in the crops when one of their own had passed away just days before harvest. It was called a “harvest bee�. His death had left his widow and almost grown up children with their wheat harvest looming in the midst of a personal tragedy. This was a long-standing beloved farm family in Genesee and together the agriculture community showed up, men with their combines and farm trucks. In addition, it was not only the men, but also the other farm wives, if who were not driving the trucks or combines, showed up with food to feed the crews. It was a feel-good scene almost straight out of a movie, but it was real life and the farmer husband and I were there to be a part of this. Imagine a perfectly choreographed line up of silver, red or green combines cutting the wheat on a beautiful hot August day under the blue skies of the Palouse. These farmers had put their own harvest on hold for a day to help one of their own in need. An action like this was a given and no one really thought it was out of the ordinary, but I was truly enchanted with seeing what others do for others. There was a need and the Ag community rose to embrace and help. Seeing the grateful smiles from the family that arose in the midst of their heartache, was a catalyst for me to understand what lending a helping hand is all about. Thus, it set the stage for a lifetime of wanting to try to help others in need as best I could.

Several years later, there were two community showers for friends that stand out in my mind.

The first one was for a respected business owner of a favorite watering hole and restaurant in town. He and his wife are known for their love of Christmas decorations, which were lavishly festooned throughout their place of business. When our girls were little, this was the couple who started a fun tradition of bringing in the community and their kiddos together for an evening of socializing, drinks, snacks and it ending with a visit from a well-known big guy dressed in red who hailed from the North Pole. Our girls, as well as myself, would eagerly await the invitation in the mail inviting us to come us to their establishment. The parents would enjoy a free adult beverage, the kiddos would have hot cocoa and enjoy the gaiety of the season, plus the kids knew there was a gift coming. A few years later, disaster struck one summer evening and a fire destroyed not only their home which was located above their business but their livelihood. That following Christmas, a community shower for Christmas decorations was held and we provided the snacks and drinks as well restocking their supply of decorations for their newly reopened business. It was a show of appreciation from their customers and community.

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Jan/Feb 2018 64

The next community shower was not long ago for one of my friends and former neighbor, whose house burned down last winter. This couple, again, a much-loved part of the community, lost everything in the blink of an eye. Thankfully, it was just stuff and no human loss. And the community rallied around them, funds were donated to buy clothes and necessities and find housing. Once their new home was nearing completion, a “restock the kitchen shower” was held. For most of us, the kitchen is the heart of the home, and the event was an outpouring of care and love in the form of Tupperware, Pampered Chef and all the fun good stuff. And knowing the family as I do, I am sure that with each utensil, container or appliance used in the course of filling hungry tummies, that it is a physical reminder of the outpouring of love from their friends and neighbors.

And the last really precious story to share, was several years ago and thinking of it still brings a smile to my face. For some reason that I can’t remember, I was asked to oversee making chocolate chip cookies with the Sunday School kids at St. John’s Church in Genesee. The ages ranged from kindergarten to 6th grade. And as I was gathering up the ingredients from home, an inspiration hit me and I brought along all different kinds of chips, chocolate, white, butterscotch and peanut-butter. As the kids mixed in the sugar, flour, butter, etc, I explained that each of these ingredients were important and that without each one, that the end result wouldn’t turn out okay. And when it was time to add in the chips, it was then I explained that just like making cookies and needing different kinds of ingredients, that sometimes when we needed to do great things to help one another, that it sometimes you needed the help of lots of other people who are different from each other. And I held up a white chip and said, this could be like us, a white person, then I held up a chocolate chip and said this could represent the black people, then I said, that there were different colors of brown people and that showed them the peanut-butter and butterscotch chips. The kids were very attentive and taking in every word, when one 4th grade boy walks up, takes a white chip and solemnly says, “these white ones are like the “Norwegians” in my family. It completely caught me off-guard and all I could do was I smile and choke back a giggle. And the kids added in all the different kinds of chips, baked the cookies and they all agreed these cookies were the best ones… ever. They said it was because the cookies had all the different kinds of chips to make it great. Out of the mouth of babes.

And all it takes is just one person who sees a need to help another and decides to take action. The selfless desire to help someone else is beyond the beauty of the act, it is truly the face of compassion, caring and love. The wellspring of good that emerges after a disaster or tragedy is what I like to focus on. But in all respect, we don’t have to wait for bad things to happen, we can make being kind and helpful to others an everyday ordinary event. A few weeks ago in church, I noticed a middle-aged man picking up a sweater from the floor and carefully placing it on the back of an elderly women’s chair. She was unaware of the act, but I saw

-it and it made me smile. And I thought to myself, here are these two people, different sexes, different races, but it came down to one person doing a kind act, regardless of race or gender, and more of that is needed in this world.

As we start this New Year, I urge you, as the reader, to seek the good, step out of your comfort zone and lend a helping hand to those around you. Whatever form of help is a start and as a community, we can be the change of good.

My favorite motto by Gandhi is, “be the change you wish to see in the world”, and it starts with you and me.

This year, after moving from my beloved Genesee community to my new beloved community in Moscow, I’ll be seeking out where I can lend my talents and see what charity or group I can invade and help with. And I ask you, as the reader, to take action and do something good in your world. Let me tell you, if you have ever been the recipient of kind acts, it is the balm to soothe a wounded heart. And when you do, let’s start our own personal movement of kindness, so when we do something good for our community or someone else, lets hashtag, #Icare and start a good trend for the new year . Who knows, maybe it will catch on. With that, I look forward to seeing and hearing what you are up to as well and will be looking for the #Icare hashtags on social media. So come on and let us be our own beacon of hope and compassion. It only takes one person, one kind act to start the pathway to human kindness.

All my best,

Gayle

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