The land and life we love
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Features
32
40
56
America the Beautiful
Passage to Beauty
Life in Focus
Fall’s glorious color displays are a feast for the eyes in this collection of landscape photos.
Join photographer David Jensen as he explores the Columbia River Gorge.
Readers open their photo albums to us and share their favorite moments of the season.
St. Peter’s Dome stands like a sentinel looking over the Columbia River Gorge. PHOTO BY DAVID JENSEN
Contents 24
Out & About 12 Fresh Air
Experience the joys of country life in this reader roundup.
16 Road Trip
Amish life and covered bridges attract visitors to Centreville.
18 The Country Almanac
Fall is in the air. Make the most of it with the hints in this calendar.
The Good Life 22 Backyard Blessing 24 View From Our Place
Sarah Lea Bowman’s dreams come true on her Colorado horse ranch.
28 What’s Cooking?
The aromas of fall will fill your kitchen thanks to these recipes.
Heart & Soul 48 People
Neighbors in Idaho celebrate the harvest with straw bale art.
52 Generations
The flower girls at Karie Chatham’s country wedding steal the show.
54 Animal Tales
Lindy Robbins gave a lost hen a place to roost.
62 Gatherings
Sally Parker-Henderson recalls an old-fashioned Thanksgiving dinner.
64
64 Good Neighbors
A small town rushes to help when Patti Clark’s mom becomes ill.
66 Humor
Have a laugh at funny stories, jokes and photos from our readers.
In Every Issue 6 8 72 72 74
From the Editor Everyone Has a Story Hidden Needle Contest Submission Guidelines Reflections
FRONT Multnomah Falls, Oregon PHOTO BY FREEBILLY/SHUTTERSTOCK
28
BACK Mount Lafayette, New Hampshire PHOTO BY PAUL REZENDES
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FROM THE EDITOR
Piles of Fun I LOVE RAKING LEAVES. Being outside in the fresh fall air and making piles for my kids to jump in is pure bliss. Every year I try to build the ultimate, monster sized mound, but my kids can’t seem to wait for me to finish. They dive in as soon as the leaves are knee high. I don’t mind. Their joy makes the work easy. This issue is a little like those piles full of color and fun. The latter starts on page 10 with a story from field editor Mandi Wood, who writes about racing her brother to the top of Georgia’s highest peak. It’s a sweet memory that hopefully inspires you to head outside and feel the leaves crunching under your feet. For a more whimsical look at the season, turn to page 50, where Darla Hoff’s straw bale art leads you to farm fields full of cartoon characters. Foliage is everywhere in this issue. Gorgeous autumn scenery starts with the cover and continues on page 32 in America the Beautiful, which features amazing landscape photos from some of America’s best photographers. On page 40, David Jensen takes you on a journey through the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge, where fall transforms the mighty cliffs into a kaleidoscope of color. We put together this issue hoping to bring you the best of fall the flavors, the foliage, the holidays and the pumpkins. Here’s your leaf pile. Dive in!
Marija Andric, Editor marija@country magazine.com
SOCIALIZE WITH US! Want to meet fellow readers who love the country, too? At facebook.com/countrymagazine follow our page and continue the conversation we’ve started here. You’ll see posts from other readers sharing the beauty of the country plus features like:
If Only They Could Talk What do you think Meeny, Miny and Moe would say if they could talk? Thank you, Tawny Nelson, for sharing this funny photo!
“It’s a hog’s life, but somebody has to do it.” Submitted on Facebook by Erin York
Put Country on your Christmas List! Give the gift of Country this holiday season! Order a Country gift subscription for only $10. Go online and visit country-magazine. com/givetoday and place your order. Pay online and you'll receive a second gift subscription for free. That’s two gifts for the price of one! 6 COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017
Reader Daniel Andrade of Hitchcock, Texas, posted this shot he took in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. He wrote: “The best hike in Texas is coincidentally the tallest peak in Texas. These views will take your breath away.”
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Marshall and Laura share the outdoors with baby Leah.
Everyone has a story... what’s yours? Country magazine is written by readers for readers, and it’s easy to share your own stories and photos with us! Simply visit country-magazine.com and click Share Your Story, then fill in the required fields. Give us your take on the topics below, and you might get published in a future issue.
SPRING FORWARD
GOOD NEIGHBORS
MAKE US LAUGH
HOLIDAY FUN
The season of renewal is welcome across the country, with colorful blooms, nesting birds, baby animals and lush greenery. Show us why you love spring with stories and photos of seasonal activities such as planting, collecting Easter eggs and looking for wildflowers.
Having someone you can always count on is a blessing. Has a special neighbor, friend or co-worker made a difference in your life? Give your good Samaritan the recognition they deserve by sending us photos and telling a story about them.
Country life produces its fair share of sidesplitting moments. Here at Country and Country Extra, we love nothing more than a good laugh. Share your silliest stories and jokes, and send us pictures of the amusing antics and quirky sights you’ve seen across America.
The most wonderful time of the year is almost here, and we want to know how your family embraces the special traditions, customs, festivities and fun of Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and more. Pass along your memories through photos and stories.
What’s your story? Tell us! TM
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Out & About
Live every moment
AUTUMN’S PEAK Leaf peepers who hike to the summit of Brasstown Bald take in a spectacular view of Mother Nature’s fall show.
Race You to the Top! Fall brings to mind memories I made with my parents and little brother at Brasstown Bald, the highest peak in Georgia. Wrapped in warm jackets, we gathered around a table and heartily sipped hot chocolate and ate warm goodies from our picnic basket. Daddy told me that the concrete tower atop the mountain was actually a castle where a princess lived. My eyes grew in hopeful anticipation. My brother and I raced up the twisty trail, just over a mile long, to see who would reach the top first. Our hiking boots pounded the pavement and the earth-packed trail. The clear, cold air plunged deeply into our lungs. At the top we collapsed on the ground and tried to catch our breath. Mama and Daddy met us, and we climbed the steep stairs to the top of the world. On clear days, we had a perfect 360degree view of Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina. My happy family, the striking view and this memory are forever etched into my childhood heart. MANDI WOOD Field Editor
COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM
11
FRESH AIR
The Name Game
LITTLE EXPLORER Bailey plays in a “cotton ball” patch while on a journey through the country.
SPIDER’S WEB all in the Pacific Northwest is a series of climatic ups and downs. Abrupt changes in temperatures inspire trees and critters to sudden activity, only to find a week of Indian summer is just around the corner. Then it all happens again. At Pattison Lake in Lacey, Washington, the water adds chills and humidity to the air and makes a spectacle for the eye. Eerie fogs, whispering pines and sunrises testify to the joy of God’s creation. This year He added spider webs and inspired a poem.
F
The itsy bitsy spider Ignored the water spout, Picked out a fence And laid her webs about.
