Country Cousin

Hi Folks!

Ah, summer! We wait all winter for it to get here, then complain like crazy because it’s hot. Nonetheless, we’ve had a lot to complain about in the last week or three here in TIMESland, what with some days - like the Fourth of July - breaking all time records for our area.

Ironically, called my brother in Arizona on Wisconsin’s sweltering, sticky sunny July 3, and was told they were enjoying an extremely rare rainy day, and their temperature was lower than ours. Go figure!

But to be fair, we who couldn’t sleep because of the heat during the first few days and nights of July were treated to an incredibly beautiful full moon, particularly those of us lucky enough to view it framed in the towering pines of the north woods.

We’ve had rains that Wisconsinites to the south did not have, and now the weather has moderated to the most glorious days and nights that Wisconsin has to offer.

FUN, FUN, FUN!

The Fourth of July may be over, but summer fun in Times-land is not!

The City of Marinette first-ever Logging and Heritage Fest, intended to become an annual event, starts Friday, July 13, with a “Puss In Boots” movie for kids on Stephenson Island, and then blossoms into a full blown festival starting with a 10 a.m. parade on Saturday and ending with fireworks after dusk on Sunday, July 15. Events include live music, clowns, bike and car show, carriage rides, and performances of the TimberWorks Lumberjack Show.

Most of the activities are centered on Stephenson Island, where the Logging Museum will also be open to remind everyone that this area’s roots extend deep into the forests of northeastern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Incidentally, the once cutover lands left by the lumber barons of a prior century have mostly been regrown and despite regular harvests there are more trees in Marinette County today than there were 100 years ago.

There are concerts in the park coming up in Wausaukee, Peshtigo and Marinette, ski team performances at Twin Bridge and Lake Noquebay, and river rafting and tubing adventures for folks of all ages and skill levels, not to mention flea markets, farmers’ markets, and even a garden walk in Marinette on Friday, July 13 and Saturday, July 14.

Get out and have some fun. The days may be long, but the season is short!

BAKING SODA

Ever wonder where that lowly, inexpensive substance known as baking soda comes from...other than that orange and black box on the pantry shelf, or in the refrigerator doing one of the many jobs we assign to it?

Discovered recently that baking soda, otherwise known as sodium bicarbonate, can be made through a couple of chemical processes involving heat and common table salt, but most of it today comes from refining trona ore. Trona ore is a hard, crystalline material found mainly along a 600-square-mile deposit in the Green River Basin of Wyoming. Despite the many uses of baking soda, the supply of ore there is said to be large enough to meet the entire world’s needs for thousands of years.

MULTIPLE USES

The uses of inexpensive Baking Soda are indeed amazing. Use it to leaven baking soda biscuits, and then to clean your teeth after eating them, or stir a pinch into a glass of water to settle your stomach if you’ve eaten too many.

PERSONAL GROOMING

For an inexpensive facial scrub mix baking soda with oatmeal, lemon juice, orange juice or honey for a home made face mask to cleanse and/or moisturize. Mixed with honey the mask moisturizes, and mixed with it is a mild exfoliant.

For a stronger exfoliant, mix baking soda with water to form a paste. Spread on your body wherever you would like to exfoliate. After 10 minutes or so, rinse it off. Better yet, run a warm bath and rinse off in the tub so your entire body benefits from the soothing and skin softening effects of the baking soda.

A paste of baking soda and water dabbed onto acne spots helps dry them up so they go away. Ditto for bee stings and bug bites.

To calm itchy or burning skin, make a paste of baking soda and water, then apply to the affected area. Allow to sit for five to 15 minutes, depending on your skin’s sensitivity, then wipe away with a damp cloth, or as above, rinse off in a tepid bath and enjoy the full effects of a baking soda bath.

Sprinkle baking soda onto your toothbrush and then brush normally for whiter teeth and fresh breath. For an inexpensive mouthwash, mix two teaspoons of baking soda with one cup of water.

Skip the expense and chemicals of store-bought shampoo by making your own. Mix one tablespoon of baking soda for every eight ounces of water, and put in a bottle of your choice. Shake until thoroughly mixed, then use in place of your regular shampoo.

