Good Living in southern Illinois

December 2009

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December 2009

Letter from the

Publisher

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e love this issue of Good Living in Southern Illinois. I always love the holiday issues, but this particular one is not just so much Christmas as it is the work of friends, advertisers and family who have put their unique touch on what you find within this magazine. Both the people in the stories and the storytellers contributed their special talent to make this a memorable collection of some of the most interesting features of the season in Southern Illinois.

Dave O’Melia, the same writer and photographer who took us on a trip down Cache River with him in the last issue, take us along on the foxhunt. I had only vaguely heard of the fox hunting in Southern Illinois and the fact that this event takes place with full pageantry is probably a surprise to many long time residents. Dave's photographs capture the glorious autumn beauty of the countryside.

Chef Lasse Sorenson of Tom's place takes us step by step through the process of cooking the perfect turkey. He was so kind to be so generous with his time and expertise, even on the afternoon a typically busy restaurant evening. This man is not only a great chef, but also an excellent teacher. We are proud to have Chef and his wife, MaryJane contribute to our magazine.

I selfishly chose cutout Christmas cookies for this issue, mainly because I have never had much luck with this holiday treat. Dale Clayton put Larry's House of Cakes brand on this article, sharing the secrets of getting it right this holiday. Thank you Dale, David and Neil.

Both the turkey and the cookie stories were an attempt to be helpful to our readers this Christmas season, and another way we attempted to do that was to enlist the expertise of Sam Cox, owner of My Favorite Toys at the University Mall. Sam's toys are wonderful, and his suggestions in the ABCs of Toys are unique and thoughtful. I really think he can't wait to lock his door at night so he can play with all the toys in his store. It's obvious that he loves what he does, and we love the fact that he shared his suggestions with all of us.

I want to ask you not to miss “What Can You Do?”, a wonderful story to read aloud to your own children. Genelle Rissi Bedokis is my sister, and she wrote this story years ago when her children were little. We are so proud to be able to share it with our readers.

Robert McCord and George Michalic were two West Frankfort residents present at the attack on Pearl Harbor. Mr. McCord passed away this year but both their stories are phenomenal, and it seemed a shame that their audience was limited to the West Frankfort community. God bless you to every veteran who gave so much for our freedom.

And as always, our columnists have put their signature on this magazine as only they can do. Humor, nostalgia and sensitivity are the characteristics that make us eagerly await receiving them. They are the part of every issue that is the only surprise to us. Our friend, Sherri Murphy tears at our heart strings as she remembers a Christmas when a little child, her own little child in this case, led her to remember the true spirit of Christmas giving.

Gary Marx is also looking back in remembering what what winter was like in his ‘pre-historic youth’, and remembering why he remembers it so well.

Julie Willis is not looking back so much this issue, as looking ahead and thinking of all the things she wants to do. Her “bucket list” thoughts are right on target.

Finally, I would like to add many, many thanks to our advertisers. We hear from so many of our readers about how much you enjoy Good Living in Southern Illinois and how you share it with neighbors, family and even friends who live many miles away. If you do, please mention that to our advertisers when you have the opportunity. Remember they are the ones who put this issue in your hands today. It is their gift to you.

December 2009 3

PUBLISHERS Michael A. Thomas Gail Rissi Thomas EDITOR Gail Rissi Thomas e-mail: pollyagain@aol.com COPY EDITOR Genelle Bedokis Jan Catalina LAYOUT / GRAPHIC DESIGN

Michael A. Thomas

e-mail: mthomas100@mchsi.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Gary Marx Sheri Murphy Julie Willis Dave O’Melia PHOTOGRAPHY Michael Thomas Dave O’Melia MAILING ADDRESS 309 East Oak • West Frankfort, IL 62896 PHONE NUMBER (618) 937-2019 SUBSCRIPTIONS

Good Living in Southern Illinois

is published quarterly. It is available free of charge through our advertisers. It is also available to readers through a subscription of $16 per year for four issues mailed to your address. To subscribe send check and your mailing address to: Good Life Publications 309 East Oak Street West Frankfort, IL 62896

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December 2009

Volume 2 No. 4 December 2009 Cover Shot: Tally Ho! Photographer and horseman Dave O’Melia takes us foxhunting in southern Illinois.

Features 8 The ABC’s of Holiday Toys 14 Heroes Among Us: Pearl Harbor 18 Helen’s Honey’s 24 Tally Ho! 32 Talking Turkey 36 What Can You Do? 38 Christmas Cookies

Departments 6 Gary Marx The Word for Winter 16 Sherri Murphy Puppy Shoes 22 Julie Willis The List

December 2009 5

Ships, Shoes and Sealing Wax

by Gary Marx

“The Word for Winter”

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ou know, if it weren’t for the cold and snow and the ice and wind, winter wouldn’t be so bad. But winter has an annoying tendency to get wintry, doesn’t it?

I developed an attitude toward the season early on, during those prehistoric days of childhood. We lived up north back then, and we’d get a lot of snowstorms. And at least once every winter, we’d just get hammered.

They say the Eskimos have hundreds of words for snow, depending on the type. My brother and I had a word for the deep and drifting snow left by one of these storms.

The word was “Whoa!”

If one of us woke up and looked out the window and said, “Whoa!” the other would know exactly what he meant.

“Whoa snow” was a good snow, especially if it came on a school day and if you could go out and just play in it. But if it were cold and windy — even if it canceled school — you just wanted to stay inside, and “whoa snow” became something else. It was then called “whoa-oh-no snow.”

It was after one of those whoa-oh-no snows, which came, unfortunately on a Saturday, that Dad hustled us outside to help him shovel the driveway.

Tough love.

I know now that the driveway was only a few hundred square feet, but back then it seemed like 40 acres. The distance from the garage to the street was here to eternity.

Whenever you went out into a snow like this, it took some preparation.

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December 2009

Actually, there’s a science to it. You want to be warm enough, but you don’t want to be so bundled up that you can’t move and protect yourself when your brother comes at you with a shovel.

snow had seeped into my boots and now my toes were feeling squishy.

So you followed a certain protocol when getting dressed. First came the long johns, then a pair of socks, and you tucked the long johns into the socks to prevent what is known as thermal creep. Nothing worse than a pair of rebellious long johns.

Back inside I knocked snow from my boots, and while hanging up my wet winter wear I stole a glance out the window. It was still blowing and snow was drifting in open areas, but my brother’s wall of snow, I was only slightly happy to see, was working just as he had designed it.

Then came the insulated top, the second pair of socks, the jeans and a shirt.

At the back door you slipped into a hooded sweatshirt and a pair of rubber boots, and then you punched yourself into a heavy coat and pulled on a knit cap. The last thing you grabbed was a pair of gloves and a sense of dread.

The wind hit us just as we left the back door. Dad had started the work and had two shovels waiting for us. Once we got started, he disappeared. Even tougher love.

My brother, two years older than I, would assume the role of foreman in situations like this, and he pretty much told me how to grip my shovel and which way to throw the snow and how I was to hold my mouth while doing so.

Thankfully, though, we finished the job in just under 14 hours. Or so it seemed.

When I removed my boots, I discovered my socks had turned blue and my toes were red, and as I padded barefoot across the cold tile toward my room, I mildly cursed winter.

But you know, if my toes hadn’t been so cold, the fresh socks I put on just then wouldn’t have felt so good. I almost forgot how miserable I had been outside. And back in the living room, Dad had a fire going in the fireplace.

While my brother and I were shoveling snow, he’d been chopping wood, and the house smelled faintly of wood smoke. It was downright cozy.

“Good job out there,” Dad said, and he squeezed my shoulder as I found a

spot in front of the fire. My brother and I propped our feet up and toasted them in the direct heat.

There are times today, like right now, that I am still warmed by this memory.

And I don’t mind winter at all. As a matter of fact, I appreciate it.

Meanwhile, Mom had made some hot chocolate and brought each of us a steaming mug. With marshmallows.

The Eskimos might have a lot of words for hot chocolate, too. But my brother and I had our own word for it when it came to your lips as you sat in front of a fire, warming your toes in fresh woolen socks.

And the word was “Ahhh.”

