Sharing Reports - September, 2009
OLT has been busy 'socializing'. We have a wonderful sister, Krissie,
who plans our socials. For Beginning Day, we had a multi-day social on
Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. Our virtual favors came from the Beta
Shoppe - I think several of us got ideas for secret sister Christmas
shopping. A few favors came from Canadian sites. The Beta Shoppe had the
perfect red t-shirt for us with the saying I am a Canadian Beta Sigma Phi.
This week end, we are going to Mackinac Island to relax at a spa day.
Should be a very relaxing week end.
We continue to support the different sites at the breast cancer site
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2&link=ctg_bcs_home_from_ars_home_sitenav
We did a total of 1.662 clicks during the month of August. Not all of us
have the computer access necessary to do the clicks as they have to use
their computers at work.
Please visit our web site at
http://roxlucas.webs.com/
Like other chapters, we have a prayer list. Annie does a wonderful
job keeping our prayer list current. On Wednesday's, we blow bubbles to ease
the prayers upwards.
We haven't had any visitors for a while. Is this true with other on
line chapters?
Maybe potential visitors were on vacation and/or getting the
children ready for the new school year.
Our book club is very active with many books being exchanged among our
members. Thanks heavens for media rate postage for books!
Sheri, our program chairman for this year, has come up with a unique
organization of our programs. Only three topics. Presidents, First Ladies,
and Inventions. This month we will learn about Truman. My program was on
the invention of White Out. The programs are very interesting. Usually,
it is like at your land chapter meeting, the program is presented and
discussed. It usually does not continue over several days but just the day of
the presentation of the program. Programs are my favorite part of a Beta
Sigma Phi meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Arlene
OLT Rep
August
Our August Meeting’s theme was "How do you like to spend "my time"?" and one member was excused. Attendance included 41 members including 3 on LOA. Many of the members traveled to see each other, attended State Conventions and tried to escape the heat and such. August saw us celebrate 7 birthdays, 5 anniversaries, and the following sisters celebrated their special days: Bobbi T.
September
Our September Meeting has not arrived yet, but our Program has and the responses have been wonderful and enthusiastic! The questions for this month’s program were:
1) What dreams have you already fulfilled in your life?
2) What things are still on your bucket list (wish list)?
We have 5 birthdays being celebrated this month and 3 anniversaries.
Much of the talk this month has focused on the Sisters in California and the wildfires. We are all okay, thank goodness. There have also been travel reports from several sisters from different areas.
Michele
OLD Rep
President Pam has introduced our chapter to "Rose the Traveling Sister." The project was very well received by our group and should be a lot of fun.
Yahoo Geo Cities has given notice that their free web site building service and community will be closing on October 26, 2009. As a result, our chapter is launching a new website this month. Our new website has a link to the the Beta Journal on the Officer/Committees page. (To access it, go to the lower left side of the page. Under the passport, click on the link: "BSP Information & Updates").
Be sure to check out our new website: http://olpbsp.wetpaint.com/
MEMBERSHIP: We are pleased to welcome a new member, Jean, to our chapter. At the same time, we are sad that Wynn has gone on leave due to an unexpected health problem.
PROGRAMS: Our July program was about the 'History of Chocolate.' Carole cleverly tied her program in with our International theme, "Chocolate has had its own 'PASSPORT' to the world with many enjoying the 'ADVENTURE' of tasting chocolate." Our August program was about the month of August and some fun facts that are not widely known.
SPECIAL SISTERS: Our chairwoman has been busy coordinating Special Sisters for the 2009-2010 year. Special thanks go to Kimberly for all her hard work on this project.
RECIPES: Kudos to our Recipe Committee for keeping us informed in the food department. Vicki S posted a summer recipe for "Variety Salad" and recommended a website for more delicious recipes on Gormettraveler.com. Kathy S recommended a website for those who have problems with sugar or caloric intake at Splenda.com.
Respectively submitted,
Rose
OLP Rep
OLB has had a fun filled summer. Members have enjoyed viewing photos and sharing our lives with one another. Our committees are up and running for 2009-2010.
Our Recipe/Craft Committee has shared some yummy recipes and easy crafts with us. There's a little something there for everyone.