Down came the cold And froze up all her string. So the itsy bitsy spider Went south until the spring. RICK TAYLOR Lacey, Washington
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COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017
BAILEY, MY 3-YEAR-OLD granddaughter, loves to be outside. Everything she sees is a new adventure. She is enjoying fall, taking walks in the park and around her neighborhood. I love exploring with Bailey, seeing how excited she is to learn about the good earth as she picks up a pretty rock or spots a bird nest. As we walk along, I use an association technique to teach her the names of things. When Bailey stops to pick up a fallen red or yellow leaf, I tell her it's fall because the leaves have fallen. Now, when she sees a leaf on the ground, she says it is fall. When she sees a grasshopper on the grass, I tell her that grasshoppers are so named because they are usually found on the grass and they are always hopping. Now, she explains how almost everything she sees or touches got its name, and her vocabulary is growing. Recently, while driving home with Bailey and her mom from a visit to the pumpkin patch, we took the scenic route through countryside surrounded by cotton fields. As we approached the fields of white cotton, Bailey shouted, “Look, Mimi, see the cotton ball patch?” She has mastered seeing and making connections. BARB B. MCMINN Jasper, Alabama
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I
My Morning Ride with Bolt
wake up to ringing. Usually the alarm makes me cringe, but not today. It’s Saturday and my time to ride. Before walking out the door, I grab a jacket. It’s early October and I know I’ll need it. As I walk to the barn, leaves of all colors crunch underneath my feet. It’s 6 by the time Bolt, my Appaloosa, and I get going. When we come upon a familiar field, I lead Bolt into a full gallop. The trees around us blur as Bolt and I fly through the field. The reds, yellows and greens of fall mix together, and it’s a marvelous sight. I’ve never felt so free. Back home, I take off Bolt’s tack and brush him down. I give him a carrot—his favorite treat—and put
him back into his stall, making sure his water is fresh. I smile, ready for the day to come. Then I notice my mom’s car in my driveway. She comes every Saturday to spend the morning with me. When I walk into the house, I smell a warm draft of fall scents. “There you are, honey. I made you a pumpkin pie latte. I know you need it. It’s chilly out there this morning,” Mom says. I take a sip, walk over to the chair by the crackling fire and visit with her, cherishing the memory of when I was a child and it was cocoa my mom gave me. BRITTANY EDWARDS Princeton, West Virginia
“I love everything about fall—from the way the crisp morning air kisses your nose to the feel of the warm fire heating your toes, there’s a certain anticipation in the air that lets you know Thanksgiving is right around the corner.” - DEBORAH MOE Culver, Minnesota GREAT PUMPKINS! The annual trip to the pumpkin patch with our nephew’s family was extra special this year. Little Evy got to bring along her new baby brother, Liam. KAREN CHRISTMAN Amston, Connecticut
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The Langley Covered Bridge and an Amish buggy illustrate life’s simple pleasures.
ROAD TRIP
Centreville, Michigan Plan a fall getaway to Amish country. MY HOMETOWN of Centreville is a delightful village in rural southwest Michigan with around 1,400 residents. While visiting the area, you will most likely spot a horse and buggy or two, as there is a sizable Amish population. A popular spot with locals is Yoder’s Country Market. It’s a wonderful place to shop and eat lots and lots of tasty homemade goodies! If you really want to know how the Amish shop, then you will want to go to Millers Discount Store just east of Centreville. It’s a little out of the way, but definitely worth the trip. Note that it is closed on Sundays. The store is lit with gas lanterns, and most grocery items can be purchased in bulk. Thomas W. Langley is credited as Centreville’s founder. The name Langley might sound familiar because of the Langley Covered Bridge. It’s three miles north of Centreville and, at 282 feet, is the longest remaining wooden covered bridge in Michigan . It looks especially picturesque when framed by fall foliage.
Centreville is the seat of St. Joseph County. Be sure to take note of the Romanesque Revival courthouse that was designed by architect Sydney J. Osgood in 1899. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. One of my favorite local events is the St. Joseph County Grange Fair. It’s always scheduled during the third week in September, so not only will you be able to have all the fun and excitement of a fair’s attractions, but you will also get to enjoy a touch of the crisp autumn air. One of the largest fairs in the state of Michigan, around 150,000 people attend each year. The fairgrounds hosts other events through the year, such as the Antique and Vintage Flea Market, the State Line Livestock Show and the Walking Horse Association of Michigan Show. I hope you get the chance to visit and experience all of the things I love about my charming hometown. JULIA SAILOR Three Rivers, Michigan
Did you know? The Langley Covered Bridge was constructed in 1887 by builder Pierce Bodmer. When the Sturgis dam was built downstream in 1910, the bridge had to be raised eight feet. 16
COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017
Small-Town Celebrations There’s plenty to see and do year-round in Centreville, Michigan. Look into these fun events before you plan your trip. COVERED BRIDGE DAYS wmta.org ST. JOSEPH COUNTY GRANGE FAIR centrevillefair.com WALKING HORSE ASSOCIATION OF MICHIGAN SHOW walkinghorsemi .wordpress.com
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The Country Almanac
Oct./Nov. 2017 Days turn crisp, nights are cool and the harvest is in. Time to celebrate our blessings.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1 Meander through the world’s largest corn maze at Richardson Farm in Spring Grove, Illinois. richardsonadventurefarm.com
31st
October 5 This full moon is named the Hunter’s Moon. For Native Americans, it signaled the start of the winter hunt.
HALLOWEEN November 11
“I love finding red, orange and yellow leaves on the ground. The scarecrows seem to come alive with the cool air and the arrival of fall.”
Veterans Day
Dana Foreman Old Fort, North Carolina
11/23
Thanksgiving
Americans ate 400 million pounds of cranberries last year, so say thanks by posting a photo of your favorite farmer. facebook.com/ countrymagazine
Here are three things to do with your pumpkin after a trip to the patch. 1. Decorate it with paint—the pumpkin will last longer.
October 15 Around now, bears are doing the “fall shuffle,” roaming the forest in search of food before heading into their dens for the winter. “October is my favorite month, and with autumn nicely sandwiched between summer and winter, its days are pleasantly warm and bright—a feast for weary eyes.” Wilma J. Williams Los Angeles, California 18
COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017
2. Turn it into a bird feeder. Go to birdsandblooms.com/ pumpkin for instructions. 3. Use fresh puree to make a sweet treat like Overnight Pumpkin French Toast. Turn to page 28 for the recipe. SEND US SEASONAL TIPS AND TIDBITS FOR OUR WINTER AND SPRING ALMANACS. SUBMISSION GUIDELINES ON PAGE 72.
