
From My WindowIssue Date: November 7, 2019Jane Thibodeau Martin Gourmet Potatoes
I recently had an extended visit with a lifelong friend, and we spent a lot of time reminiscing about our childhoods. We both come from modest backgrounds, but agree that we had wonderful childhoods, full of the simple things in life that create the best memories.
Of course we talked about our six years of elementary school in a rural four-room schoolhouse, and our twice daily bus rides of 45 minutes each way. We passed this long ride playing cards with our friends Tim and Roger, and I only took off my mittens to deal the cards, because the bus was freezing cold in the winter. One of the best days ever was when our bus slowly and gracefully slid off the icy banked curve on Highway BB right into Marilyn and Al Dudka's front yard. Marilyn was kind enough to let all of us into her house, where she quickly whipped up some baked goods for us. When the relief bus came to get us, it too slid off the curve, much to our delight. Although Marilyn was probably was less thrilled with this development than we were, with a completely unexpected houseful of energetic kids. Her kindness to us is a fond memory of mine to this day.
But while we were talking, my friend asked, "Did your Dad cook potatoes in some kind of underground oven?"
Now I knew immediately what he was referring to, but I was stunned that he remembered such a small detail. He described going to Peshtigo Harbor with us, and some delicious potatoes that Dad produced after building a driftwood fire on the beach.
This small thing is one of my own fondest memories of my father. When Mom wanted to wax floors on the weekend, or just needed a break, Dad would load the kids and dog into the family Volkswagen Beetle. Winter or summer, it didn't matter. He brought along a paper sack with a dozen unwashed potatoes in it, a battered aluminum salt shaker, and a couple of sticks of butter. While the kids played on the drainage ditch ice or the summer beach at the harbor, he'd build a roaring fire and then put the potatoes directly into the embers. After a half-hour or so, he'd use a stick to extract what looked like black lumps of soot.
Those lumps were the potatoes, thoroughly charred on the outside, but baked perfectly on the inside. Once they cooled enough to peel, he'd whip out his jackknife, peel each of us a potato, and hand it to us, speckled with soot and maybe some beach sand. We got to rub the stick of butter over it and liberally apply salt from the shaker. The results, I can assure you, were amazing. Kids get hungry playing hard and some hot food, especially in the winter, really hit the spot. No pre-packaged sterile granola bars or fruit snacks for us " it was about 25 cents worth of potatoes, with the most delicious taste you can imagine. So good that my friend remembered it nearly 55 years later.
I treasured this conversation, and mulled it as I flew home. The best memories of our childhood are usually not the gift we got after wishing for it for months, the vacation trips or the birthday parties. It is simpler things, smaller things, things that may be quirky or unique to who we are, and where we come from.
Visiting my delightful granddaughter right after this trip, I reflected again on this lesson. What will she remember of me? I love buying her things, but she won't remember what I bought her. What she will remember most, and treasure, is memories of time together. So I must take care to play in the sand, encourage her interest in the outdoors, nurture her love and empathy for animals, read lots of books with her, and not worry too much about the things that don't matter.
When we picked up windfall pears from under the tree in her yard during my visit, we rubbed most of the dirt off on my jeans and ate them, unwashed and hardly sanitary. I hope she remembers that, as I will.
You can reach me for commentary, alternative viewpoints or ideas at this e-mail address: JanieTMartin@gmail.com.

Recent stories, opinions and photos
Issue Date |
Department |
Headline |
12-12-2019 | Front Page |
 Menor Retiring After 40 Years As Marinette County Court Reporter

|
12-12-2019 | |
 Menor Retiring After 40 Years As Marinette County Court Reporter

|
12-12-2019 | Front Page |
 County Board May Consider Weapons Protection Resolution

|
12-12-2019 | Front Page |
 DNR Holds Fourth Meeting In PFAS Listening Series

|
12-12-2019 | Front Page |
 Pound Fire Department To Help Decorate Village

|
12-12-2019 | Front Page |
 Middle Inlet Has Special, Regular Meets Dec. 12

|
12-12-2019 | Community - Coleman |
 Senior Citizen Holiday Dinner at Coleman Dec. 19

|
12-12-2019 | Community - Coleman |
 Coleman School Concerts, Host Seniors, Vacation

|
12-12-2019 | Community - Coleman |
 Coleman Election Officials Named For 2-Year Terms

|
12-12-2019 | Community - Coleman |
 Lena Man Charged In Fatal Crash Death

|
12-12-2019 | Community - Crivitz |
 Crivitz Church Free Dinner

|
12-12-2019 | Community - Crivitz |
 Crivitz Legion Auxiliary Hosts Two to Girls State

|
12-12-2019 | Community - Crivitz |
 Netzel-Zenz Annual Christmas Dinner Dec. 18

|
12-12-2019 | Community - Crivitz |
 Town Committee Discusses Cadet Program By-Laws

|
12-12-2019 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Country Gospel Jam is Dec. 20

|
12-12-2019 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Wausaukee Annual Holiday Light Competition Dec. 16

|
12-12-2019 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Grace Lutheran Church Virtual Bethlehem Dec. 13-14