Our program for June was Hearing Loss. Members shared firsthand what it is like to experience hearing loss. Cathy shared her diary and photos of her Cochlear Implant surgery. Our July Program was on ice cream; its origins, all the different flavors, and ice cream around the world.
For August Program we had a guest speaker on "women in the hot seat" Our guest was a female firefighter from TX. It was so interesting to learn about her life as a firefighter and trials and tribulations of working in a male dominated career. We were able to ask questions about her life at the firehouse with a bunch of guys. It was also interesting as to how our Program Committee found her. One of our Canadian sisters who is active on Face Book met this lady and in the course of their correspondence found out she was a firefighter. One thing lead to another and a program idea was born and who knows, maybe a prospective member of Beta Sigma Phi was found.
Mackinac Island seems to be a popular place for socials. To the members of OLT, you will enjoy your trip there. OLB toured Mackinac Island for our social in July. It is a beautiful place and many of us have added it to our bucket list of places to visit in the real world.
We ended our Summer with a bang by attending the First Annual OLB Days throughout the week of August 23 through August 29. Our social committee sent out emails every day with fun things for us to do.a summer word search one day, a Swat the Skeeter game the next, recipes for fun campfire foods, etc. It was a great way to celebrate the lazy, hazy days of summer.
Our Service Committee shared an article with us at our August meeting on Protecting our families from the use of dangerous plastics for food storage.
Alice keeps us informed about special days, birthdays and anniversaries by sending out reminders to the list and e-greetings. She also keeps our prayer list updated and sends out daily reminders for us to click on the Krafts Mac n Cheese site to donate a box to fight hunger.
Beta hugs,
Dianne
OLB Rep
On Line Eta welcomed a brand new Beta Sigma Phi to the chapter - Angela and a transfee, Lucy. The chapter is excited about pledge training their 2nd new BSP member to the chapter. We are also excited to have Lucy! :)
Members - Rebecca and Alice took leaves of absence and hope to return later next year.
Social - Sisters wrote about memorable trips they took. Then, the chapter went on a virtual visit to their favorite country around the globe. Virtual Visits
Service - The chapter is currently voting on adopting Share A Little Comfort for their 3rd service project on line. Marion suggested Free Flour Project Donation We currently click and give to the following projects: Hunger, Breast Cancer, Child Health, Literacy, Rainforest, Animal Rescue Click to Give and Free Rice
Beta hugs,
Karen
OLEta Rep
The Sisters of the OLK have been very busy since our last sharing report! It’s hard to believe that the Summer has gone by so quickly and we are now welcoming in the Fall! Our Chapter has welcomed new members, congratulated new mothers-to-be, moved across country, taken trips/vacations, visited family members, and chatted our way through to our upcoming meeting for September!
We have all received our new Chapter Yearbook for the 2009-2010 year ahead, which we are all thrilled with, and are getting ramped up to get our Chapter Book Club going again! Our members are very active and “chatty” throughout the entire month, so we truly enjoy our long-distance friendship and sisterhood! It’s amazing how women located from the East Coast to the West Coast of this fine country can become so close! Truly the meaning and purpose of BSP!
The paragraphs following contain our Program and Social from our August 2009 meeting. Enjoy as we have!
OLK Program – August 2009/Part I - Guam, Where America’s Day Begins
As the Vietnam War was ending, I was on the island of Guam for a 15-month tour. I was expecting it to be a vacation tour in the middle of the Pacific; however, within days we were on alert for the first wave of infants that were evacuated and then thousands of refugees were sent to camps in the US. When the "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communist_Party_of_Vietnam" \o "Communist Party of Vietnam" forces overran "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Vietnam" \o "South Vietnam" in 1975, Anderson Air Force Base provided emergency relief and shelter for thousands of "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnamese_people" \o "Vietnamese people" evacuees as a part of "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_New_Life" \o "Operation New Life" . After the fall of "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ho_Chi_Minh_City" \o "Ho Chi Minh City" , Andersen Air Force Base received almost 40,000 refugees and processed another 109,000 for onward transportation to the "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States" \o "United States" .
For most of my tour, I worked 12-hour shifts and spent many a night sacked out in the passenger terminal office. But on those rare occasions, I saw a beautiful island and historical places and battles of World War II. I can still remember going to Saipan and Truk and seeing the tanks under the clear water that now are home to beautiful tropical fish. I still think that the most beautiful, pristine beach in the world is on Anderson Air Force Base, Guam.