Gary Marx is a former columnist and news editor for The Southern Illinoisan.

He’s now a freelance writer and author, and he works for The Kansas City Star. But no matter where he is, he’ll always be an Illinois boy. Contact him through his Web site: www.marxjournal.com.

He would grow up to become an architect, but even back then he had definite ideas on how to build structures and organize construction projects. So he had a particular notion about how the snow was to be removed from the driveway and where it was to be stacked. Snow was never “piled” on my brother’s watch, it was always “stacked.”

His idea was to build a wall to act as a shield against the wind, to stop further drifting in the driveway. I recognized the nobility of his vision, but his work process and my role as grunt laborer merely added to my misery, which was compounded by the fact that somehow

December 2009

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By Sam and Suzanne Cox

The ABC’s of Holiday Toys

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ith a gazillion aisles of toys to maneuver this holiday season, bloodcurdling screams can be heard in the near distance, imploring, “Can we just get back to basics!” Fear not,

Good Living readers. Amid the gizmos, electronics and fights over Zhu Zhu Pets, we present an alphabetical look at toys for the holidays.

ltogether, now: take a deep breath as you enter the toy store or toy section of the big-box store. This is supposed to be fun. Stress over the gift for the mother-in-law or Uncle Frank if you must. But give yourself some time to re-living childhood and enjoy the experience of toy shopping.

A

ananagrams are the latest version of the classic anagrams game. Packaged in a cloth banana, this table game can be played by kids seven through adulthood. There are some Scrabble similarities here, but each player creates his/her own crosswords.

B

ardboard boxes. Yup, when the National Toy Hall of Fame selected their initial winners, near the top was the empty appliance cardboard box, no kidding. Inexpensive, ready for creative play….and recyclable! So think twice before you toss those boxes on Christmas morning!

C

inosaurs are classics. that, for generations, have been wonderful for pretend and free play for ages 3-12 (particularly boys). Who ever knew there were so many ‘-asauruses’ known to the dino-crazed youngster?

How come they can focus for hours on the difference between a sinrapter and a corythosaurus but can’t grasp the concept of “eat your vegetables?”

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lastic, to a toy fanatic, brings to mind memories of childhood rubber band shooters. For the little guys, however, perhaps the marshmallow shooter would be safer. Both are available in area toy stores.

E

riendship is obviously an important concept for youngsters. Fortunately, there are many games, puzzles, and activities reinforcing friendship, such as the “Best Friends Forever” magnetic wooden doll set by Melissa and Doug and the Berenstain Bears books about making and keeping friends.

F

I Joe entered the scene in 1964 and became a wildly popular action figure during the late 1960s and 1970s.

Joe even made it to the aforementioned Toys Hall of Fame. For action figures of a more historic and literary nature,

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December 2009

check out the Einstein, Freud and Marie Antoinette figures manufactured by Accoutrements, a zany company based in Seattle, WA. obbies, such a source of fun and stress-reduction for oldsters, can be introduced to the youngest members of the family through gifts from the toy store’s arts and craft, pretend cooking, or book sections. The key, we think, is to expose children to a wide variety of activities, some of which they will treasure and thank you for years from now.

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nsects can elicit squeamishness or delight in a child (or a parent or grandparent!) Is the child for which you are buying a budding entomologist? Companies such as Safari, Ltd. And Toysmith distribute a wide variety of creepy crawlies that are both educational and just plain fun.

I

ump ropes have always kept kids occupied on the playground, and have provided great exercise, burning 10-15 calories per minute. Hmm, how about buying one for you?

J

aleidoscopes make wonderful gifts. They can be small for stocking stuffers, or larger, themed ‘scopes. My Favorite Toys in Carbondale even has holiday kaleidoscopes with candies in the view section you can eat after enjoying the designs!

K

honors Legos. After 50+ years of production, there are now 62 Lego bricks for every person on the planet! Today, the top-selling Lego themes include Star Wars, City, Bionicles, and Technics. And the younger set can jump into the Lego world with Duplos, the larger bricks for little hands.

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onsters, in the world of child’s play, can be both fun and frightening,….and sometimes it’s fun to be frightened! Items such as “Make Your Own Monster Puppets “ by Melissa and Doug or “Go Away Monster,” the board game from Gamewright, Inc., can provide great fun and

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can also teach mastery over those pesky nighttime monsters. ot for kids only….that’s one of the mottos of the toy store where we hang out. Playing with our children and grandchildren is a precious gift which our child will remember for a lifetime. Sometimes tiring for the adult, play with children can also be healthy and a connection to our own best selves. George Bernard Shaw observed, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing.”

N

balls have become a popular play ball throughout southern Illinois. They’re easy to toss, catch, grasp, and they are nearly indestructible. They come in different sizes, and now there is even an oball rattle.

O

uppets meet so many needs of a child….and they are fun!

Motor functions, group cooperation, oral language development, therapeutic role-playing, storytelling and many other benefits derive from puppetry. Beautiful puppets are manufactured today.

Puppets are a great investment!

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uandaries do exist for relatives buying toys for children who live far away. If you have no idea what to buy or what toys are worth your dollars, try to visit a toy store employing knowledgeable staff who will take the time to assist you. Toy shopping for important people in your life deserves some old-fashioned customer service!

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andom House Publishing surely doesn’t have the corner on great children’s books, but they do produce the classic Little Golden Book series. Remember “The Pokey Little Puppy,” “The Shy Little Kitten,” and “Nurse Nancy.?” Every child’s library needs books from this timeless series. No purchase provides a greater return on investment than a great read-to or “I Can Read” book.

R

ensory development from infancy can be supported by the appropriate toys. Toys should stimulate the senses, but not stifle them. For instance, engaging but not obnoxious sounds should be sought. Another favorite motto: Toys that kids can play with, not toys that play with the kid!

S

oxic toys happily have pretty much left the scene in this country. New federal legislation early this year imposed greater testing and documentation for any toy produced in or entering the United States. Tighter standards are still no substitute for parental care and oversight, however.

T

gly Dolls? Who would want an ugly doll?

Well, these creative plush characters with fun names and personalities have swept through southern Illinois and are purchased as newborn gifts, by middle-schoolers, and are collected by adults. They’re quite a craze!

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alue. We and other successful toy stores pay a lot of attention to the play value of any toy we consider for our shelves. Will it engage the child? Does it add to the toy box by offering a variety and different types of play?

Will it last? Is it age appropriate? Is it a good investment of money? Ideally, these are questions shoppers will also ask.

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ish lists are good teaching opportunities. Wishing is fun. Wish lists provide help for the adult shopper. If a wish list is long enough to reach from the child’s bedroom to the kitchen, they’re a chance to talk about “what’s too much,” sharing, and family resource limits.

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ylophones are just one of many beginner musical instruments to consider for the holidays. Even kazoos and inexpensive harmonicas can spark interests in music. Several nice combo “bands” of such instruments can be found in a toy store’s music section.

X

oyos are making a comeback. Basic models from the old Duncan yoyo line have been introduced and won’t break the budget.

Y

ip Bins are an innovative, fun and functional item in area toy stores this year. They’re a combination playmat/storage chest in several different themes. Use the playmat, then when it’s time to pick up, place toys in the bin and store it away!

Z

Now we know our ABCs. …….Happy holidays to all!

Samuel and Suzanne Cox are coowners of My Favorite Toys at University Mall in Carbondale. They have a combined 73 years experience in education, working with people with disabilities, and since 2005, as toymeisters. Toys shown are available at our store

December 2009

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Heroes Among Us

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The USS Arizona sinks beneath the waters of Pearl Harbor with the loss of over 1,000 crew members.

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here were no big anniversary gatherings at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii this December. Two years ago, it was decided that the veterans who have been called "the first American witnesses to the last World War," now in their eighties and nineties, find the trip to the site of the attack on Pearl Harbor too difficult to make, too far in distance and too long in travel time.

The dwindling numbers of airmen, sailors and soldiers in attendance in 2006 caused the president of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, Mal Middlesworth, to comment that at the rate things were going, “our next national reunion could be held in a phone booth. And we don’t have any replacement troops,” he quipped.