Sprinkle some soda onto the carpet and scatter it around before vacuuming to banish the odors that sometimes form there on hot, muggy days. Or use the powder on a damp cloth to scour the sink.

If you could have only one cleansing and beautifying product in your household, it should be baking soda.

And of course, don’t forget that baking soda is the leavening ingredient in baking soda biscuits, Toll House cookies, and many cake and pancake recipes. It’s also the main ingredient in baking powder, but go ahead and buy that instead of trying to make your own.

ON THE SOAP BOX

BAD MEDICINE

Must agree with the sentiments of U.S. Rep. Dan Benishek of Crystal Falls, Mich., that Obama Care may have been declared constitutional by the United States Supreme Court, but it still is bad medicine. And he, being a surgeon by profession, should know.

Also was ready to pummel Chief Justice John Roberts for what has been perceived as a betrayal of the conservative cause when he cast his vote with the majority decision finding the controversial law constitutional. Then read a letter supposedly written by Richard Bolen, a South Carolina attorney, who found powerful reasons to praise Roberts’ vote and the decision he wrote to go with it.

The Supreme Court also ruled, 7 to 2, that states cannot be punished for not expanding Medicare as required in Obama Care.

The decision included a 9 to 0 finding that Obama Care is unconstitutional under the Commerce Clause, and also under the “necessary and proper” clause, but is Constitutional as a “tax,” a term Obama and friends had studiously avoided using. Now they have to admit that mandatory purchase of insurance, with a penalty for failure to comply, is indeed a tax, no matter how they try to sugar coat it. That means, as a tax, if the Republicans gain a mere majority in the Senate they can vote to repeal Obama Care entirely.

And that’s a good idea. As more than a few intelligent individuals have stated, simply because a law has been found to not violate the Constitution doesn’t make it a good law.

POLKA TIME

Remember the days when Wausaukee polka king Whoopee Norm Edlebeck and his Dairyland Dutchmen band were regularly featured at night spots and on radio shows in TIMESland and other parts of Wisconsin?

He’s now retired and living in Minnesota, but will be in the area this weekend for the 55th reunion of his Wausaukee High School graduating class on Sunday, July 15.

Says his music is still available on CD and is played five times a day on WRJOradio.com.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Energizer Bunny has been arrested for battery.

A pessimist’s blood type is always B-negative.

A shotgun wedding is a case of wife or death.

The fellow fired his masseuse because she rubbed him the wrong way.

A man’s home is his castle - in a manor of speaking.

COOKIN’ TIME

Summer and harvest times are moving along so quickly it’s hard to keep up. Asparagus time is done. The local strawberry harvest has come and gone. Raspberries are now ready, and blackberries won’t be far behind. Cabbage, onions, beets, zucchini and peppers are ready for picking in many gardens. Let’s reap the bounty while we can. Oops. Didn’t intend that pun, but indeed it is time to start canning.

RASPBERRY SALSA

Absolutely great with pork, chicken or turkey cooked on the grill! Maybe freeze or can some to serve with the Thanks-giving or Christmas turkey instead of cranberry sauce.

2 cups fresh raspberries

1/4 cup chopped sweet onion

3 teaspoons finely chopped jalapeno chili peppers

1 clove minced garlic

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/2 teaspoon white sugar

3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

In a medium bowl, mix together raspberries, sweet onion, jalapeno chile peppers, garlic, cilantro, white sugar and lime juice. Cover and chill in the refrigerator at least 1 hour before serving. This also can be frozen quite successfully. Quite certain it could be canned too, but haven’t tried that. Recipe makes 2 1/2 cups.

ZUCCHINI RELISH

This sweet relish has a flavor similar to Bread and Butter pickles, and the method for making it is quite similar too.

10 cups zucchini, unpeeled and shredded

4 cups onions, shredded

5 tablespoons canning salt

2 1/2 cups white vinegar

5 cups sugar

1 tablespoon dry mustard

1 tablespoon turmeric powder

1 tablespoon cornstarch

2 tablespoons celery seed

1 green pepper

1 red pepper

Shred zucchini, onions and peppers. Place in large bowl. Sprinkle with salt. Mix well and let stand overnight. Rinse vegetables three or four times and drain very well. Place the drained vegetables in a large pot and add all other ingredients. Boil for 30 minutes, stirring often. Pour into hot sterile jars, cap and place in hot water bath for 10 minutes.