TRACTOR: SODESIGNBY/ SHUTTERSTOCK; PUMPKIN: PAND P STUDIO/SHUTTERSTOCK
Pumpkin 101
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“I had to get my son to program it.” Your Jitterbug Flip setup process is simple. We’ll even program it with your favorite numbers. “What if I don’t remember a number?” Friendly, helpful Personal Operators are available 24 hours a day and will even greet you by name when you call. “I’d like a cell phone to use in an emergency.” Now you can turn your phone into a personal safety device with 5Star® Service. In any uncertain or unsafe situation, simply press the 5Star button to speak immediately with a highly-trained Urgent Response Agent who will confirm your location, evaluate your situation and get you the help you need, 24/7. “My cell phone company wants to lock me in a two-year contract!” Not with the Jitterbug Flip. There are no contracts to sign and no cancellation fees.
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“My phone’s battery only lasts a short time.” Unlike most cell phones that need to be recharged every day, the Jitterbug Flip was designed with a long-lasting battery, so you won’t have to worry about running out of power.
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Available in Red and Graphite.
“Many phones have features that are rarely needed and hard to use!” The Jitterbug Flip contains easy-to-use features that are meaningful to you. A built-in camera makes it easy and fun for you to capture and share your favorite memories. And a flashlight with a built-in magnifier helps you see in dimly lit areas.The Jitterbug Flip has all the features you need. Enough talk. Isn’t it time you found out more about the cell phone that’s changing all the rules? Call now! Jitterbug product experts are standing by.
Call toll-free to get your
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1-888-768-1731 www.JitterbugDirect.com 47669
We proudly accept the following credit cards:
IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION: Jitterbug is owned by GreatCall, Inc.Your invoices will come from GreatCall. 1Monthly fees do not include government taxes or assessment surcharges and are subject to change. Plans and services may require purchase of a Jitterbug Flip and a one-time setup fee of $35. Coverage is not available everywhere. 5Star or 9-1-1 calls can only be made when cellular service is available. 5Star Service will be able to track an approximate location when your device is turned on, but we cannot guarantee an exact location. 2We will refund the full price of the Jitterbug phone and the activation fee (or setup fee) if it is returned within 30 days of purchase in like-new condition.We will also refund your first monthly service charge if you have less than 30 minutes of usage. If you have more than 30 minutes of usage, a per minute charge of 35 cents will be deducted from your refund for each minute over 30 minutes. You will be charged a $10 restocking fee. The shipping charges are not refundable.There are no additional fees to call GreatCall’s U.S.-based customer service. However, for calls to a Personal Operator in which a service is completed, you will be charged 99 cents per call, and minutes will be deducted from your monthly rate plan balance equal to the length of the call and any call connected by the Personal Operator. Jitterbug, GreatCall and 5Star are registered trademarks of GreatCall, Inc. Copyright ©2017 GreatCall, Inc. ©2017 firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.
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The Good Life
Savor the simple pleasures
“This was Sadie Mae’s first experience with pumpkins! She quickly picked one out to be her jack-o’-lantern.” TAMI GINGRICH
Middlefield, Ohio
COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM
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Felicia forages for oysters in Accabonac Harbor.
BACKYARD BLESSING
Pearls in the Sand Foraging for oysters with my daughter yielded a treasure trove of good food and good times. BY PAULA WETZEL East Hampton, New York
W
here we live in the country, you can survive most of the warm months without ever entering a chain supermarket. Farm stands and family owned seasonal stores are abundant. Since the corner shop sells organic milk, I went to a supermarket twice this past summer to buy essentials like garbage bags and toothpaste. To eat well on the eastern tip of the south fork of Long Island, New York, otherwise known as the Hamptons, you basically need a trip to town hall and $1o to buy a year long shellfish license. The total time spent to become a legal scrounger like me is 20 minutes. This fall has been a bountiful season for oysters, which should be plucked during the cooler months
that end in the letter r. When you harvest oysters, it’s best to have a plan. In the summer, my 8-yearold daughter, Felicia, and I scouted locations within 10 miles of our home. We checked back a handful of times to make sure the oysters were still there. Unlike clams, oysters stay put in the sand, filtering water and growing big enough to throw into the stew pot. During the first week of October, we harvested at a location that was a mere two blocks from our house. We threw the paddleboard in the car and, with a couple of string backpacks, we were on our way. We paddled just a bit into Hog Creek. Felicia stayed on the board, singing to any wildlife that would listen, dutifully putting each oyster into one of the bags. The foraging process lasted about 20 minutes,
and by the end I had at least two oyster feasts to prepare. I wanted my fellow harvester, my partner in crime, to enjoy the seafood of her labor, so oyster stew was the first thing I made. Felicia adored it. When we depleted our supply, we took a day off and went fishing. With bamboo poles in hand, she and I caught several blowfish that we lightly fried and snappers that my mother smoked for us. When we exhausted our smoked snapper supply, we went back to harvest more oysters. I imagine some local hunters greatly reduce their year-round food costs with large freezers full of venison and turkey. I haven’t worked my way up to that yet; I am too busy mastering my oyster foraging skills.
WORDS of WISDOM The one time a windshield wiper will work properly is when it’s holding a parking ticket. 22
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VIEW FROM OUR PLACE
‘God’s Hand Was in It All’ This ranch family found their happily ever after with horses, cattle and over 300 acres of gorgeous country.
BY SARAH LEA BOWMAN Olathe, Colorado
24 COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017
The Bowmans’ daughter, Kyanne, loves playing outside with her puppy pals.
Andrew Bowman checks on the cows with the San Juan Mountains in the distance.
T
here’s a difference between living and living well. And sometimes that difference means setting aside your dreams and fully embracing the life that God has given you. Born and raised in western Colorado, I have always loved the outdoors and animals. Though we moved too often for me to have animals of my own besides cats and gerbils, I had a chance to start riding horses when I was 12. Three times a week my parents took me to a stable where I signed up for lessons and began competing. Ever since, I have poured myself into learning about horses and improving my riding and training skills. By the time I was 15, I managed to save up enough money to purchase a 2-year-old quarter horse filly from a breeder friend of my mine. That horse taught me so much, and thanks to lots of instruction, I trained her myself and we competed together in 4-H and open shows. I had one goal in mind, and that was to become a professional trainer. So when I graduated from high school, I chose a college that offered a degree in horse training, which gave me the opportunity to do an internship with a top-notch reining horse trainer, Steve Schwartzenberger. The next year, I married my cowboy, Andrew Bowman. While he loves working horses and looking
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017
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after cattle, he is also a good mechanic and welder who can fix almost anything. After a time of working together on a large cattle ranch, we decided to build a house on his parents’ land. The Bow K Ranch consists of 365 acres of sloping irrigated hay fields and grassy pastures surrounded by steep barren hills. Circled by a life-giving irrigation canal, the ranch backs up to miles of cactus-covered plateaus and pinyon pines, with the ragged snowcapped San Juan Mountains in the distance. Just behind the ranch there is a deep canyon that contains evidence of bygone times, such as a Native American flint cave and a huge, petroglyph-covered rock. We bought an old farmhouse that was a few miles down the road and had it moved to the family ranch. I’ve always loved historic houses; it was a dream come true being able to get one placed here. Andrew then built a basement underneath and completed the necessary remodeling. A major project, God’s hand was in it all. From the dining room window, nearly the whole ranch is in view, as well as Grand Mesa, the largest flat-topped mountain in the world. Horses graze in the pasture closest to the house, and cattle roam over the remainder of the ranch. Nearby pens house our goats and ducks. A path winds to a small garden. As our farmhouse was coming together, we started our horse training business, offering colt starting, While fixing up their home, the couple started a business to board and train horses.