It is estimated that we are losing our World War II heroes at the rate of about 1,100 a day and the number of survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack may have di10

By Michael A. Thomas

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Two West Frankfort residents, George Michalic and Robert McCord, were sailors aboard different ships during the attack by Japan on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

minished to only a few hundred. Perhaps that is what makes it somewhat surprising that two West Frankfort residents were there at Pearl Harbor, on December 7, 1941, serving their country when the Japanese launched the attack that would kill 2,335 servicemen and thrust the United States into World War II. West Frankfort resident, Robert McCord, was one of the thousands of young men who had joined the navy looking for

December 2009

adventure and found more than he could have ever imagined that morning as he began what seemed a routine day aboard his ship the USS Detroit. The light cruiser was anchored just a few hundred yards across Ford Island from a row of battleships. Those battleships of course, were the main target of the attack.

“I was just finishing up breakfast,” McCord recalls. “I heard the explosion followed by the emergency call, ‘Aweigh, One of the few US warships to escape Pearl Harbor relatively unscathed, the USS Detroit served as the flagship for the 6th fleet during the end of WWII and was given an honorary mooring next to the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay during the signing of the Japanese surrender.

(Photo courtesy of Robert McCord)

fire and rescue.’ I ran one deck up to topside and saw the smoke and the planes. A plane passed so low overhead that I could see the face of the Japanese pilots. There were two of them.”

McCord, a pointer on one of the big anti-aircraft guns, took his battle station and began firing. His memory of that time was a period of chaos. “There was so much noise and confusion, a lot of mistakes,” he says. “We were all shooting at everything. We were shooting at birds.”

In a newspaper interview with the Daily American over 25 years ago, he recalled in more detail what the scene was like. “You could see a lot of smoke coming from the destroyers, but we didn’t think it was as bad as it was,” he said. “There was a lot of confusion; you just didn’t have time to take it all in. People who read a lot of history probably have a better idea of what happened that day than I do. It seemed like the attack went on all day, although it didn’t go on nearly that long.”

As soon as the crew could get organized, the Detroit set out for open seas and a rendezvous with other ships that had managed to survive the attack. It was one of very few ships that managed to sail out of the harbor that day.

McCord went on to serve on a hospital transport ship during much of the remaining time of his active duty. He returned to West Frankfort, where he raised his family and owned and operated a refrigerator equipment repair business.

Another West Frankfort resident was in the midst of the battle on that fateful day. George Michalic took some time out of his Monday morning only one day after the anniversary of the attack to reflect on the memories that have haunted him for 67 years and to share his thoughts with us for the magazine.

Michalic was Chief Petty Officer on the Vestal, a repair ship with a crew of pipefitters, welders, woodworkers and every type of laborer and craftsman that could be needed to keep ships in good repair. The Vestal was tied stem to stern with the USS Arizona. “We had tied up to the Arizona and gone aboard on Friday,” Michalic says. “We were looking over things that needed repairing or replacing, and we scheduled Monday for our crew to go back and begin the work.”

But Monday never came for The Arizona. On Sunday, the gigantic warship was destroyed by a 25-ton, armor piercing bomb. It took only nine minutes for

Mcord was a boatswain’s mate abord the USS Detroit which was staioned on the west side of Ford Island. Michalic was a Chief Petty Officer aboard the repair ship USS Vestal which was moored directly east of the battleship USS Arizona.

the ship to sink, taking with it the lives of 1,170 crew members.

“I was blown off my ship into the

Robert McCord passed away shortly after this article was first published last year.

water by the force of the blast,” Michalic says. “Before the explosion came, I was in the carpenters’ shop. Some of the chief officers were playing pinochle. We heard the command, ‘All hands, man your battle stations.’ One of the officers told me to go up top to see what was going on. I couldn’t believe the Japanese planes. All I remember (of the explosion) was reaching up for my hat and the next thing I knew, I was in the water.”

“One bomb hit the Vestal, but it malfunctioned. I don’t know what happened; there was very little movement on it, and it went straight down, But it did hit the carpenters’ shop. Actually it just missed my bunk. After I hit the water, I got myself together enough to swim to the ladder of our ship, and I was able to climb back aboard. There was so much smoke and fire. Everything was confusion.”

For those of us who have only heard

December 2009

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On the morning of Sunday, December 7th, 1941, the USS Vestal (rear) was moored within five feet of the USS Arizona (foreground) when a Japanese bomb struck the Arizona and tore into one of her magazine compartments. The force of the ensuing blast knocked Michalic—who was standing on the stern of the Vestal—some 25 feet into the water. Michalic suffered permanent hearing loss from the explosion. (Insert: Visitors to Pearl Harbor can still see the mooring spot of the Vestal.)

(Courtesy of George Michalic

the story of Pearl Harbor from the cold, lifeless pages of history books, the sights and sounds of a veteran’s memories of that day come alive when we hear them in his words. “I’ve often wondered why a ship will burn. It’s nothing but iron, you know. But of course the Arizona was on fire, and our

ship was on fire. I could see the men on the Arizona trying to man their battle stations with their clothes burning. The water between the Arizona and the Vestal was nothing but flames, and we were able to rescue a few of the crew from the Arizona that had been blown into the water between the The USS Arizona explodes.

This dramatic photograph depicts the moment the forward magazine of the Arizona exploded. It is probably the blast that blew George Michalic off the USS Vestal and into the oil-covered water. (photo US Naval Archives)

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December 2009

two ships. I ran past a man from our crew in the carpenters’ shop who had been hit in the back. I said, ‘Are you ok?’ and he said, ‘I think so. George, look at my back and see if I’m bleeding. The shrapnel had dug a hole in his back, but the metal was so hot that it had seared his flesh and stopped the blood.”

“Our ship was 18 feet above the water line and the Japanese planes were coming in so low that I could see one of the pilot’s face. He was grinning. We were so close, we let him have it. Got him too. One of our machine gunners was hit in the tummy. He died.”

Michalic was not the only sailor aoard the Vestal to be hurled into the oil-covered waters of Pearl Harbor. Approximately 100 crew members, including the Vestal’s captain, Commander Cassin Young, were catapulted overboard by the force of he explosion that ripped the Arizona apart.With Japanese aircraft continuing their assault and their commanding officer missing, an executive officer onboard the Vestal gave the order to abandon ship. (The following account, courtesy of C. Douglas Sterner, www. homeofheroes.com.)

Men were streaming over the sides when an apparition clambered aboard. His uniform drenched with water and his entire body covered with oil, the figure presented an eerie sight standing completely exposed on the Vestal’s gangplank. “Where the hell do you men think you are going?” shouted the voice of Commander Cassin Young. Unbelievably, he not only survived the blast that hurtled him into the air but also the flaming waters of Pearl Harbor. Determinedly he swam back to save his ship. Looking down at the water,

now filled with crewmen who were Cassin Young was given the would have bled to death if we racing towards shore, he shouted, Medal of Honor for his actions at hadn’t done that.”

“Come back here! You’re not going Pearl Harbor. He was later assigned Immediately following the atto abandon ship on me yet!” Then command of the heavy cruiser USS tack on Pearl Harbor, the Vestal he strolled the litter-strewn deck, San Francisco and died at the Nacrew was ordered to guard swimheedless of enemy strafing ming pools for their fresh and bombardment. “All water supply, and within hands back to your battle a few days after tempostations and prepare to get rary repairs were comunder way,” he shouted. pleted by the crew, the Normal steam pressure ship was sent to dry dock for moving the Vestal was for complete repairs.

250 pounds. Damaged Days after the attack, pipes spewed hot steam Michalic shared some of into the air and only 50 the grim responsibilities pounds of pressure could of building coffins and be achieved. On this day, burying for the dead, it was enough. Mooring many of whose bodies lines to the doomed Arihad to be recovered from zona were cut and slowly, the harbor. miraculously, the Vestal “They were just redTo save her from sinking, the USS Vestal was deliberately beached on a coral reef.