BOUNTIFUL BURGER RELISH

3 cups ground onions

4 cups ground green tomatoes

6 ground sweet red peppers

4 cups green cabbage

12 ground green peppers

1/2 cup canning salt

1 tablespoon celery seed

1 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

4 cups cider vinegar

6 cups sugar

2 tablespoons mustard seed

2 cups water

Using your food processor grind up all the vegetables somewhat coarsely. In a large mixing bowl, combine and mix all the vegetables. Sprinkle with the canning salt and let stand overnight. Rinse several times and drain thoroughly. In a large pot, combine vegetables and all other ingredients. Heat to boiling point and simmer 5 minutes. Seal in hot sterilized jars, and process in a hot water bath for 10 minutes.

POTATO PACKET AU GRATIN

Grilling season continues, and we’re always seeking new treats to try. This is a great go-with for anything you cook on the grill, and so good you’ll probably make them in the oven when the winter winds blow.

4 medium red potatoes, sliced

2 medium onions, sliced

1 tablespoon fresh chives

1/3 cup milk

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 teaspoon salt

Healthy sprinkles of pepper

2 tablespoons butter

Butter the center of an 18-inch piece of heavy duty foil, and on it put the potato and onion slices. Top with everything else, ending with the butter. Pull the foil up and around the packet and seal with a “drug store fold”, which means a double or triple fold the long way, and then at least a double fold at each end. Place packet, seam side up, on grill five inches over medium heat, or in center of grill with coals circled around the outside. Cook 35 minutes, turning several times.

3, 2, 1 CAKE

Was recently lucky enough to be a guest of Reena White of Neopit and her brother, Gordy Jacobs of Crivitz for the Independence Day celebration at their family spot on Legend Lake near Keshena. She and her wonderful family prove there really never was a “Last of the Mohicans,” and hopefully there never will be.

Anyway, lots of folks who live alone never make themselves treats because all recipes make too much, and of course they’d eat it all anyway. Reena shared this incredibly easy cake recipe, so simple that even I can whip it up in about two minutes, start to finish, and it makes just one cupcake size cake at a time. Even the kids could make themselves a cake whenever they want it without destroying the kitchen. Far cheaper than the packaged varieties.

1 box angel food cake mix

1 box regular cake mix, any flavor

Dump the two kinds of cake mixes together in a gallon-size zipper type bag, seal securely and shake well to mix. Then, whenever you want a mini cake, spray a microwave safe dish with cooking spray, preferably the buttery flavored kind, and in it put 3 tablespoons of the mixed cake mixes. Add 2 tablespoons water and stir with a fork. Put into microwave and nuke for 1 minute, or just a little more, depending on your microwave. Doubted that this would work, but tried it and found the results very good indeed. Turn the little cake out onto a saucer and frost with canned frosting if you wish. Or you might want to mix up the batter and bake it in a cupcake paper to make it more readily portable.

Thought for the Week: “A government strong enough to give its people everything they need is also strong enough to take away everything they have.” Said first by Thomas Jefferson, not a current Tea party member.

(This column is written by Shirley Prudhomme, of Crivitz. Views expressed are her own and are in no way intended to be an official statement of the opinions of Peshtigo Times editors and publishers. The former Shirley Boivin, Prudhomme has Marinette County roots five generations deep. She grew up in the City of Marinette, attended Merryman Elementary School, graduated from Marinette Catholic Central High School, and has lived most of her life in Marinette County. She has more than 35 years experience reporting local political events, was an elected Marinette County Supervisor for 16 years, and remains a member of Marinette County Tourism Alliance. She may be contacted by phone at 715-927-5034 or by e-mail at shirleyprudhommechickadee@yahoo.com.)

