Sunday, June 20, 2010
A Grace-Filled End to Our Potluck Paradise Tour
We could not have picked a more perfect ending for our Potluck Paradise Tour of Southwestern Minnesota in June of 2010. The Friends of the Graceville Public Library put on a potluck before our presentation. We gathered in the community center a block from the library. The building had been the school connected with Holy Rosary Church. For our visit the tables and chairs were lined up between the basketball hoops and the kitchen was filled with the fabulous aroma of warming hot dishes.
It was like stepping through a magic portal or a time machine. The linoleum-tiled halls were lined with wooden doors opening into the classrooms of the past. We could almost hear the voices of generations of school children echoing off the concrete block walls. The building was filled with the spirits of joyful community. And tangible evidence of a great many potlucks.
As it had at all of the stops on this tour, our formal presentation ended by evolving into conversation. The distance between audience and presenter evaporated in exclamations of shared memories of recipes, food, family life, and the power of women's community.
Our thanks and deepest appreciation go to those of you who invited us and worked so hard to make each stop such a success, We send our best wishes to the wonderful people who came to the seven libraries or town meeting rooms. You took us into your community if only for an hour or so and we are the better for the experience.
This is Potluck Paradise and we could not have wished for more.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Stopping Traffic in Maynard.
Two city signs in a row! We pulled onto the main street of Maynard, Minnesota last night to speak at the brand new city meeting room. What a lovely, modern facility with wireless sound system and set up for top-quality projection. But the most charming moment was when we spotted the classic "sandwichboard" style sign in the middle of Cynthia Street, announcing our event.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Potluck Paradise -- the Talk of the Town
I don't think either one of us has ever been on "the Town Sign" before -- But there we were up on the main street in Lake Lillian, our second stop on Thursday. The audience in the charming City Center meeting room was worthy of being up on a sign, too. We had a wonderful time speaking to a lively group.
Our two-ingredient strawberry jam demonstration went well and sharing the finished product spooned onto crackers brought both presentations to a tasty conclusion.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Wonderful Time in Friendly Tyler
We were jamming last night in the very scenic and friendly town of Tyler, Minnesota.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
On the Great Southwest Minnesota Book Tour
Deb and I had two wonderful events on Tuesday. First stop -- the Heron Lake public library. There Deb "conquered cabbage" and I made a quick cucumber pickle. In the evening we took the show on the road to Slayton. We had hoped to show our Powerpoint, but for the first time in 5 days the sun was shining. The glorious setting sun lit up the lovely meeting room so brightly the images were practically invisible! None of us complained and we had a wonderful time talking, discussing, and demonstrating.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Potluck Paradise in the Press and on the Road
St. Paul's Pioneer Press columnist Lynda Kochevar used Potluck Paradise to answer a reader's request for an oven-baked spare rib recipe. http://www.twincities.com/ci_15117130.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Luncheon at Waseca Historical Society-- May 27
Make your reservations for luncheon and program on how Minnesotans acted with "can do" ingenuity and "must do" drive to solve the problems of feeding our soldiers and allies during World War I.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Reading and Chocolate Cookies
I'll be reading from Food Will Win the War: Minnesota Crops, Cooks, and Conservation during World War I at the Merriam Park Public Library. The event is sponsored by Friends of the St. Paul Public Library and Mississippi Market -- our super neighborhood food co-op!
Event starts at 7 pm. Monday, April 26, 2010.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Two Book Signings in April
Monday, April 19, 2010
4 pm
University Book Store in Coffman Union Minneapolis Campus
A celebration of University of Minnesota Archives and book launch
Author Rae Katherine Eighmey will discuss the important role documents from University of Minnesota Archives played in the research and read from her new book published by the Minnesota Historical Society Press.
Monday, April 26, 2010
7 pm
Merriam Park Library
1831 Marshall Avenue in St. Paul
This event is sponsored by the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library and is part of the Mississippi Market food lecture series.
Eighmey will talk about the challenges and accomplishments during WWI as Minnesotans jumped into significant food conservation efforts with a “can-do spirit” and a “must-do drive.”
Samples of World War I wheat-saving “Liberty” bread developed by the University of Minnesota home economists will be available at both events
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Spring Fling Book Signing in Minneapolis
The folks at Rick Rack have stocked the store with wonderful new and retro treasures just in time for Spring.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Lincoln Mystery -- Reading and Discussion
Link to Amazon.com listing:http://bit.ly/9M3Ba4