(Photo US Naval Archive) moved into open water unwood boxes,” he says of der the fearless guidance of the coffins. “And they Commander Cassin Young. would drag lines with Two tugs were commandeered to val battle of Guadalcanal. He was hooks on them to snare the bodies help the stricken vessel continue its buried at sea. of the dead sailors (still floating in escape from the burning Arizona, “We had (another) one of our the harbor) and drag them through but water continued to pour in and officers hit in the leg. He had a the water to our ship. Once you it was apparent that the Vestal was huge hole by his ankle and was have smelled death you will never sinking. To prevent the loss, Combleeding pretty bad. There were forget it.” mander Young ran his ship aground cars parked up along the road with Michalic remembers the Christon a coral reef at Aiea. The Vestal people in them watching the whole mas of 1941, only a couple of would sail again, after some repair thing, not even realizing what they weeks later, as an insignificant work, thanks to its fearless skipwere seeing. They thought it was memory in the magnitude of the per’s sheer guts and determination. a peacetime maneuver. We got other events. “I think someone ashore and carried the officer up to went out and got a little tree of “He was the bravest man I ever one of the cars and told the driver, some kind and we all gathered knew,”Michalic said of Young.

‘We’ve got to get him to the hosaround it and sang some Christmas “The men all loved him. He was pital.’ ‘Not in my car,’ he said. So songs.” the best commander I ever served we threw his ass out and took the Michalic served on the Vestal under.” officer to the hospital. He probably for over four years and following

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from

December 2009 13

Teamsters Local 347 (618) 932-3191 the war was stationed in Cuba.

After discharge he returned to West Frankfort. He married his wife, Agnes, in the forties and they have one son, Mark. Unlike many Pearl Harbor survivors, he has never returned to the site of the attack.

He has no desire to go back. “I have no good memories there, only ghosts,” he says. “There’s nothing there that I want to see again.” He did see the movie “Pearl Harbor,” that was released several years ago.

“It wasn’t all that accurate,” he says. “I don’t know…I was in the original cast,” he adds with a smile.

“I just hope that we will be able to enjoy the freedoms of this country for many years. With the ways of the world today, I just wonder…”

(Editor’s note: It may seem unnecessary to interrupt the serenity of a work dedicated to Christmas in Southern Illinois with unpleasant memories of war, while we’re focused on the happy recollections of its residents during the best time of the year. But let us never forget the reason that we are even free to enjoy the life we do, the festivities, the religious commemoration, the

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prosperity, and even the privilege to create and distribute this publication is directly due to the sacrifice of thousands of individuals like Robert McCord and George Michalic. I only wish that we knew

George Michalic resides in West Frankfort with his wife Agnes.

the names of every serviceman like them who gave equal or even greater sacrifice and that we could tell each of their stories and personally express our gratitude. There are no words effective enough to make the story of December 7, 1941, new

December 2009

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to us again. Like the story of the first Christmas, sometimes I wish that we could hear it once more for the very first time. But at least, we can stop a moment and remember their sacrifice and that of so many more.

Robert McCord passed away this year since this article was first published in the Good Living in West Frankfort magazine. We are grateful that he lived to see his story told in print and photographs, and that the community was able to appreciate the stories of at least two of the thousands of local heroes who walk among us.

So to Robert McCord and George Michalic, for us to pause in the midst of a December issue filled with Christmas stories seems entirely appropriate. And although it is inadequate to say only, ‘Thank you,’ sometimes an understatement is all we have for an emotion that is so overwhelming. As Michalic said at the end of our interview as he reflected on that day so many years ago, “Yeah, it was a long day.”)

---G.R.T.---

December 2009 15

Puppy Shoes

By Sherri Murphy

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any years ago during the early years of our marriage, my husband and I were preparing for yet another Christmas holiday, putting our gift list together and planning to give to a very worthy cause.

My brother had told us of a church nearby that had parked a semi-truck in their parking lot and were going to fill it with furniture, gifts, toys and clothes and drive it to an impoverished community in Mexico to be distributed to the needy villagers there.

We were struggling financially, so there were no new items to purchase for them, however, we had PLENTY of clothes and toys we could donate.

I went through my closet and pulled out a large pile of clothes that I no longer wanted or needed, picked out a few other items from around the house, then went to talk to my four-year-old son about going through his toy box to give from his abundant collection of unwanted toys.

his room with two contributions: A fuzzy lamb backpack full of books and a pair of “Pound Puppy” house shoes.

He handed them to me and said, “ Here Mommy. Give these to those kids to make them happy.”

When I saw his gift choices, I thought he had misunderstood what was going to happen to his gifts.

“Now, you won’t be seeing these again, they will stay I explained to him that his toys would be going to chil- in Mexico with the kids”, I said, certain that he must have been too young to understand this concept. dren who may have never had their own toys to play with, as they were very poor. I explained to him that “I know. I don’t think they have puppy shoes and lamb many of the children had no parents or their parents had no means to buy playthings for their children. We backpacks in Mexico”, he explained. discussed how sad their life was in comparison to ours, In that moment, my entire perspective on giving to the and although we didn’t have much money, we would needy changed. Let me explain the significance of his be considered rich in their eyes. I told him how any gifts. toys that he decided to give away would be putting a smile on the face of a needy child many miles away.

Every morning when he awoke, he would fill this lamb backpack, (his favorite) with books for me to read to I left him alone in his room so he could sort through him each day. If we finished reading those books, he his toys and choose the toys he didn’t want to play with anymore. A few moments later, he emerged from would refill it. He would walk around the house wearing this backpack and would choose one book and ask 16

December 2009

me to read aloud to him. He loved the backpack, and so enjoyed the many books we would read through together.

The “Pound Puppy” shoes basically never came off his feet unless we were going out of the house. He would even sleep in them! They were just white slippers with puppy heads on them but he was so attached to these little shoes.

I looked at the two gifts he had chosen to give, and then looked at the large pile of “gifts” I had chosen to give.

Mine were clothes that were out of style, didn’t fit, or things I just didn’t care to hang onto anymore. His were the two most cherished items from his collection of treasures.

I was immediately humbled.

A four-year-old child was giving the very best he had to someone he didn’t even know because he wanted to make them happy. He was HAPPY to give his most cherished possessions if it meant making life better for someone else.

I went back to my closet, picked out my best Sunday dress, with the matching shoes and purse and laid them on the top of my pile as I asked forgiveness for my very selfish “generosity”.

I really had not given anything. I was getting rid of things I didn’t want to help make space for the new and improved items that would soon take their place.

My four-year-old child led the way to inspire my giving from a heart of love and true compassion.

In my Christmas generosity this year and every year, I say a little prayer that I will be conscious of putting a smile on someone’s face and hope to lighten their load.

May I always give with a heart that’s touched by compassion and that a little child shall lead me.

December 2009 17

18

December 2009

Where will you give your Puppy Shoes?

Helen Honey’s Much More Than Just A Resale Shop

Herrin Woman Hires The Handicapped

By Gail Rissi Thomas

J

ohnny Leach often sits just inside the front door of Helen Honey’s Resale Shop in Herrin. When he’s there, he is the official greeter of shoppers who come in to

look over the newest additions in clothing, books and other donated items for sale. Greeting is not his only job. “Sometimes I sort clothes, check them out for quality, help people in the dining room. Sometimes I’m a hall monitor, but I’m usually in my electric wheel chair,” he says with a smile.

Leach is only one of 70 participants at Our Directions, a private corporation that specializes in the training and employment of people with developmental disabilities. Verna

Johnny Leach greets customers as part of his job at Helen Honey’s.

Webb

Verna Webb is owner of Helen Honey’s, a business named after her mother.

December 2009 19

is owner of Our Directions, and Helen Anderson for whom Helen Honey’s was named is her mother.

“My mother called everyone Honey,” Webb laughed. “I thought my name was Honey when I was a kid. Everything that is donated to Helen Honey’s that is good enough to sell is put into the shop,” she explained.

“All of the clothes are inspected for tears or damage, and everything that is put up for sale is in very good condition. Every dime of the money that is raised at Helen Honey’s provides the salaries for the people who work here.”

Donations are carefully inspected by workers before it is put on the rack for sale. If it doesn’t sell it is rotated out and eventually given to charities.

A system has been set up to make it easier for the employees with varying disabilities to get the work done and keep the merchandise rotating on schedule.

A board on the wall lists the names of employees and their responsibilities for the week.