26 COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM
working with problem horses, giving riding lessons and boarding horses. I have always done a little artwork in between riding. Naturally my main subject has been horses, though I also enjoy dogs, and currently I prefer doing still-life drawings of saddles and boots. Mostly I work with graphite or colored pencils. Eight years after starting the business, we do more boarding than training, which allows me to spend extra time raising our 4-year-old daughter, Kyanne. Seeing her delight in animals and the outdoors brings me joy. Nothing warms my heart more than when she looks out across the beautiful mountains in awe and whispers, “Thank you, Jesus!” Kyanne loves riding her miniature horse and helping out with the border collie puppies we raise. Part of her daily routine includes going with me to milk the goats, gather the eggs and walk the dogs. She carries hay to her horse and helps bring veggies up from the garden. When Andrew isn’t feeding the horses or caring for our growing herd of Gelbvieh cattle, he helps with a cowboy church that puts on summer camps for the rodeo youth of the area. Andrew also joins in with the band most Sundays. While training and competing have been put on the back burner for now, I have come to appreciate the beauty in the life God has given me. The ranch my family calls home and the mountain we run our cows on are the most incredible country I could ask for.
Sarah finds joy through faith and family.
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Andrew and Sarah moved this old farmhouse to his parents’ ranch.
When I first saw the ad for BetterWOMAN, I was skeptical. So many products claim they can set you free from leaks, frequency and worry, only to deliver disappointment. When I finally tried BetterWOMAN, I found that it actually works! It changed my life. Even my friends have noticed that I’m a new person. And because it’s all natural, I can enjoy the results without the worry of dangerous side effects. Thanks to BetterWOMAN, I finally fought bladder control problems and I won!
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WHAT’S COOKING?
Flavors of Fall Cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom turn apple cider and pumpkin into unforgettable treats. OVERNIGHT PUMPKIN FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE
APPLE CIDER DOUGHNUTS
PATRICIA HARMON BADEN, PENNSYLVANIA
MELISSA HANSEN MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
PREP: 20 min. + chilling • BAKE: 65 min. • MAKES: 12 servings
PREP: 40 min. + chilling COOK: 5 min. per batch MAKES: 1 dozen plus holes
1 loaf (1 pound) cinnamonraisin bread 1 package (8 ounces) reducedfat cream cheese, cut into ¾ -inch cubes 8 large eggs 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk 1 cup canned pumpkin ⅔ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup fat-free milk
DIRECTIONS
3. Preheat oven to 350°. Remove casserole from refrigerator while oven heats. Bake, covered, for 40 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with pecans. Bake, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
1. Cut each slice of bread into
quarters. Arrange half of the bread in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish; layer with cubed cream cheese and remaining bread, pressing down slightly. 2. In a large bowl, whisk the
eggs, evaporated milk, pumpkin, brown sugar, fat-free milk, spices and salt. Pour over top. Refrigerate, covered, overnight.
OVERNIGHT PUMPKIN FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE
2 tsp. ground cinnamon tsp. ground nutmeg tsp. ground ginger tsp. ground cloves tsp. salt cup chopped pecans Confectioners’ sugar, optional Maple syrup, warmed, optional
¼ ¼ ⅛ ½ ½
4. Let stand for 5-10 minutes
before serving. If desired, dust with confectioners’ sugar and serve with maple syrup.
2 cups apple cider 3 cups all-purpose flour ½ cup whole wheat flour ⅔ cup packed brown sugar 2 tsp. baking powder ¾ tsp. salt ½ tsp. baking soda ¼ tsp. each ground cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon and allspice 2 large eggs 6 Tbsp. butter, melted and cooled Oil for deep-fat frying DIRECTIONS 1. In a saucepan, bring cider to a
rapid boil; cook over high heat to reduce by half, 12 minutes. Cool. 2. Whisk together the next six
ingredients and the spices. 3. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, melted butter and cooled cider; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened (dough will be sticky). Refrigerate, covered, for 1 hour or until firm enough to shape. 4. Divide the dough in half. On a
floured surface, pat each portion to
½ -in. thickness; cut with a floured 3-in. doughnut cutter. 5. In an electric skillet or deep fryer, heat oil to 325°. Fry doughnuts, a few at a time, until golden brown and cooked through, 2-3 minutes on each side. Fry the holes, a few at a time, until golden brown and cooked through, about 1 minute on each side. Drain doughnuts on paper towels; cool slightly. If desired, dip in a glaze or toss with Ginger Sugar: ¾ cup sugar plus 2-3 tablespoons ground ginger.
“Share a batch with friends and family who appreciate a hot, fresh doughnut.”
- MELISSA HANSEN
If you don’t have a doughnut cutter, use small and large biscuit cutters.
APPLE CIDER DOUGHNUTS
CRAVE MORE? Go to tasteofhome.com for more seasonal recipes.
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017
COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM
29
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New amplified phone lets you hear AND see the conversation.
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The Hamilton® CapTel® Captioned Telephone converts phone conversations to easy-to-read captions for individuals with hearing loss.
A simple idea… made possible with sophisticated technology. If you have trouble understanding a call, captioned telephone can change your life. During a phone call the words spoken to you appear on the phone’s screen – similar to closed captioning on TV. So when you make or receive a call, the words spoken to you are not only amplified by the phone, but scroll across the phone so you can listen while reading everything that’s said to you. Each call is routed through a call center, where computer technology – aided by a live representative – generates voiceto-text translations. The captioning is real-time, accurate and readable. Your conversation is private and the captioning service doesn’t cost you a penny. Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) is regulated and funded by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and is designed exclusively for individuals with hearing loss.
To learn more, visi The Hamilton Cap requires telephone high-speed Intern WiFi Capable. Call do not need specia equipment or a captioned telephon in order to speak with you. Finally… a phone you can use again. The Hamilton CapTel phone is also pack with features to hel make phone calls The keypad has lar , use buttons. You get adjustable volume amplification along with the ability to save captions for review later. It even has an answering machine that provides you with the captions of each message.
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The Black River flows through a hardwood forest ablaze in reds, yellows and oranges in Wisconsin’s Pattison State Park.
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COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL
A Feast for the Senses
TERRY DONNELLY
The rustle of falling leaves and vibrant hues in the trees announce autumn’s arrival.
COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM
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A friendly scarecrow keeps the birds away so kids can play in this pumpkin patch in Maryland.
34
COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM
SCARECROW: PAUL REZENDES ; VALLEY: PAT & CHUCK BLACKLEY
Settled by German immigrants in the 18th century, West Virginia’s Germany Valley boasts hillsides kissed by the colors of autumn.
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At 14,150 feet, Mount Sneffels is one of the storied fourteeners in Colorado.
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COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM
MOUNTAIN: TERRY DONNELLY; MEETING HOUSE: PAT & CHUCK BLACKLEY
A carpet of leaves welcomes visitors to a meeting house in Sugar Hill, New Hampshire.
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MYSTERY PHOTO Where did photographer Paul Rezendes take this photo? Find out on page 72.
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COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM
GOD'S COUNTRY
Beauty PASSAGE TO
Cut by ancient waters, the Columbia River Gorge leads to a paradise of cliffs and waterfalls. STORY AND PHOTOS BY DAVID JENSEN
Memaloose Island was a landmark used by explorers of the Columbia River Gorge.
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Recently a photographer friend who had just returned from Costa Rica confessed to me that the trip had increased his appreciation for a place much closer to home. “In just 10 miles of the Columbia River Gorge, there is vastly more to see and photograph than in all of Costa Rica,” he told me. The precipitous canyon separating Oregon and Washington contains one of the world’s great rivers and 85 rugged miles of incredible things to see and photograph. At no time of year is the gorge more spectacular than in October and November. Then, the bigleaf maples in the west and the oaks in the eastern savannas turn yellow and gold. The towering, glacierclad volcanoes of Mount Hood and Mount Adams are framed by the brilliant reds of vine maple and dusted with fresh snow. But the gorge is a premier place for photography any time of year. And it is also a paradise for just about every form of outdoor recreation, including white-water rafting, hiking, backpacking, kayaking, mountain biking, fishing, windsurfing, kiteboarding, birding, skiing and mountain climbing. The gorge is the only sea level gap or interruption in the 700-mile-long Cascade Range, which divides the Pacific Northwest into two dramatically different worlds. On the windy west side of the mountains, clouds drop 75 inches of rain on the heavy forest each year. On the sheltered east side, the grasslands are generally dry as bone—a dramatic rain-shadow desert. The gorge’s natural diversity is a result of the abrupt elevation change from the canyon’s sea level floor to the misty heights of peaks such as Mount Defiance, which soars to almost 5,000 feet above the river. The upper section of Multnomah Falls, the tallest fall in Oregon, pours into vibrant foliage. 42
COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017
These fishermen chose a marvelous fall day to be on the Columbia River. With the view of Rooster Rock all to themselves, let’s hope the catch of the day came late.
Long used by indigenous people, the gorge later became the principal corridor for settlers headed to the West Coast. Imagine pioneers in their covered wagons struggling for months to reach the end of the Oregon Trail, only to be forced by the cliffs to take to the river; then, so close to their goal, risking drowning in the Columbia’s rapids (which are now contained behind Bonneville Dam). Imagine road workers blasting into the cliffs over years and finally completing the Columbia River Highway in 1922— the dawn of the automobile age. (A campaign hopes to restore as much of this classic roadway as possible and make it a world-class path for hikers and bikers by 2022.) Today the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area protects the canyon and attracts about 2 million visitors per year. Tourists come to explore 13 state parks, as well as other natural areas, recreation sites, campgrounds, interpretive centers and museums. They are drawn to 57 hiking trails, many leading OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017
COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM
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From the Oregon side, St. Peter’s Dome glows in the autumn light.
AREA ENLARGED
Vista House on Crown Point sits 733 feet above the river. vistahouse.com
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COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017
Learn the area’s history at the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum. columbiagorge.org
HOUSE: GINO RIGUCCI/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO; TRUCK: JOHN TRAX/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
to arguably one of the world’s most impressive concentrations of waterfalls (about 40 of them on the Oregon side alone). The best known fall is Multnomah, which at over 600 feet is the tallest in the state. Numerous others, including Horsetail Falls, can also be found along the Historic Columbia River Highway. This remnant of the classic road also takes sightseers to the top of Crown Point cliff, a dizzying 733 feet above the river. The waterfalls and cliffs visitors love to explore were created in the last ice age, when raging floodwaters from Montana roared through the gorge, stripping away topsoil and carving sheer precipices. These floods repeatedly submerged Crown Point beneath hundreds of feet of raging, iceberg choked water. St. Peter’s Dome is another flood carved pinnacle soaring above the river. Guarded by overhanging walls of shattered basalt, the dome’s summit is really the most inaccessible point in the gorge, epitomizing the forbidding wildness of this landscape. Scaling the dome is dangerous even for seasoned climbers, and few attempt it. On the Washington side of the river, the flood carved into an ancient volcano, leaving a core that is now called Beacon Rock. 1918 saw the completion of a spectacular trail to the top of the rock, 848 feet above the river. This hike is one of the gorge’s most popular, but it’s definitely not for those who fear heights. I’ve been reveling in this unparalleled landscape for decades, trying to take it all in. There is so much I haven’t seen yet and so many trails I’ve never hiked. Costa Rica can wait.
PHOTOS BY DAVID JENSEN; MAP BY SCOTT SCHILLER
Scenic curves abound on the Historic Columbia River Highway. columbiariverhighway.com
Punch Bowl Falls
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COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM
45
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Heart & Soul Love. Laugh. Inspire.
“My grandsons, Jack and Eli, live on our farm, where we host a corn maze and a pumpkin patch. On this day, I spotted them running with glee to the hay ride. MARY JANE MCDONALD
Zanesville, Ohio
COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM
47
PEOPLE
The Straw Sculptors Our farm community works as a team to turn big bales into amazing artwork. BY KATHY CORGATELLI NE VILLE Idaho Falls, Idaho
A
few years ago, Darla Hoff painted a pumpkin face onto a round straw bale to advertise her U-pick pumpkin patch at Al and Karen Goldman’s farm in Idaho Falls. While Darla has stopped growing pumpkins, the annual tradition of straw bale art lives on at the farm and has grown to involve friends and neighbors. Once Darla comes up with an idea, the team goes to work. Past creations have included an owl, Minions, dueling tractors, Thomas the Tank Engine and a teddy bear. The impressive public art has become quite an attraction. “People who drive by seem to get a kick out of it,” Al says. When Darla, her daughter Savannah, and Darla’s sister DeAnne Hoots painted Minion faces on three of the round straw bales, these bright yellow critters were the talk of the town. The Minion display was the site of a wedding proposal and children’s
48 COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM
field trips, and it also lured many picture takers and admirers. “We all picked a different face and chose a straw bale,” Darla says. “It was my favorite display.” The giant teddy bear was Karen’s favorite. “His great big smile just made me happy,” she says. Dueling tractors have since replaced the Minions in Darla’s affections. For these, Al, a loyal John Deere owner, baled round straw bales in two different sizes smaller ones for the tractor’s front tires and larger ones for the rear. Large square bales made up the bodies. Jerry Kienlen used his equipment to arrange the bales in the shape of two tractors. Then it was time to bring the tractors to life. Karen and her
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017
Story continues on page 50
Karen, Al and Darla (above, from left) design a new creation each fall.