So, Hafa Adai, welcome to Guam, and let me take you on a trip to where American’s day begins! Hafa Adai (pronounced HALF A DAY) is "Hello" in Chamorro, the native language of Guam and the islands of the Northern Marianas. It's basically used the same way as the word "Aloha" in the Hawaiian Islands.
Guam was the only "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Discovery" \o "Age of Discovery" outpost in the Pacific Ocean beyond the "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines" \o "Philippines" , the regular stopping-place between "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico" \o "Mexico" and "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manila" \o "Manila" from 1565 to 1815, and (since Philippine independence) the farthest outpost of actual "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States" \o "United States" territory in the Pacific—is the biggest single segment of Micronesia, the largest island between Kyushu and New Guinea, between the Philippines and the Hawaiian Islands.
Guam is the largest of the Marianas, 30 miles (48 km) long and 9 miles (14 km) wide. The southern part of the island is mountainous, rising on Mt. Lamlam to 1,332 ft (406 m). The capital, "http://www.answers.com/topic/hag-t-a-guam" \t "_top" (Agaña), on the central W coast, is the seat of government, and Apra Harbor, a large U.S. naval base, is nearby. Andersen Air Force Base is in the north. The interior of the island is dense jungle; most of the villages are on the coast.
Guamanians are U.S. citizens but cannot vote in U.S. elections. Guam's permanent inhabitants are predominantly of native Chamorro (37%) or Filipino descent (26%); the rest of the population mainly consists of other Pacific Islanders, Caucasians, and other persons of Asian descent. The people are overwhelmingly Roman Catholic. English, Chamorro, and Philippine languages are the main languages; efforts to preserve the Chamorro language began in the 1990s. Some one fourth of the population consists of U.S. military personnel and their dependents.
Human artifacts dating from c.1500 B.C. have been found on Guam, but the first settlement may have occurred as much as 500 or more years earlier. Visited in 1521 by Ferdinand "http://www.answers.com/topic/ferdinand-magellan" \t "_top" , Guam was claimed and controlled by Spain until 1898, when it was taken by the United States in the "http://www.answers.com/topic/spanish-american-war" \t "_top" . After 1917, Guam, under the Dept. of the Navy, was governed by a naval officer who was advised by a local congress. Guam was captured by Japan in 1941, was retaken by U.S. forces in 1944, and became a major base for assaults on the Japanese mainland.
The "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allies_of_World_War_II" \o "Allies of World War II" plan for the invasion of the Marianas called for heavy preliminary bombardment, first by carrier aircraft and planes based in the "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshall_Islands" \o "Marshall Islands" to the east, then once air superiority was gained, close bombardment by battleships. Guam was chosen as a target because its large size made it suitable as a base for supporting the next stage of operations towards the "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines" \o "Philippines" , "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiwan" \o "Taiwan" and the "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryukyu_Islands" \o "Ryukyu Islands" ; the deep-water harbor at "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apra_Harbor" \o "Apra Harbor" was suitable for the largest ships; and the two airfields would be suitable for "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B-29_Superfortress" \o "B-29 Superfortress" bombers.
The "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Saipan" \o "Battle of Saipan" was scheduled for June 15, 1944, with landings on Guam tentatively set for June 18. The original timetable was optimistic. Stubborn resistance by the unexpectedly large garrison on Saipan, and a "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_A-Go" \o "Operation A-Go" led to the invasion of Guam being postponed for a month.
The Organic Act of 1950 transferred jurisdiction to the Dept. of the Interior. During the Vietnam War in the 1960s Guam was an important base for air assaults, and the island's military installations remain strategically important to the United States. In 1969 voters rejected unification with the Northern Marianas. Since 1970 the governor has been popularly elected. Guamanians voted in 1987 to seek commonwealth status from the United States. The president of the United States is the head of state. The government is headed by a governor, who is popularly elected for a four-year term and is eligible for a second term. Members of the unicameral 15-seat Legislature are popularly elected for two-year terms. Guam also is represented in the U.S. House of Representatives by an elected nonvoting delegate.
The U.S. dollar is the currency used in Guam.