All clothes and other items are color coded with tags, so that when an item has been on display for a scheduled amount of time and hasn’t sold, clerks will know which need to be pulled out and put in the “yard sale,” where they are offered for one dollar a bag. After that sale, all remaining items are turned over to various shelters and local ministerial alliances where anyone who needs them will have access to them.

When employees are not working as clerks in the shop, there is plenty 20

Anne Marie Molina (left), of Carterville and Penny Pulley, Herrin. are just two or over 70 employees who work at the shop.

of work to be done in the “green room,” where clothes are sorted and inspected. Ron Mertz, assistant executive director is a common figure in both the shop and the green room.

“We never have enough donations,” he said about the current

December 2009

amount of stock available for sale.

“And we could never, never have too many donations, never. We need good clothing, toys, household items, decorative items, games, and books, just anything at all that we can work with that will bring income into the shop.”Hours at Helen Honey’s are Monday

Workers in the “Green Room” do a variety of jobs including sorting, inspecting and tagging clothing as well as shredding paper. Clothes may be donated during business hours or left at the east side of the building.

through Friday from 9 to 4 and Saturday 8 to 3. The shop is located at 808 East Herrin Road across from

things that you have around your home that you may no longer need or want. Perhaps you have children’s clothing or shoes that your kids have long outgrown but the thought of all the work involved in a yard sale is just too painful to think about. Perhaps you have stuffed animals or toys that might make it possible for someone in difficult times to buy their child a toy for Christmas and help to provide a job for a disabled worker at the same time. Perhaps you have some puppy shoes that once warmed a pair of little feet and until now there was just never a reason good enough to give them away. ‘Tis the season.

the Herrin Ball Park.

This Christmas think about the

December 2009 21

BeJeweled

The List

I

t begins something like this.

Early morning R train and the gentleman beside me is dead asleep. He apparently suffers from restless legs syndrome.

I am flanked on the other side by a harried mother with her screaming child. Thanking God for my earphones as I grade papers for my upcoming 8:00 class, I try to focus while gently pushing sleeping man off my shoulder, all the while trying to ignore the urge to throttle

22

by Julie Willis screaming baby to my left. Two stops later, Mama and baby exit and are replaced by what seems to be an angry young art student with a half shaved head, music blaring so loudly I am nostalgic for the aforementioned baby. Angry girl squeezes in beside me and pulls out a tattered paperback copy of The Bad Seed. Always easily distracted when doing schoolwork, I look at the girl and wonder if I should add it to “The List”.

Ahh yes, “The List”. Do you make lists? Generally, I am not a list maker. That would require a level of organization of which I am completely incapable. I have tried to make to-do lists over the years, even grocery lists, but I always forget to refer back to them. No, the list to which I am referring is commonly known as “The Bucket List.” I do not love that description, as it insinuates lists of things you want to accomplish before you die, but I do like the idea of life lists. I have been keeping such a list for as long as I can remember.

I think in some form or another we all have. It is as human as breathing.

As a young girl, I knew I wanted to live in New York City someday. I also knew I wanted to go to college. And be an actress. If an adult asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up, I would recite the above list. Of course, at the

December 2009

time, I never viewed it as “a list of thinks I want to do when I get older.” But it was a list nonetheless.

In my 20’s I wrote a more formal list: 30 things to do before I am 30. I typed it up and kept it taped under my light switch by my door, so I saw it every day as I left my room. It included things like “finish college,” “lose 30 pounds,” and of course the move to the Big Apple.

As I would accomplish different things, I would mark them off with great pride.

Now please understand that not all of these things were good ideas.

One item involved a session with a personal trainer that left me unable to move my arms for days. Literally. I had no arm movement for 6 DAYS! There was also the time I tried to sneak into the local Moose club in Indiana and try my hand at some Bingo. And my friends are kind enough to constantly remind me how long it took to recover from the rocker chick baby bangs phase of 2005.

As I got older and accomplished bigger goals, I found I had the luxury to be much more creative in my list making. This is what I believe is the greatest thing about “The List.” It forces you to be creative. Some of the “40 things to do before I am 40” include: • Buy a piece of original art • Shoot a gun • Travel to 3 continents • Meet a Baldwin Brother ª Run a 5K • Be debt free • Run for public office The beauty of it is it is not about finishing the list, but rather about thinking differently about the world

and your experience within it. As I find myself running headlong into 40, I look at my list and realize I will have accomplished very little of what I set out to do. Many of these things will roll over to my “50 things to do…” well, you get the picture.

So what will your list be? Maybe it is as simple as a list of 52 random acts of kindness in the year 2010.

That’s just one a week. I have a friend who wanted to lose 20 pounds, so he made a list of celebrities he disliked and named each pound after them. He would post online his success, like “Hooray, I lost one Paris Hilton and an Olsen twin.” Or, “Went to a wedding this week. I am one Britney and half a Miley up.” You could even start this month with a list of things for which you are thankful. ‘Tis the season, after all. The possibilities are endless. Do not wait until it becomes a “Bucket List”.

Seniors to Seniors Motivational Teachers

Sharing health and Spiritual insights

Emphasizing fun and purpose Robert J . Parks, M.D. Marilyn S. Parks

(618) 237-5724 (cell) (618) 244-4508 (fax) marilynparks23@yahoo.com

As I write this column while staring at angry girl beside me, I think of adding something new to my own list. No, I am not planning on reading The Bad Seed. I have already read it, seen the movie, and sat through a bad stage play starring a transvestite. I am also not planning on going to art school.

But I have always wondered what I would look like without hair…

Originally from West Frankfort, Julie Willis is currently living in New York, New York, where she is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Humanities at Hudson County Community College, part-time actress, and part-time waitress.

December 2009 23

Tally Ho! Foxhunting in Southern Illinois

Text and Photos by Dave O’Melia 24

December 2009

Wolf Creek Staff and Field survey the hills of southern Illinois while the hounds pick up the scent.

December 2009 25

I

t is a chilly morning in early November, the sky is clear and there is a mild breeze out of the South. We are on the east side of our hunt country, in a clearing, calling in hounds. The huntsman blows his horn, and the hounds come to us. As they come in, we circle them on our horses, keeping our whips visible. Occasionally, someone yells “Pack in!” and “To him!”.

Our horses steam with sweat after our last long run. We walk them so they cool off slowly. Some of us pull our feet out of the stirrups and stretch our legs.

The last whippers-in arrive and the huntsman, with the aid of the whippers-in and some of the hunt staff, guide the hounds toward the next adventure. As we approach the woods, the hounds, excited, give tongue and wag their tails in anticipation of the next chase.

excited song begins and off they go, with the huntsman and the first field in pursuit.

The wind burns our cheeks as we run hard across the field and into the woods. Bouncing down a steep, muddy hill, the horses bury their butts and slide down the steeper spots. It is best to let them have their heads, in places like this, as they are great at handling the rough terrain. Thorns pull at our clothing.

All of us splash through a stream at the bottom of the hill and gallop across a soggy meadow, then

The huntsman verbally encourages them and the hounds press into the woods.

They are scenting in crossing, parallel patterns.

“Yip… Yippeee… Yippeeee.” Their tremendous, loud, 26

Kerrrsplooosh! My horse, Charlie, jumps into the center of the stream and soaks the riders in front and behind. He and I rocket out the other side, and I hear my daughter ex-

cross another stream.

December 2009

Winston Throgmorton, Master of the Fox Hounds, calls the hounds back from the hunt during the Wolf Creek Hunt.

claim behind me “Oh, Charlie!”…

Charlie loves to do that.

The hounds, on a hot scent, can be heard to the southwest really giving voice now. Going south, down the center of the narrow valley as fast as our horses can run, we dodge flying mud cakes from the riders in front. “’Ware Hole!”… Beware of the hole! We gallop past White Rock, through another stream, and up the steep hill on the far side.

Hard riding here, as we are going up a steep hill where the terrain slopes down to our left. Now, it’s a run through the trees being sure to duck under any low limbs. It is critical not to run into another branch when we sit up.