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Colors on the bales are applied using a spray gun.
Many helpers came together to build a teddy bear (top right) and dueling tractors.
daughter, Lana Hedrick, secured some green paint from Bingham County Implement in Blackfoot, and Steven Longhurst, a devoted Case equipment owner, got some red paint from Pioneer Equipment in Idaho Falls. Darla’s husband, James, sprayed the entire creation with a paint gun. For the finishing touches, Steven donated two shiny exhaust stacks, and Al and Karen salvaged two steering wheels from their farm parts stash. The farm’s annual straw bale art projects have become a way for 50 COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM
everyone to celebrate the end of another growing season. “It’s just something fun to do together after harvest,” Al says. Generations of these families have planted potatoes, grains and alfalfa in this fertile soil. Raised on the farms they now cultivate, they grew up together as their elders did before them. “This neighborhood has always been close,” says Jane Hoff, Darla’s mother in law. It helps that Al and Karen are truly super neighbors. Every year they also grow about two acres of
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017
corn to give away. Al’s dad started the tradition 20 years ago, and Al and Karen have kept it going. Anyone can pick some, or Al and Karen will even deliver. And during long Idaho winters, everyone congregates at the farm, where fresh coffee and cookies are served like clockwork at 10 a.m. and again at 3 p.m. This year’s straw bale creation theme is Straw Wars. Without a doubt, the force will be with the team. And all eyes will be on Al and Karen’s farm as their creation takes shape.
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Here Comes... Maw Maw? Our country wedding was all about fun, family and surprises. BY KARIE CHATHAM Mount Olive, Mississippi
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hen I was planning my wedding, I knew exactly who I wanted to be my flower girl. I love my younger cousins, but I chose a woman who has been married for over 50 years, raised four kids and cared for 11 grandkids and eight great grandkids. I chose Margie Miller, my grandmother. What a legacy Maw Maw has given us. She’s a one of a kind, special edition woman who can sew, cook, clean, garden, farm,
feed chickens, chase children and smile at the same time. I wanted that strong, faithful woman to lead me down the aisle at my wedding. She didn’t believe me when I asked her to be my flower girl! My husband-to-be, Chris, loves his grandparents as much as I love mine, so I asked his granny, Patsy Chatham, to be a flower girl, too. We didn’t tell the guests about our surprise. When Maw Maw and Granny came down the aisle tossing petals, they shocked a lot of people. But I think everyone fell
in love with them. How could they not? Margie and Patsy were so cute as flower girls. Of course, our wedding wasn’t a typical one. The bridal party was small in addition to the flower girls, my aunt was the matron of honor and Chris’ father was the best man. The ceremony was held outdoors, and our friends supplied the music. After the ceremony, we released “I do” balloons and danced down the aisle to the song “Good Day for Marrying You.” After enjoying tons of candy and southern food, Chris and I rode away on a bicycle built for two as guests held sparklers. It was all great fun, but what made our wedding special was the people who helped make Chris and me who we are. When my brother and I were kids, we hung out with our grandparents while our parents worked. Maw Maw let me cook with her and taught me how to play piano. We went camping and talked for hours. And she was there for me when I was diagnosed with childhood cancer at age 12. Today we are still close. Maw Maw and I live about 15 minutes from each other and love to go antique shopping and exploring our home state of Mississippi. Growing up, it’s easy to idolize the adults you love. They are bigger than life, stronger than nails and tougher than any car on the market. However, you slowly see that the house you once thought was so big is actually smaller than you remembered, and the hand that gripped yours in support, though still strong, is becoming arthritic. Family is the most important thing, and I was so pleased to have them by my side at our wedding. But I’m even more pleased that I have them every day after.
WORDS of WISDOM When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember the fire department uses water. 52
COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017
EDWARD MILLER
Patsy (left) and Margie (right) were the perfect flower girls.
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Henna Cluck hopped onto a fence and found a new flock to love.
ANIMAL TALES
A Home for Henna We were delighted when this lost chicken picked our place to rule the roost. BY LINDY ROBBINS Chula Vista, California
W
hile relaxing on my patio in March 2015, I went from being a city girl to a “farmer” in the blink of an eye when I spied a chicken walking along our back fence. We were used to seeing stray dogs and cats around our neigh borhood, but never a chicken! Having no experience with chickens didn’t prevent me from putting out some water and kale while wondering where she might have come from. She didn’t seem to be the fat and friendly type of chicken I’d seen on television but rather a lean, long legged bird that did not warm up to me. She flew onto the roof and avoided all efforts to lure her even with treats.
No one in our neighborhood was looking for a lost bird. I called a few animal rescue organizations and left fliers at rural vet offices, but no one seemed interested in providing a home for one lone chicken. Animal control workers could not capture her with their nets and containers. After several weeks of phone calls and neighborhood searches, my husband, Charles, agreed that Henna Cluck—we had to name her!—was our chicken. As time went by, Henna taught us what we needed to know about chickens, with some help from a few websites and books from the library. We figured out that she was a wheaten Aseel hen, raised for ornamental purposes. She roosted
each night in a tree by our front door and spent her days napping under the bougainvillea. We bought a special solar light with two “eyes” to discourage predatory owls and hawks, and we filled our cabinets with chicken mash, chicken scratch, poultry grit and dried cider vinegar powder to keep her healthy. We were the only farmers I knew who spent so much on one chicken that provided no eggs or meat. Gradually, however, Henna did allow us to get closer. She would take a dust bath in front of me and eventually ate treats off the top of my shoe and out of my hand. She greeted me with various clucks and came to our kitchen window to call for me. Charles teased me about being a humble servant to a wild chicken, but I didn’t mind. Our beloved chicken Henna was with us for almost two years, and we honored her with a proper burial in our yard. Perhaps we will never be real farmers, but I now have a new appreciation for one of God’s creatures.