Providing goods and services for the huge U.S. bases is the major industry. Tourism, especially from Japan, is also important, and the territorial government is a significant employer. There is some light industry, and Guam is an important transshipment center for Micronesia and other Pacific islands. Some inhabitants’ practice subsistence farming, but large-scale agriculture is no longer possible because military installations occupy so much land.
Commonly referred to as "America in Asia", Guam is a popular destination for Japanese tourists. It is a relatively short flight from Asia or Australia compared to "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaii" \o "Hawaii" . Although 90 percent of the tourists are Japanese, Guam receives over two million visitors with the vast majority of tourists coming from South Korea, Japan, Philippines, and "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiwan" \o "Taiwan" . Significant sources of revenue include "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duty-free" \o "Duty-free" designer shopping outlets, and the American-style malls. The tourism industry provides more than $500 million in annual revenues and more than 19,000 jobs.
The economy had been stable since 2000 due to increased tourism, but took a recent downturn along with most of Asia. It is expected to stabilize well ahead of the U.S. Marine Corps' "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3rd_Marine_Expeditionary_Force" \o "3rd Marine Expeditionary Force" , currently in "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okinawa" \o "Okinawa" (approximately 8000 Marines, along with their 10,000 dependents), transfer to Guam between 2010–2014 but will cause an unprecedented 25% increase in the island's overall population. In 2003, Guam had a 14% unemployment rate, and the government suffered a $314 million shortfall.
Guam’s Apra Harbor, the largest natural deepwater port between Hawaii and Asia, formerly had served as a U.S. Navy ship repair facility and resupply depot. Today the Government of Guam operates the port for cargo, commercial fishing and as a tourist seaport. The Port of Guam is used as the transshipment and transportation hub of the Pacific Basin to the outlying islands. Saipan recently completed an expansion of their commercial port to help serve the growth of the tourism and manufacturing industries.
Two Lovers' Point, also known as Puntan Dos Amantes and forming the northern tip of Tumon Bay, is a must see attraction when visiting the island of Guam. Legend holds that a pair of star-crossed lovers whose parents would not allow them to marry tied their hair together and jumped to their deaths from this 378-foot cliff. Visitors have a splendid view from this point of the gleaming white-sand beaches and lush hillside along the Philippine Sea and in central Guam.
Many of Guam's most elegant hotels are situated on the strip of white sand bordering the sparkling aqua waters of "http://www.guamportal.com/bays/tumon_bay.html" . Guam's favorite playground is bordered at both ends by towering green cliffs. There are a number of public parks and beaches and in most areas, the reef in "http://www.guamportal.com/bays/tumon_bay.html" stretches out almost over a mile out into sea so the bay is sheltered from the ocean offering fun water activities.
Guam's Flag was designed by Mrs. Helen L. Paul, the wife of a US Naval Officer, in 1917. The Guam flag, officially adopted that same year, is deep blue with a red border, and features an oval representing an ancient Chamorro slingstone, a proa or sailing canoe, and a coconut palm silhouetted against Two Lover's Point.
A replica of the Statue of Liberty stands in the Paseo de Susana at the entrance of Hagatna harbor and visible to boats approaching the harbor. The statue represents the same thing it does in the United States - freedom and liberty, with justice for all. Donated in 1950, the statue served as a nationwide symbol to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Boy Scouts, but wear and tear called for a replacement statute. Significantly smaller in scale than the one standing at New York's Ellis Island, Lady Liberty is located in an area that's naturally beautiful. Flanked by trees and protected by boulders that sit at the edge of the harbor area, the area surrounding the Statue of Liberty is a popular spot for visitors and locals alike. The statue was replaced in October 2005 by an impressive solid white jade version, courtesy of Tiffany and Co., and Landscape Management Systems. The 1,200 pound statue standing over eight feet high was carved from solid white jade originating in China. Year round maintenance of the statue will be conducted by the Boy Scouts of America, Aloha Council Chamorro District, Guam and by the Guam Girl Scouts, Inc., as part of the Scout’s merit badge program.