The hounds are quieter now, having lost the scent. The horses pick their way through the rocks, back and forth across the creek, up the hill and out into a vast field, our next check. The huntsman uses his radio to summon the whippers-in and any members of the hunt that are no longer with us. He starts blowing notes on his horn to bring in the hounds.

Everyone is rosy cheeked and grinning. It was a good, long run that made us all feel great! We circle again, round up some hounds, and welcome the rest into the pack as they straggle in.

Foxhunters normally ride in an English saddle. They wear breeches, white shirts, a vest, a white stock tie and either a red or black wool coat. In bad weather, an oilcloth rain coat is worn. Boots are black leather or black with mahogany tops. “Colors” are awarded to members, at the discretion of the Masters, for time and service to

(above)Monsignor Ken Schaefer, of Our Lady of Mt Carmel in Herrin, gives the blessing of the hounds before the start of the hunt.

(opposite) Left to Right: JoAnn Haligowski, Ken McGrath, Winston Throgmorton, and Karen Kipp enjoy the autumnal solitude of a morning foxhunt.

December 2009 27

Karen Kipp, a Whipper-In, sits on her horse, Tonka, as she controls the perimeter of the hunt at Pine Tree Lane.

the hunt. All members with colors wear the colors of the hunt on their collars and special hunt buttons on their coats.

Helmets are required. Most hunt members carry a whip so they can

28

help contain the hounds. Whips are used as noise makers and also swung back and forth to form a barrier. They can also be used as a leash if necessary. Staff members carry radios. The huntsman uses a horn to communicate with hounds and hunters.

December 2009

The riding is challenging. Typically, hunts last 2 to 4 hours and that entire time is spent in the saddle.

A foxhunter will encounter low hanging limbs, thorns, jumps, mud, streams, and rocks. The pace will be everything from a walk to a run!

The hunt is divided into fields, or

groups, based on experience, ability and desire.

The first field follows the huntsman closely and moves quickly. At times, they have to jump fences. The second field tries to intercept the hunt and moves at a more moderate pace. In some hunts there is a slower third field. All fields are led by experienced field masters. It is the field master’s job to guide the field and take care of everything that happens, with that field, December 2009 29

during the hunt.

Foxhunting is following hounds that are scenting and following quarry. Foxhunters ride horses and in Southern Illinois the quarry is usually coyote. Coyote are fast and wily canines. In my experience, they easily evade the hounds.

At a check during one fox hunt, I was watching a coyote on a hilltop across the valley. The hounds were in the valley below in full cry, working to follow the line, or scent.

The coyote waited, sitting, until the hounds were within 200 yards, and then casually trotted away. I was stunned to witness this. I now believe some coyotes enjoy this game. Foxhunting provides hunters a chance to be with friends and

family and to get outside during the beautiful fall weather. It is very good exercise. Hunting is a great activity for youth as they must care for their horse and spend time in the saddle to develop the skills they need to be safe.

Opening Day is held around the 1st of November. On this day, all riders braid their horse’s manes and tails and polish their leather and themselves. This is the start of the official fox hunting season.

The day starts with a drink called a stirrup cup. This is followed by the blessing of the hounds and the riders. Medals are also blessed and passed out to the mounted members. Then the hunters and hounds go on a foxhunt. When the hunt is over, everyone gathers for breakfast.

Opening Day is one of the high points of the year.

Get outside. Take a walk in the country and listen… If you are very lucky, you will hear the huntsman’s horn, the voice of the hounds and maybe, in the distance, a faint “Tally-Hoooooo!”.

Ken McGrath with an armload of tack and a happy smile after a long hunt. His dog, Maggie, is happy too.

30

December 2009

There are three fox hunts in Southern Illinois: • Wolf Creek Hunt • Shawnee Hounds • River to River Hunt Contact the Masters of Fox Hounds Association for more information at http:// www.mfha.com/home. aspx

Glossary:

Capping fee - Fee paid by non-members to ride with the field.

Colors - Distinctive colors of coat and buttons each hunt club adopts as their livery.

Usually hunt staff and male members wear scarlet coats.

Draw - Put hounds into a

covert.

Huntsman – Controls and Hunts the hounds.

Lark - Jump unnecessarily and irresponsibly.

Line - The trail or scent of the quarry.

Master – The Master is in charge of the entire hunt.

Coop – A jump over a fence.

Stern - Tail of a hound.

Tally Ho! – This is yelled upon viewing the quarry.

View - To see or sight the

quarry.

Whippers – In – Also called “Whips”, these members ride to the left and right of the hunt and control the perimeter.

Dave O’Melia is a full time professional photographer.

He offers portraiture, sports, weddings and wildlife photography and may be reached at regentrider@gmail.com. You will find examples of fine photography at his web address: http://djome.zenfolio. com. Also available are equine and pet photography. His interests include, polo, fox hunting and kayaking.

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December 2009 31

Talking Turkey M aster Chef Lasse Sorenson of Tom’s Place gives us his secrets for cooking the perfect

32

bird for the Holiday Season

December 2009

“Keep it simple. It isn’t a hard job at all,” he said, “In fact, it’s very, very easy, so don’t make it hard.”

--Master Chef Lasse Sorenson--

By Gail Rissi Thomas

said. “It won't fit in my pot.”

y mom used to tell a story that I think of every time I am cooking one of her special recipes.

“A man was chatting with his wife one day as the was preparing to cook their traditional Christmas Eve ham. He became curious as he watched her cut both ends off the ham before placing it in the baking pan. He'd seen her do that many times, but for some reason it suddenly caused him to wonder what the reason for that was.

I have to admit that even though I've known that story for years, I still wonder how many times I do things like my mother did just to accommodate my grandma's pot, or oven, or maybe my grandfather's preferences. Take the Thanksgiving turkey for instance. I remember many holidays that were spent at my grandmother's extended dining room table, and she of course cooked the beautiful brown bird that was placed on the table for her family to enjoy. And as the years passed, that feature of the menu became my mother's job.

Regardless who contributed pies, casseroles, appetizers and other additions to the meal, the turkey was up to her. And then almost by surprise, one holiday the job of cooking that Turkey belonged to me!

YIKES! How did that happen? I suddenly understood how Prissy felt in Gone with the Wind when it was time for Melanie's baby to be born. “I don't know nuthin bout cookin' turkeys!”

M

“Why do you always cut both ends off the ham?” he asked her.

“I don't know,” she replied, “My mother always does that.”

“Well why don't you ask her why. he suggested. The next day while talking with her mother on the phone, the wife asked, “Mom, when you bake a ham, why do you always cut both ends off before you cook it?”

“Well, your grandma always did that,” she answered. The daughter didn't push the subject, but a few days later, her mother thought of it again and asked her own mother, “Mama, when you cook a ham, why do you always cut both ends off before you cook it?

Her mother looked at her with surprise that she didn't know the answer to such a simple question. “Well, I have to,” she

But cook one I must, and cook it I did.

I've cooked many since then, and they are ok. I wouldn't say they ever tasted like my mom's, but I'm smart enough to know they never will, and I wouldn't think so if they did. But this year, I decided to get serious about the holiday turkey and get some lessons on making something delicious if not traditional.

Lasse Sorenson, is chef at Tom's Place in Desoto, Southern Illinois' five star restaurant, owned and managed by him and

his wife, MaryJane. A native of Denmark, the European master chef is known for his mouth watering entrees and dramatic presentations. At the same time, he is such a gentleman, so unassuming and unintimidating, that there didn't seem to be a better choice as an authority who could teach us how to cook a turkey.

Much to our surprise, the first advice that Lasse had to offer us was “Keep it simple.” “It isn't a hard job at all,” he said, “In fact, it's very, very easy, so don't make it hard.” “Really.” I mused. It had never seemed that easy to me, but then the most difficult part was wringing my hands and fretting about whether or not it was done.,l and on time.

“Let me tell you about my first American Thanksgiving,” Sorenson continued. “I was going to cook a turkey for MaryJane and her family. I thought, with all my education and experience with cooking, I can't just cook a turkey. I have to do something special with it. So I completely deboned the turkey. I cooked it ahead of time. I stuffed it all with vegetables, and when I brought it to the table and sliced it, it had a perfect flower of aasperagus in the center of each slice. You should have seen the long faces at the table. I thought it was probably the best thing I had ever cooked in my life. The family was like, 'Where is our Thanksgiving Turkey?' That's all they wanted was a turkey. I didn't realize it was such a traditional big deal. So from then on, I just cook a turkey.”