WORDS of WISDOM It is easier to preach 10 sermons than to live one. 54
COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017
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LIFE IN FOCUS
Falling for Fall Readers open their photo albums and share the best of the season. 56 COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017
GOLD RUSH Colorado’s glowing foliage caught my eye in a meadow of the San Juan National Forest, between the historic mining towns of Durango and Silverton. ARNOLD BAUMFAK
St. Helens, Oregon
LITTLE LUMBERJACK Our son, Makai, helped Daddy collect firewood during our last family camping trip before Utah’s American Fork Canyon closed for the winter. ANNIE THOMSON
Provo, Utah TOE-TAPPING TUNES During Oktoberfest in Chattanooga, musicians Mark Griffin Jr. and Arron Ramey entertained everyone with some down-home country songs. DONNA MULLINS
Ooltewah, Tennessee
WONDER IN THE WOODS Colorful leaves perfectly framed the Glade Creek Grist Mill at Babcock State Park in West Virginia. RAYMOND MASSEY
Sherburne, New York
COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM
57
TRICK OR TREAT My grandsons Cy, Chapman and Cooper dressed up as the Lion, the Tin Man and the Scarecrow for Halloween. ELLEN BARNETT
Bristow, Oklahoma
PILE OF JOY After leaves fall off the maple tree, my grandson Jonah loves to play in them! JAN MATULKA
Rosemount, Minnesota
CLASSIC CAROLINA Even though it’s practically in my backyard, I never tire of the scenery along the Blue Ridge Parkway. GREG PASSMORE
Bryson City, North Carolina
58 COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017
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Create a lovely still-life scene by incorporating a variety of colors, textures and materials.
HAPPY HARVEST Half Way Farm in Chautauqua County, New York, decorates this old wagon every fall. Makes me smile every time! JUDY WRODA
Ashville, New York AMERICAN BEAUTY Last year, I drove on the only road through Alaska’s Denali National Park. As we rounded a curve, we spotted this eagle among the vibrant fall colors. SHANNA ARNESON
Bozeman, Montana 60 COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM
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Bring What You Have Thanksgiving without all the trimmings was refreshing and delicious. BY SALLY PARKER-HENDERSON Seattle, Washington
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few years ago, we were invited to a Thanksgiving dinner with a twist. The idea was to prepare and enjoy a festive meal like the one the Pilgrims had in 1621. The rules were simple: no buying items for this meal. We could bring things we already had on hand,
such as canned goods or food from the garden, or we could barter for what we wanted to bring. No matter what we brought, each dish would have a story. We were fortunate; a friend had given us a few ducks that were now in the freezer. I didn’t know how to cook them but soon poked my nose into a series of cookbooks.
It was amazing when we finally arrived, in early afternoon that Thanksgiving Day, at a beautiful home settled among tall evergreen trees and with a large window facing the salty Puget Sound. The time of year was gray and overcast, but there was no threat of rain. With about 10 people, the group was intimate and cozy. Our meal began with homemade popcorn as an appetizer. It tasted delicious with the warmed cider we were drinking. And the children in the group loved the novelty of having popcorn for dinner! We talked about the lives of our early ancestors and what they might have eaten. We talked about the simplicity of their meal, made with items they had managed to plant, fish for and no doubt hunt. As we moved on to the main course, we were astonished at the dishes that graced the table: duck and salmon, green salads and fruit salads, baked potatoes. For dessert we indulged in a persimmon pie and Swedish fruit soup. We laughed and shared stories about where these foods had come from. Many gardens had produced some of it. Along with our ducks, the persimmons had been given as gifts. (Thankfully the gentleman who brought the pie knew how to make a pie crust.) The host family had caught the salmon almost in their front yard. I don’t remember anyone saying they missed turkey or pumpkin pie. After dinner we all took a walk outside and later gathered in front of the fireplace to play board games. The words that come to mind when remembering this meal are simply satisfying. It felt good to have taken the extra steps in finding the food. It felt good that it was uncomplicated and delicious. All of it together made for a terrific Thanksgiving that I will always remember.
WORDS of WISDOM If you listen to the never do’s, it’s never done. 62
COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017
ITS_AL_DENTE/SHUTTERSTOCK
Sometimes a simple meal is the best kind.
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Patti learned the value of kindness from her Michigan hometown.
GOOD NEIGHBORS
We Take Care of Our Own
M
y baby brother came into the world two weeks after I started high school. At 14, I was the oldest of three and hoped this baby wasn’t going to rain on my parade very much. Being a big sister again just wasn’t part of my plan. But two minutes after Keith was born, Mom had a stroke. The doctor told Dad if it had happened during the delivery the stroke likely would have killed them both. When Dad came home, he said the future was uncertain because Mom might not survive. I was so scared when he pulled me onto his lap and said, “Well, little girl, looks like we’ve got a baby to raise.” My strong father was clearly petrified. He was unintentionally leaning on me to help him through it. But I need not have worried. Keith’s arrival brought out the very
best in Wayland, Michigan. The old saying, “We take care of our own,” was never better illustrated. A young couple in our church offered to care for Keith until we could manage him ourselves. I can’t believe they were willing to take on a newborn when they had two young boys at home. Their help made all the difference. We benefited from many other acts of kindness. The local Catholic church held a Mass for Mom and
Patti (left), Mom and sister Debbie
we weren’t Catholic! Meals showed up at dinnertime for weeks. The lawn got mowed, and I don’t think Dad even knew who was doing it. Keith stayed with his surrogate family for over a month and the story ends happily. He grew like little babies do, Mom recovered, and I grew up a little faster than planned, but oh so grateful. Years later, my friend Helen found out she was going to have twins, and her little girl would be 15 months old when the babies arrived. Not only did we hold a baby shower, but I marshaled the effort to have dinner delivered for the first few weeks she was home. Helen, who grew up in a suburb in California, had never heard of such a thing people going out of their way to help someone else. She was used to not even knowing her neighbors. But I said, “We’re transplanted Midwesterners, and we take care of our own!”
WORDS of WISDOM The shortest way to wear out your welcome is to wear a long face. 64
COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017
NEIGHBORHOOD: AGE FOTOSTOCK/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
The folks in our small town knew just what to do when my family needed a helping hand. BY PATTI CLARK Concord, California
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HUMOR
Begging for Biscuits Our giant dog just couldn’t find the fun in Halloween.
A
sea of cherub-faced princesses, ghosts and goblins raised jack-o’-lanterns and shouted “trick or treat!” We sat waiting for them outside. Marley, our komondor dog, was beside us, wagging his tail incessantly. He loved little people. Despite his imposing size, most of them felt likewise. Often Marley found himself surrounded by neighbor children, their faces buried in his clumpy dreadlocks. But that night, after the third or fourth Halloween salutation, Marley grew agitated. He watched anxiously, whimpering, as candy clunked into buckets and bags. My husband and I didn’t know what to make of it. The whining got
worse, and eventually Marley crammed his huge head into a bag looking for treats. We replaced the candy, of course, and reprimanded him for his outburst. Marley simply plopped to the ground. “Maybe we should put him in the house,” I suggested. “Let’s give him another chance,” my husband answered. “Trick or treat!” a child cried, his feet crunching and crackling over the carpet of red, yellow, orange and brown leaves. Marley sat up straight and tall. His eyebrows moved up and down and his enormous pink tongue remained frozen. Marley’s eyes shifted from us to the child until we dropped the candy into the bag. He pawed the sack. He was looking for something.