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Latte_stones_in_Hagatna.jpg" \o "Latte stone set on Guam"
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Latte_stones_in_Hagatna.jpg" \o "Enlarge"
The "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latte_stone" \o "Latte stone" (pictured above) are familiar to Guam residents and visitors alike. The enduring latte are found in coastal areas and in river valleys. The latte are the prominent remnants of the earlier Chamorro culture of the Mariana Islands. Each latte is comprised of two stones shaped out of limestone. The shaft stone placed on the ground is the haligi, and the cap stone is the tasa. The latte were placed in parallel rows, consisting of three to seven latte per row. Latte vary in height from less than one meter to six meters.
The latte were constructed by the Chamorros, from 1100 to 1700 A.D. Principally found on the islands of "http://www.guamportal.com" , Rota, Tinian, and Saipan, latte were used as the foundations of important structures in Chamorro villages. Their use in the Chamorro culture vanished when the Spanish devastated the islands in the 1600s.
Because of Guam's geographical location, a generally favorable tropical climate prevails throughout the year. The island enjoys only two major seasons: the "dry season" which begins in the cool month of December through the mid summer month of June. The "wet or rainy season" follows thereafter. Temperature throughout the year generally fluctuates between the 70s and 90s. The summer months of May and June are the warmest while December is the coolest. Guam rainfall averages 100 inches per year.
Guam was devastated by typhoons in 1976 and 1992 and suffered a severe earthquake in 1993. I was on Guam during typhoon Pamela in 1976. Due to leave the island in a few days, I moved into base quarters and during the typhoon, I witnessed the wind and rain break the bathroom window, force the door open and then take everything in the room including the door, rug, bed, sofa, chairs, tables and clothes out the large picture window and over the railing. I was wet and still sitting on a chair in the corner of the room. It was nearly a week before we could clear the runway, bring in emergency supplies and finally fly back to the states.
And as I close this program, here is the answer to a trivia question why Guam’s slogan “where America’s Day Begins.” Because Guam is located on the other side of the International Date Line in contrast to the rest of the United States it is one day ahead of the rest of the United States. So America’s day does begin on Guam. The time zone Guam is located in is GMT +10:00.
Hafa Adai.
OLK Program – August 2009/Part II - Foods of Guam
The food on Guam is an amazing combo of the island culture: Guamanian/ Chamorro, Spanish, and Filipino food.
"The one thing that stood out the most for me was the "FIESTAS." The word itself is like a magnet. It attracts people from all over the island to enjoy authentic Chamorro dishes. These were the biggest celebrations all over the island for birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions. There was enough food to last for days including a pig. When I was on Guam, it was considered an insult if you did not stop by and join in.
Guam Chicken Lemon Salad (Variations: Use shrimp or beef)
1 whole chicken, cooked, cooled, and deboned
1/2 C finely chopped red onion
4-6 lemons, juiced
1/2 t dried red pepper flakes (or cayenne to taste)
1/2 t salt, or to taste
1/2 C grated fresh coconut (you can substitute flaked baking coconut if that’s all you have — the hint of sweetness doesn’t hurt the salad at all)
1/4 C chopped green onion
Mix all ingredients, chill, and garnish with slices of lemon.
Serve with rice, tortillas, or crackers.
Lumpia
· 3 cloves garlic, minced
· 1 cup chopped onions
· 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
· 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
· 1 tablespoon soy sauce
· 1 cup water
· 1/2 cup diced carrots
· 1/2 cup green beans, French cut
· 1/2 cup diced celery
· 1 (10 ounce) can bamboo shoots, julienned
· 1 (8 ounce) can water chestnuts, drained and julienned
· 1/2 cup bean sprouts
· 1 (16 ounce) package egg roll wrappers
· 1 quart vegetable oil for frying
1. In a wok or skillet, saute the garlic and onions in hot oil until the onions are translucent. Add the pepper and soy sauce and saute further.
2. Drain the excess oil, add the water and bring to a boil. Add the carrots and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the green beans, celery, bamboo shoots, water and chestnuts. Simmer for another 5 minutes. Remove the pan from heat and add the bean sprouts. Cool to room temperature.
3. Place three heaping tablespoons of the filling diagonally near one corner of each wrapper, leaving a 1 1/2 inch space at both ends. Fold the side along the length of the filling over the filling, tuck in both ends, and roll neatly. Keep the roll tight as you assemble. Moisten the other side of the wrapper with water to seal the edge. Cover the rolls with plastic wrap to retain moisture.