December 2009 33

2 Sorenson began at the beginning, and even his most elementary instruction covered steps I had never given much thought to. “Choose a turkey that is not too big for your pan and not too big for your oven,” he told us. “If you have a big crowd, you might be better off to try to cook two smaller turkeys that one very large one. The turkey being too close to the inside of the oven will only cause the skin to brown too soon before the meat is done.”

"Rack or no rack?” I asked “Oh no, no rack, “ he answered. “I will make my own rack out of vegetables.” As he talked, he proceeded to cut in half three very large onions, two cloves of garlic, three very large carrots and laid them out in the bottom of the pan. I of course, would have spent a miserable amount of time cleaning the cloves of garlic, I was amused and liberated to see that he just wacked them in half and threw them in the pan skin and all. He than added a little thyme, white peppercorns and a few bay leaves to his “rack” “The spine of the turkey is going to lay on this,” he explained. “It really doesn't make sense to let it lay on metal wires.”

1. Don’t chop veggies too small when making your rack.

2. Lay veggies evenly. Make sure pan is big enough for your bird with no overhang.

3. Add wine

Sorenson took a bottle of red wine and poured a lot of it over the vegetable rack he had prepared. “Any wine will do,” he was quick to tell us. “Cheap wine is fine, red or just use white if that's what you have. And then the chicken stock,” he added, as he poured about a quart or more of chicken stock over the wine. Sorenson made his own chicken stock, but assured is that one made from boullion or just canned would be fine.

and chicken stock covering vetggies. Add neck bone and tail for flavor.

Time for the turkey. He carefully placed the bird on the bountiful bed of vegetables and liquid, rubbed it with a little vegetable oil, generously salted and peppered it, and added a little paprika to the breast, “Just for color,” he explained. “I don't tie the legs or anything else, “ he said. If want to stuff it with something, I don't stuff it until the meat is cooked. And you can put any kind of vegetables in the bottom of the pan that you want. You can even put in apples or prunes. I have put dried prunes in with the vegetables. Then when the bird is done, stuff it with the prunes that have stewed in the wine and the turkey drippings. They are delicious.”

4. Rub bird

Being the well organized chef that he is, Sorenson had already prepared another turkey earlier in the day and cooked it for us to see the finished product.. “As he slid the beautifully browned bird out of the oven, he set it aside and covered it with foil. “The last thing you want to do is cut the turkey right after it comes out of the oven,” he explained. “That drains all the juice. Cover it and let it set for 20 to 30 minutes; then all that heat is letting the juice seep right back into the meat.' He touched the skin of the breast with his finger and clear juice poured out of the meat. “Yes,” he said, pleased with what he saw. “That bird is done.”

We were surprised to learn that the finished 13 pound turkey had only been in the oven for an hour and fifteen minutes at a temperature of about 350 degrees. The bird was done, but our 34

December 2009

with vegetable oil.

5. Season

with salt and pepper.

Sprinkle with paprika for color.

6. Do not stuff

bird. Place in cener of oven and bake at 350 degrees.

7. Use a food

thermometer, Bird is done when internal temperature reaches 165 °F

8. For qual-

ity taste, wrap cooked turkey in foil and let rest 20 minutes.

9. Strain drippings into a sauce pan for gravy.

lesson in cooking the perfect turkey was not. While the bird rested on a baking sheet, Sorenson proceeded to remove the vegetables from the pan and strain the wine and stock (which now included ample turkey drippings) into a pot. We had the chance to confirm that the vegetables that had supported the turkey were now delicious in themselves, while we watched him sift about an eighth inch of flour over the turkey stock.

“We're going to make a roux,” Sorenson explained. “You make a roux out of flour and butter, but why use butter when we have this turkey fat with all the flavor of the meat in it.

Watch,” he continued. “the flour will bond with the fat and drag it down to the bottom of the pot.”

We watched with interest while the flour slowly began to disappear. “Don't stir it,” he said. “Wait until the flour is completely submerged. “When the last tiny bit was no longer visible, we followed Chef to the stove, where he whisked the liquid over the heat for a few minutes, creating one of the easiest, smoothest and most delicious gravies I had ever tasted. “See?” he said, “Simple. You don't need to add milk, nothing, maybe a little salt. So simple.”

I have a pretty good idea what we will be serving on our table this Christmas Day. And I have a very good idea exactly how to do it.

10. Sift a layer

of flour over drippings and let set for 10 minutes to absorb fat.

11. Stir flour

and drippings over low heat.

Do not add butter or milk.

12. Season

to taste.Chef Lasse suggests adding a bit of lingonberry sauce.

December 2009 35

What Can You Do?

By Genelle Rissi Bedokis

Everyone has something Of which he's very proud.

It might be eyes that sparkle bright Or hair soft as a cloud.

It could be freckles on his nose Or a dimple on his chin.

Maybe ears that stick way out Or a tongue that's never in.

Willie the waiter had a head that was flat.

But believe it or not, he was quite proud of that.

When business was booming, he didn't care, instead, He carried a tray in each hand and one on his head.

Frieda was short and stout, if you wish Because she would always eat any dish That was set before her; All food was fine.

She was proud of her size fifty waistline.

I once knew a man who was seven foot ten Wherever he went, he had to bend to get in.

But he was wise to be proud of his size, Because he was taller than all other guys.

Sally, a baby, was still rather small.

She was so proud because she could crawl.

She didn't care that she couldn't walk.

At least she never told me so--but then she couldn't talk.

36

December 2009

I met this guy in New York named Gus. His job was to drive a big yellow bus.

He didn't know the back from the front; Gus was no dunce.

He was proud he could go two ways at once.

Cows laid eggs for old farmer Lou. It's hard to believe, but his chickens could moo.

To everyone else it was really confusing.

But Lou was so proud: he found it amusing.

Did you ever think of what you can do?

Can you crawl like Sally or raise chickens that moo?

Or is your head flat, like Willie's was flat?

Maybe you’re stout and quite proud of that.

Or maybe like no one else that you know You have on each foot one extra toe.

Perhaps you can cook like no one else can, Without any stove, without any pan.

Can you spell words backward without even thinking?

Or swim in the tub without ever sinking?

You can do a lot of things if you tried.

But whatever you do, do it with pride.

December 2009 37

Christmas Cookies

Cutout sugar cookies are the “King”of the Christmas Cookies. Our friends at Larry’s House of Cakes in Marion share a few tips to make sure yours are the best Santa eats on Christmas Eve

By Gail Rissi Thomas

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December 2009

Y

ou just can't publish a holiday magazine without a story about Christmas cookies. Well you could, I suppose, but people would rifle through the pages looking for the cookie recipes, and if they didn't find at least a few, they would be disappointed. When it comes to Christmas cookies, they don't even have to be new ones or original ones to make even the most stereotypical man's man start thinking about baking up a batch or two of some kind of cookie to eat, to share or just to have sitting around.

Running down the types of the favorite holiday sweet treats, there are the bar cookies. All 443,367 varieties of them are acceptable, although each one may only differ in the number of chocolate chips you sprinkle over the top and whether you cut them into 20 or 24 pieces. There are the newest “This barely passes for a cookie”, cookie. An example is the pretzel with a chocolate kiss on top and a red or green M&M pressed into the melted chocolate when they come out of the oven. And if I add here that you only bake them for three minutes in a 250-degree oven, you've got the whole recipe. Forgot you needed cookies for work or school? For heaven‘s sake, if you can get someone to unwrap the kisses without eating all of them, you can bake up a couple of dozen while you're putting on your shoes and looking for your car keys.

Then of course, if you're baking for family and friends, there's the never fail, always favorite, much loved queen of Christmas cookies, the Pecan Sandies, Mexican Wedding Ball, little white things

or whatever you want to call them.

Everyone grabs for the butter pecan balls dusted in powdered sugar.

Even though you can't possibly get away with sneaking one without getting caught due to the tell tale white dust all over the front of you, few cookie eaters will fail to take the risk.