COUNTRY COUSIN

Recent stories, opinions and photos

Issue Date	Department	Headline
05-22-2013	Front Page	Marinette Marine Dedicates New Construction Module
05-22-2013	Front Page	Bank Robbery Investigation Still Going On
05-22-2013	Front Page	Co. Law Enforcement Discusses 5-Year Plan
05-22-2013	Front Page	21 Years In Prison In Fatal Car Crash
05-22-2013	Front Page	Criminal Justice Discusses Prevention/Treatment Issues
05-22-2013	Sports	Cougars (15-1) Head Into Playoffs On Winning Note
05-22-2013	Sports	Lena’s Huberty Heads To Nationals;Qualifies For 2
05-22-2013	Sports	Marinette Boys Claim 5 Golds, Peshtigo Girls Register A Pair
05-22-2013	Sports	Suring Sweeps Regional Honors
05-22-2013	Perspectives	From our readers
05-22-2013	Perspectives	Tales from the old-timer
05-22-2013	Perspectives	Country Cousin
05-22-2013	News	Goodman Legion Memorial Plans
05-22-2013	News	Benefit Ride June 8 for Late Trish Waschbisch
05-22-2013	News	Area Students Earn UW-Milwaukee Degrees
05-22-2013	News	Area Students on Dean’s List
05-22-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Athelstane Fund Raiser is July 13
05-22-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Church Weekend Rummage, Bake Sale
05-22-2013	Community - Wausaukee	SC Fire, Rescue Picnic is Aug. 10
05-22-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Legion Post 66 List Memorial Weekend Plans
05-22-2013	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Wolverine 5K Run, Walk June 1
05-22-2013	Community - Crivitz	Loomis Historical Meeting June 6
05-22-2013	Community - Crivitz	Wear Poppy To Remember Those Who Sacrificed All
05-22-2013	Community - Crivitz	Witt Ford Announces Dealership Expansion Project
05-22-2013	Community - Coleman	Woman’s Club Plant Sale for Scholarships
05-22-2013	Community - Coleman	Abigail Panske; Abigail Gross
05-22-2013	Community - Coleman	Stellmachers Have Girl
05-22-2013	Community - Coleman	Coleman School Presented Global Excellence Awards
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Frances L. Wood
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Harold J. Willette, Sr.
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Marilyn M. Werner
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Terese Lynn Trepanier
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Sally B. Swanson
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Florence A. Roggenbuck
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Donald A. Raymus
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Peter Orlando
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Glenn Maloney
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Doris J. Laitinen
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Robert E. Koutnik, Sr.
05-22-2013	Obituaries	John S. Kennedy
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Raymond D. Hoyum
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Mary Jane Hearley
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Jeffery D. Guay
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Robert W. Gaulke
05-22-2013	Obituaries	James Allen Erickson
05-22-2013	Obituaries	William W. England
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Helene R. Crawford
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Carol Clark
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Joyce Christensen
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Clara Boivin
05-22-2013	Obituaries	Dolores F. Berger
05-16-2013	Front Page	Mike, Anita Folgert Are Recipients Of Touhey Award
05-16-2013	Front Page	Predicts New Learning Center Will Be “A Shining Light” For Marinette Schools
05-16-2013	Front Page	Tourism Draws Millions For State, 4 County Area
05-16-2013	Front Page	Water & Sewer Committee Moves Ahead With Loan
05-16-2013	Front Page	Commend City Officer’s Work On Murder Case
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Lorna M. Techmeier
05-16-2013	Obituaries	James R. Schaut
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Nora E. Salewsky
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Ralph R. Runge
05-16-2013	Obituaries	James P. Reindl
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Uta Rasmussen
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Virginia Ellsworth Plier
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Ursula J. Peters
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Walter J. Moucha, Sr.
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Kasimir Melnyk
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Bernadette E. Meek
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Shirley Jean Johnson
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Julie N. Jeske
05-16-2013	Obituaries	George L. Hayden
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Patricia L. Gomber
05-16-2013	Obituaries	James A. Erickson,
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Frank M. Dudek
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Judith A. Carrillo