4. Heat a wok over medium heat, add oil to 1/2 inch depth, and heat for 5 minutes. Place 3 or 4 egg rolls in the oil, gently. Fry the rolls until all sides are golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve immediately
Pancit
· 1 (8 ounce) package thin rice noodles
· 1/2 pound skinless, boneless chicken legs, cut into bite-size pieces
· 1/2 pound pork tenderloin, cut into bite-size pieces
· 1/2 cup soy sauce
· ground black pepper to taste
· 1/2 medium head cabbage, shredded
· 2 carrots, shredded
· 2 green onions, chopped into 1 inch pieces
· 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
1. Place the rice noodles in a large bowl, and cover with warm water. When soft, cut into 4 inch lengths, drain, and set aside.
2. In a skillet over medium heat, brown the chicken and pork until no pink shows. Season with soy sauce and pepper. Remove from skillet and set aside. Saute the cabbage and carrots until tender. Stir in the noodles, green onions and shrimp. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stir in the chicken and pork, and cook for 5 more minutes.
Coconut Soup (An simple soup with an exotic taste!)
· beef soup bones
· 2 carrots quartered
· 2 stalks celery quartered
· 1/2 small onion quartered
· 2 or 3 sprigs parsley
· corn flour as needed
· 1 tsp. curry powder 1 small can coconut milk
Boil the soup bones 30 minutes in 6 cups of water. Add carrots, celery, onion and parsley and cook another 30 minutes at medium heat. Thicken with corn flour and strain. You may wish to cool and remove any fat. Mix curry powder with a small amount of cold water. Bring soup back to a boil. Remove from heat and add coconut milk and curry. Do not let soup boil after adding milk or it will curdle. Makes 6 servings.
Chicken Kelaguen
The Marinade This stuff is called "finidini." (Four syllables, not two, with short vowels.) Mix a cup of soy sauce with a cup of lemon juice (lime juice or a good vinegar will also do). Add a large, finely chopped onion and an equal volume of fresh, hot red peppers. Let this sit for a few days in your refrigerator. Finidini is wonderful. It is good for marinating meat, making pickles, or just as a sauce at the table.
Marinate the equivalent of a whole chicken (one fryer, or an equivalent weight of chicken parts) in finidini overnight. Grill the chicken until it is just done, basting frequently with finidini. When the chicken cools, bone and shred it, and store in the refrigerator.
Fresh coconut--there should be lots of liquid sloshing inside. Open the coconut and discard the liquid. Grate the entire coconut. When the coconut is grated, pick it up in handfuls, and squeeze each handful over a bowl. A thick white liquid will squeeze out of the coconut meat; this is the real coconut milk. When you have milked all the coconut, mix the milk with an equal amount of lemon juice, then cover and chill.
Mixing the Kelaguen Finely chop three or four green onions, and also a small handful of fresh, hot red peppers. Mix the onion, peppers, coconut, and chicken. Pour the coconut milk and lemon juice slowly into the mixture, stirring well.
On Guam, chicken kelaguen is served on tortillas made with the seeds of a local palm tree. The closest equivalent available in the U.S. would be pita bread, rather than Mexican tortillas
Coconut Rosette Chamoru Cookies
· 4 1/4 cups cornstarch
· 1 1/4 cups butter
· 2 cups all-purpose flour
· 2 cups white sugar
· 2 eggs
· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
· 1 teaspoon almond extract
· 2 cups shredded coconut
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease or line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream the butter with the sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, vanilla and almond extracts.
3. Add the cornstarch, flour and finely grated coconut. Mix until blended and smooth.
4. Make small balls about 1inch in diameter, then roll on floured board into a 7 inch long strip. Twist into a figure eight. Place cookies on the prepared baking sheets.
5. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 20 minutes. Remove from cookie sheets and let cool. May be drizzled with melted chocolate, if desired.
Chocolate Rice (Eat on a cold day)
· 3 cups of uncooked rice
· 4 cups of water
· 1 cup of cocoa powder
· 1/2 cup of sugar
Wash rice and place in a medium sized pot with water, over medium heat. Let steam, then add cocoa and stir. Add sugar, stir again and let sit over high heat for 30 minutes. Then remove and serve. Makes 10 servings.