If Pecan Sandies are the queen of Christmas Cookies, there is no question that the cut out decorated sugar cookie is the king. Put a plate of them out on the buffet and everyone is a kid again. This seems to be the case in my family. Regardless of how homely they are, and I've made some pretty homely ones in my time, everyone is gobbling them up all the time they're dancing them around in the air and cracking jokes about them on the way to their mouths.

So what do I do wrong? Aside from the fact that I'm not artistic,. We did a little research for me and all you wannabe cookie decorators out there, and aside from a few things I already learned from my own trials, we went to the top to get tips from people who really know what they're doing.

Neil, Dale and David Clayton, owners of Larry's House of Cakes make and sell over 100-dozen sugar cookies on any weekend of the Christmas Season.

That figure only represents their Marion store, because their Carbondale store at Murdale Shopping Center has only been open about a month and they have no idea yet what this Christmas will bring.

The Clayton brothers bought the bakery from their father, THE Larry of “Larry’s House of Cakes”

in 2007. At that time, they discontinued the rolled out, cutout cookies that Larry was famous for, and went to machine cut circles, decorated for the respective holiday.

“We use the same dough recipe and we still make our own icing,” Dale explained. “If we have a big specialty order for a wedding or something, Larry will come in and help us out, but what we do now is the round iced cookie. It tastes pretty much the same, not as flat because the air hasn't been rolled out of it, but it's the same thing.”

There are probably enough cookbooks dedicated solely to cutout cookies to fill a cut out cookie cookbook bookstore and about a million recipes on the Internet, most of which are the same. I have found in the past year or two that the easiest cookie dough recipe is the one on the package of sugar cookie mix that you can buy now at any grocery store. Just be sure that if you're rolling out the cookies made from the package mix that you notice the recipe for rolled cookies is somewhat different from the main recipe. The cutout recipe is at the bottom and kind of easy to miss, making you mess up a batch that won't roll out and making you think, “Geez, I can't even do this.”

Back to the business at hand. Once you get the hang of whatever cookie dough you want to use, the real trick in making cookies that no one will laugh at is in the icing.

As Dale Clayton demonstrated the icing of cookies, it was helpful to see what the perfect consistency should be. “The thinner the icing is, the quicker it will dry,” Clayton explained. He worked with the ready cut and baked circles, December 2009 39

Dale Clayton of Larry’s House of Cakes shares the secret of icing sugar cookies.

Carefully lay cookies in a container of icing.

Be sure the icing is thin enough that excess icing can be brushed off.

Using a pastry brush (not a paint brush), Clayton brushes off excess icing. “I’m, not brushing it on, but brushing it off.”

Place cookies on wire rack and decorate. If piping decorations, let icing set before applying. Clayton uses pre-made cookie toppers to decorate his cookies.

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carefully laying each one on the surface of a container of colored icing. That was where the importance of the thickness showed. The icing was thick enough that the cookies did not become immersed, but thin enough that as he picked up each cookie, the excess icing rolled off. He used a pastry brush to help it along. This is where I believe he offered the best tip for success. “You can see that I'm not really brushing the icing on, but I'm brushing it off. It needs to be thin enough to slide off the cookie, but leave a smooth layer on the top.

This is a bakery brush,” he explained. “A paint brush won't work very well. You still have to be pretty careful because once in a while a bristle or two will come out and that isn't very appetizing., but otherwise it works fine, and the cookies will dry within about an hour or so. You don't want to try to add beads, or sprinkles or pipe any icing on them immediately. The colors might run or the top layer of decoration might sink into the wet icing. This thickness of icing works well for colors,” he told us. “If you want to frost the cookies in a white background, you have to make it a little thicker than this or you will be able to see through it.”

It looked pretty easy, actually. At least the cookies that we watched Clayton dip and brush all turned out perfectly. Larry's now tops each cookie with a festive sugar decoration. They are completely edible and range from Christmas trees, Santa faces, turkeys for Thanksgiving, and hearts for Valentines Day. Actually in spite of his expertise, cookie icing is not his main responsibility. Larry's House of Cakes employs about 35 people at the two locations. “We have 10 decora-

December 2009

tors and five or six bakers, a lot of counter workers, kitchen help and clean up people,” he said.

Larry's is truly a family operation.

In addition to the three brothers who now own the bakery, two of their sisters, Beth and Lori also are employed there. About eight employees worked in the kitchen baking and decorating. as we watched. It was hard not to notice the shining clean floor and counters and the calm and efficient atmosphere. I thought about what my kitchen looks like after it has been subjected to the creation of about a dozen cut out cookie characters. I think we need to come back some day for a little advice in organization.

Many cookbooks, magazine articles and websites talk about what a wonderful activity it is to bake and decorate cookies with children.

They are absolutely right. Kids love doing it. Just keep two words in mind. “Stress and Mess” In rolling out cookie dough, whatever recipe you use: Consider starting out mixing the dough in small batches and then rolling out the mounds of dough to cut only a few at a time. Depending how much room you have to work on your kitchen counter or table, you may not be able to roll a large amount of dough to achieve the thickness you want. There's also less waste if things don't turn out as you planned.

Invest in a marble rolling pin. I recommend it for pie crusts, cookies, or anything similar. It is always cold and the weight of it gives you better results with less effort.

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It never hurts to chill dough before rolling, not overnite or anything, just an hour or so. It really is worth it, making the dough easier to manage and the cookies better able to hold their shape in the oven. Some people advise freezing the cutouts for a short time before baking for that reason. It's not good when Santa's face looks like he was in a fight the night before and the angels look pregnant.

Icing Recipe

Perfect Icing Recipe for cookies(:) If this results in the perfect consistency, we're in business. (Not really Dale. Just a figure of speech.)

Combine all ingredients and mix well.

Add food coloring. Will cover approximately 5 dozen cookies

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December 2009

3 cups sifted confectioner’s sugar ¼ cup of milk ½ teaspoon vanilla Dash of salt

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December 2009

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Pick Up Your Copy of

at the Following Locations: BFJ Interiors ....................................... pg. 45 Cache Creek Animal Resuce ................... pg. 21 Cache River Winery ............................. pg. 15 Calico Country .............................. Back Cover Coleman-Rhoads Furniture ..................pg. 45 Cooks Portable Warehouse ..................pg. 44 Corner Gourmet ..................................pg. 43 Decorating Den ................................... pg. 45 Dr. Dale Brock, Optometrist ................... pg. 15 Dr. Stephen Ponton Foot Clinic........... pg. 47 Dr. Seb Pagano, DMD ............................. pg. 41 East Main Market ................................ .... pg. 15 Etcetera ................................................. pg. 31 Gandy’s Auto Body ............................... pg. 45 IBEW................................................pg.14 Image Graphics .................................... pg. 17 JenRuss Glass Design............................. pg. 47 Kreative Design Showcase ...................... pg. 29 Larry’s House of Cakes ...................... pg. 43 Leigh Bedokis Photography..................... pg. 19 Martin’s Catering .................................. pg. 47 McDonald’s ........................................... pg. 23 Mike Riva, Attorney .............................. pg. 31 My Favorite Toys ...............................pg. 2 Neighborhood Co-Op ............................ pg. 35 Paul Lawrence Insurance...................... pg. 46 PDO Design Group................................ pg. 23 Prairie Living at Chautauqua................. pg. 43 Rend Lake Seamless Guttering ............ pg. 46 Smart Body Rx ..................................pg. 7 Southern Illinois Bank ............................. pg. 31 Seniors to Seniors ..................................... pg. 2 3 Shawnee Trading ..................................... pg. 47 Shelter Insurance .................................... pg. 35 Southern Illinois Surgical Appliance ...... pg. 47 Stotlar Herrin Lumber ......................... pg. 42 Tange at HQ.......................................... pg. 17 Teamsters ............................................... pg. 14 The Glass Haunt .... .................................. pg. 41 Tom’s Place ............................................. pg. 29 Week’s Chevrolet .................................pg. 14 Wells Big & Tall Menswear ..................... pg. 41 West Frankfort Aquatics Center ............ pg. 43 Your Jeweler .......................................... pg. 31

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December 2009

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