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Shirley Ann Bishop
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Donald M. Allard
05-16-2013	Sports	Marinette Golfers Win Menominee Meet; Bieberitz Is Medalist
05-16-2013	Sports	Track Regionals To Begin May 20
05-16-2013	Sports	Peshtigo Captures M-O Conference Crowns
05-16-2013	Sports	Coleman Finishes Perfect�Again!
05-16-2013	News	Set Babysitting Class for May 25
05-16-2013	News	Town Peshtigo Sets Cleanup Day
05-16-2013	News	Marinette Legion Brat Fry Dates
05-16-2013	News	Church Dinner, Auction May 19
05-16-2013	Perspectives	From our readers
05-16-2013	Perspectives	Tales from the old-timer
05-16-2013	Perspectives	Country Cousin
05-16-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Grand Germany Tour Sept. 15-24
05-16-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Blood Drive is June 10
05-16-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Memorial Services Slated May 27
05-16-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Students Help Plant Nursery Stock Trees
05-16-2013	Community - Crivitz	Jeff Diges Memorial Bike Run June 29, Hold Pool Tourney
05-16-2013	Community - Crivitz	TB Rescue Bake, Rummage Sale
05-16-2013	Community - Crivitz	Co. Elderly Golf Scramble July 12
05-16-2013	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Sister Cities Future On Line At May 22 Meeting
05-16-2013	Community - Coleman	Coleman High School Graduation is June 1
05-16-2013	Community - Coleman	2 Top Coleman Seniors
05-16-2013	Community - Coleman	Fine Art Nite at Coleman School
05-16-2013	Community - Coleman	Coleman Services for Memorial Day
05-08-2013	Front Page	Marinette Police Memorial To Officers Lost In Duty
05-08-2013	Front Page	City Adopts New Sewer Rates, Fire Dept. Fees
05-08-2013	Front Page	Co. Move Toward Medical Examiner Model Rejected
05-08-2013	Front Page	Centenarian Marks Birthday May 5th
05-08-2013	Front Page	Folgerts Chosen For Touhey Award Recipients
05-08-2013	Front Page	Million Dollar Bail Set In Homicide Case
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Irene Zoellner
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Lila V. Tippett
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Clarence E. Treptow
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Dennis L. Tachick
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Roger K. Schiefelbein
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Sharon A. Ronan
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Robert Ranallo, Sr.
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Jerry Rakowski
05-08-2013	Obituaries	James Prefontaine
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Spencer B. Patz
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Lila E. Miller
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Patricia Mathey
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Helen J. Lemery
05-08-2013	Obituaries	William H. Keller
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Alice Johnson
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Ronald Cedric Henning
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Algin T. Hendricksen
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Paul G. Grunwald
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Cheryl Lynn Gallo
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Gyneth Gadtzke
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Crystal Ann Gabriel
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Curtis P. Frank, Sr.
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Della A. DeStarkey
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Daniel P. Barney
05-08-2013	News	Girl Scout Carnival at Peshtigo June 2
05-08-2013	News	5th Annual EMS 5K Walk/Run
05-08-2013	News	Brazeau Annual Fundraiser July 27
05-08-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Wagner Board Meets May 14
05-08-2013	Community - Wausaukee	SC Fire, Rescue Auxiliary May 13
05-08-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Lions To Clean Hwy. 180 May 11
05-08-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Legion Post 66 Meeting May 11
05-08-2013	Community - Crivitz	CHS 5K Run/ Walk is June 1
05-08-2013	Community - Crivitz	Legion Trap 22
05-08-2013	Community - Crivitz	Middle Inlet Plans for Memorial Day
05-08-2013	Community - Crivitz	Middle Inlet Plans 33rd Annual Reunion
05-08-2013	Community - Coleman	Area Cadets at State Challenge Academy
05-08-2013	Community - Coleman	Parkway Ladies Start
05-08-2013	Community - Coleman	Comins Graduates Basic
05-08-2013	Community - Coleman	Graduates Basic
05-08-2013	Sports	Wausaukee Golfers Win 9-Hole M-O Tournament
05-08-2013	Sports	Bulldogs Grab M-O Lead
05-08-2013	Sports	Marines Shine At Home Invite
05-08-2013	Sports	Coleman Clinches M-O Title Share
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Patricia J. Waschbisch
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Bessie Riley