Recipe for Happiness
I have a little recipe that isn’t hard to make,
But you must always start as soon as you awake.
Take a great, big mixing bowl and fill it with a smile;
Mix half a cup of sunshine with good deeds all the while.
Add a pinch of work and play, a pinch of thoughtfulness and care,
But don’t bake it in the oven – just spread it everywhere.
OLK Social – August 2009
Sisters, today we are going to take a short trip out to see the Butte Creek Grist Mill at Eagle Point, Oregon. I hope that you will enjoy the trip. As we go along we will stop first at the oldest home west of the Mississippi. It was built in 1870. When I moved her a little over 12 years ago the place was nearly ready to fall down and then a group of citizens got together and decided that the place should be strengthened, so everyone could enjoy it. The put a new 'skeleton' on the inside plus some other barely noticeable repairs to straighten it's sagging walls. Oh, there it is...with it's trees and flowers and a few old antiques around the yard to show the realism of the times. At night there are lights shining on the place so that it is plainly seen from the highway. This house was built by Sylvester Wood in 1870. But let's not linger too long as we want to get on to the grist mill. As some of you may know already, Carrie, Nancy, Dean Ann and I came out to see the mill at our first "Gathering" held at Carrie's. Oh look, there is Dean Ann, Carrie, and Nancy waiting outside of the Mill for us now. It is located on Butte Creek right in the middle of town. We had to come in more than one car so let's go in and see who else is here. Oh, hi Bonnie, and Brenda T. they are showing us some of the antiques on the inside just as you go in. From where Bonnie (on the left) is standing there is a little room where the grist stones are and that is where they grind all kinds of things like wheat flour, cornmeal, barley etc.
After you have each had an opportunity to view the short video on how the mill works and it's history, we will go inside the little "store" in the next room. Some of you may wish to go downstairs to see the antiques and other workings of the millstones. The stones were brought here over 130 years ago and are the original stones.
While some are doing that others of us will go through the store. As we go through the door we will go to the left and pass the cooler where the fresh ground flours and mixes are kept. They have their own brand of Buckwheat pancake mix, scone mix, and other goodies. The room is kind of a rectangular room with a set of shelves in the middles with many, many items, teas, trail mix, nuts and so much to see. Don't forget to look up at the antiques that are placed high on the shelves.
There is a wire book stand with books for sale about Oregon 's settlers, outlaws, and scenic places. On a shelf is some enamelware bowls, spice grinders, loaf pans, shakers for spices or salt & pepper, and baskets of many unusual items. There are the honey jars, syrup (does anyone remember the old log cabin syrup tin there is one very similar). In the corner are some items for serving wine and even some bottles of wine from the local area. There are some postcards with pictures of the Mill, and some of the local covered bridges. Next against the outer wall is a pot-bellied stove of cast iron with some cast iron pans for corn muffins, and trivets, etc. hanging on the wall behind it. Behind us on the center shelves are the packages of beans, barley, black eyed peas, popcorn, confetti soup mix lima beans. Well, you can't imagine some of the items they have.
As we approach the check-out counter we see a wall of gallon jars with all kinds of spices and on the counter are little packets of already filled 1/2 or 1 oz. amounts of spices. The lady behind the counter is one of the owners of the mill it was purchased by she and her husband in 2005 and they have added many of the antiques that we see placed on the shelves and on the walls.
At the front near where we entered is a corner where the gift boxes are that they make up for giving or sending to those we just have to buy for. So, while the others are going through, making purchases, or just enjoying the place I will take those who are through out and next door to the little (it too is small inside) Antique store that is also run by the owners of the mill. It has much to see and for those of us old enough to remember even some things that we knew of and saw when we were very small.
I hope that you enjoyed your visit. I know that some of our Sisters have already been here but it seems that every time I come there are new items and things to see. Oh I forgot to mention did you see the unique jam spoons and the measuring spoons with five (5) spoons, one for a drop, a smidgen, a pinch, a dash, and a tad! These are new since the time I was out here with the gals that were here with the NW Gathering '09. Thank you for joining me and if you are out our way we will be sure to visit here again.
Butte Creek Mill Eagle Point Oregon http://www.buttecreekmill.com
Respectively submitted,
Shelley
OLK Rep