“I know what the problem is,” my husband said finally. “Trick or treat.” I didn’t get it, so he repeated the phrase, with the emphasis on treat. Then it hit me. Marley connected the word with doggy biscuits. He must have felt it was a cruel prank, hearing that word over and over and watching kids run off with his booty. I went inside, grabbed some biscuits and gave them to Marley. Outside, skeletons and pirates paraded across the yard, yelling the magic phrase. We couldn’t just train Marley to forget the word treat. So every October, our former Halloween helper spends the night inside, waiting, like Scrooge at Christmas, for this unjust holiday to pass.
WORDS of WISDOM A dog who attends a flea circus may steal the show. 66 COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017
STEVE BJÖRKMAN
BY LISA MACKINDER Kalamazoo, Michigan
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JOKES What breed of dog tells off-color jokes? A smutt. DEBBY SMITH East Otto, New York Pack a Lunch
Good Grooming
While walking along a trail, my 7-year-old grandson, Ryan, commented, “There’s a fork in the road back there.” “Really?” I asked, imagining someone’s missing silverware. But then a thought occurred to me. “Oh, was it a plastic one?” Laughing hysterically, Ryan said, “No, Grandma, it’s where the road splits in two!”
Pollen and allergies got the best of Liam, my 9-year-old son, so he stayed home from school with his grandma. When I got home from work, he said he had brushed our dog, Abby. Knowing that I kept the dog’s brush up out of reach so she couldn’t chew on it, I asked, “How did you know where I keep Abby’s brush?” He gave me a puzzled look and said matter-of-factly, “I didn’t. I used your brush.”
PAULINE KETTLEBOROUGH
Churubusco, Indiana
Catch Me If You Can Several years ago we headed to a nearby town to visit some relatives. I had a new car and was having fun driving fast on the twisty country roads. As we zoomed along, I noticed a three-legged chicken keeping pace with me. I slowed to get a better look at the speedster when it turned and went down a dirt road. I stopped, turned around and followed it. After a short ride, we came upon a house with an older couple sitting on the porch and dozens of three-legged chickens in the yard. I asked them, “Are these your chickens? They’re the fastest I’ve ever seen.” The old man said, “Yep.” So I asked him where they came from, and he replied, “When the kids were younger, they always fought over the chicken legs, so we decided to breed a three-legged chicken.” I nodded and said, “Well, they are fast, but what do they taste like?” He admitted, “Not rightly sure; we never could catch one.” NICK GOODRICH
Mountain Home, Arkansas
VICKI FRENCH
Maumelle, Arkansas
the “bread and juice.” One Sunday, we attended a church out of town that was more formal. What our church called bread and juice, this one referred to as elements, a word William didn’t understand. As Communion began, the pastor said, “If the deacons will come forward, the elements will pass among us.” William was suddenly excited and I didn’t know why. Then he leaned toward me, whispering something that caused me to burst out laughing. With all eyes on us, I took him by the hand and we made a hasty exit. All the way to the car, he protested. “Mom, we’re going to miss the circus. The pastor said the elephants were going to pass among us!” TERESA AMBORD
Anderson, California
Circus Comes to Church When my son, William, was young, we belonged to a small country church. On Communion day, deacons would pass around
MAKE US LAUGH! Share a joke, funny story or photo and we may print it here! Details on page 72.
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ONE OF THESE PUMPKINS IS NOT LIKE THE OTHERS I had to laugh when I saw my cat, Morris, blending right in with the autumn decorations! LINDA SELFRIDGE Ridgefield, Washington
68 COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017
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COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017
Kari Hodes VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCIAL PLANNING & ANALYSIS
William Houston
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Simple treasures abound in nature.
REFLECTIONS
I HAD TO BE COAXED into the hike. My wife, who puts hiking in the fall at the top of her list of favorite things to do, reminded me how we had hiked when we were first dating. I moaned and groaned about wanting to watch football, but as the sun glistened atop the leaves I was swayed to join her. As our hike progressed, I had to admit that the fresh fall air and unexpected warmth made the time in the woods rather enjoyable. I glanced over at some kids playing near a stream. One of them exclaimed that he had found some shells. My wife loves shells, so she jumped up and walked over to see for herself. Sure enough, the kids were right. There were shells in this southeastern Ohio stream. She grabbed one and held it up like a prize. I began to look around for shells also, and although I saw a few, what really caught my eye was a perfectly flat stone on the ground. In an instant I recalled skip ping stones as a kid. Watching a flat stone skip across the top of the water seven or eight times was like watching some sort of magic trick.
I told my wife she could keep her shells; I had found some skipping stones. She gave me a puzzled look and asked, “What are skipping stones?” I showed my find to her and told her to watch me as I flung the stone so that it hit the water and then skipped along the surface several times. She looked on in amazement and asked, “How do you do that?” I gave her a quick lesson. After just a few attempts, she was a pro. For a couple of perfect minutes I stood behind my wife and wrapped my arms around her waist. I could tell she was content and proud of her new skill. I was glad I was there to share in it. We had so much fun, we hadn’t noticed the sun fading behind the trees. As a boy I thought skipping a stone was magical. As a middle aged man, sharing this moment with the woman I have loved for over 20 years was beyond magical. That’s the beauty of life. The simple and unex pected moments are almost always the best ones. DAVID WARREN Kettering, Ohio
WORDS of WISDOM If you can’t be a lifter, don’t be a leaner. 74 COUNTRY-MAGAZINE.COM
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017
FRANK TOZIER/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
A Stone’s Throw
All-New
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Get coupon at greatcall.com/coupon To order or learn more, call 1-866-369-6716 or visit greatcall.com 1 25% off device valid only for new customers or new lines of service. Offer valid through 10/15/17. 2Monthly service fee does not include government taxes or assessment surcharges and is subject to change. Requires a device purchase and a one-time setup fee of $35. Valid credit or debit card required for monthly service. 3Good Housekeeping Research Institute - Aug. 2014. $200 savings calculation was determined by averaging PERS market leaders’ monthly fees (not all PERS have the same features). The Lively Mobile is rated IPX7 and can be submerged in up to 3ft of water for up to 30 mins. Fall Detection is an optional feature. Fall Detection may not always accurately detect a fall. GreatCall is not a healthcare provider. Seek the advice of your physician if you have questions about medical treatment. 5Star or 9-1-1 calls can only be made when cellular service is available. 5Star Service will be able to track an approximate location when your device is turned on and connected to the network, but we cannot guarantee an exact location. Palus, Shannon. “The Best Medical Alert Systems.” Sweethome. 6 June 2017. Web. GreatCall, 5Star and Lively are registered trademarks of GreatCall, Inc. Copyright ©2017 GreatCall, Inc.
“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.” – JOHN MUIR
GOD BLESS AMERICA