|
12-12-2019 | Sports |
 Rangers Roll in Week of Wins

|
12-12-2019 | Sports |
 Peshtigo Girls Get on Winning Track With Victory Over Omro

|
12-12-2019 | Sports |
 Season is in Full"ˆSwing for Area Grapplers

|
12-12-2019 | Sports |
 Werner and Bieber Are Players of The Year

|
12-12-2019 | Perspectives |
 From Our Readers

|
12-12-2019 | Perspectives |
 From My Window

|
12-12-2019 | Perspectives |
 Country Cousin

|
12-12-2019 | |
 From My Window

|
12-12-2019 | Obituaries |
 Wayne Anderson

|
12-12-2019 | Obituaries |
 Donald A. Baeten

|
12-12-2019 | Obituaries |
 Donna L. Berman

|
12-12-2019 | Obituaries |
 Margaret M. Callies

|
12-12-2019 | Obituaries |
 Douglas Verle Conner

|
12-12-2019 | Obituaries |
 Edward Erickson

|
12-12-2019 | Obituaries |
 Ann L. Graebel

|
12-12-2019 | Obituaries |
 RoseAnn Hartman

|
12-12-2019 | Obituaries |
 Vincent W. Hayward

|
12-12-2019 | Obituaries |
 Lorraine C. Hoffman

|
12-12-2019 | Obituaries |
 Richard Hrupcin

|
12-12-2019 | Obituaries |
 Larry Kuchinski

|
12-12-2019 | Obituaries |
 Oscar Lentz

|
12-12-2019 | Obituaries |
 Fred R. Schacht

|
12-12-2019 | Obituaries |
 Edward Terlesky

|
12-12-2019 | Obituaries |
 Patricia Valley

|
12-05-2019 | Front Page |
 Occupants of Burning Home In Peshtigo Escape Safely

|
12-05-2019 | Front Page |
 Peshtigo Council Names Gardon New Fire Chief

|
12-05-2019 | Front Page |
 Middle Inlet Holds Special Meet To Increase Tax Levy

|
12-05-2019 | Front Page |
 Pound Village Tax Rate Drops $1 Per $1,000

|
12-05-2019 | Front Page |
 Menominee Co. Deputy Is Under Investigation for Sexual Conduct

|
12-05-2019 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Camp Daniel First in Christmas Parade

|
12-05-2019 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Lena Lions Welcome Lisa Misco as a New Member

|
12-05-2019 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Village Christmas in Park Goes from Dec. 1 - Jan. 5

|
12-05-2019 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Wagner Road Budget Up 30%, Tax Rate Down

|
12-05-2019 | Community - Crivitz |
 Legion Post Christmas Dinner on Dec. 18th

|
12-05-2019 | Community - Crivitz |
 Vintage Snowmobile Show in Middle Inlet

|
12-05-2019 | Community - Crivitz |
 Town of Lake Fire Dept. Holds Breakfast

|
12-05-2019 | Community - Crivitz |
 Christmas Cantata at Grace Lutheran Church

|
12-05-2019 | Community - Coleman |
 Bon Jovi Tribute at Equity Dec. 6, 7

|
12-05-2019 | Community - Coleman |
 HSHS St. Clare, St. Gianna Clinic Awarded Guardian of Excellence

|
12-05-2019 | Community - Coleman |
 Pedestrian Struck, Killed By Vehicle On Oconto County S

|
12-05-2019 | Community - Coleman |
 Lena Twin Brothers to Mark 100th Birthdays

|
12-05-2019 | Sports |
 Wausaukee Gets Jump Start on Season; Undefeated in Non-Conference Play

|
12-05-2019 | Sports |
 Peshtigo Takes Down Marinette in Season Opener

|
12-05-2019 | Sports |
 Wisconsin Concludes 168th Nine-Day Gun Deer Season

|
12-05-2019 | Sports |
 Beginner's Luck: Sure-Shot Florence Bags Her First Buck - At Age 104

|
12-05-2019 | Perspectives |
 From Our Readers

|
12-05-2019 | Perspectives |
 From My Window

|
12-05-2019 | Perspectives |
 Country Cousin

|
12-05-2019 | Obituaries |
 LuAnn Aspen

|
12-05-2019 | Obituaries |
 Reverend Donald R. Burkart

|
12-05-2019 | Obituaries |
 Judith R. Burkel

|
12-05-2019 | Obituaries |
 John S. Clark

|
12-05-2019 | Obituaries |
 William Hanson Sr.

|
12-05-2019 | Obituaries |
 Arlene D. Hunt

|
12-05-2019 | Obituaries |
 Jerris R. Freis

|
12-05-2019 | Obituaries |
 Gordon M. Johnson

|
12-05-2019 | Obituaries |
 Kathleen M. Kehoe

|
12-05-2019 | Obituaries |
 Gerald W. Kempka

|
12-05-2019 | Obituaries |
 Elaine M. Lewis

|
12-05-2019 | Obituaries |
 Rose V. Marcely

|
12-05-2019 | Obituaries |
 Joyce C. Miller

|
12-05-2019 | Obituaries |
 Patricia L. Olsen

|
12-05-2019 | Obituaries |
 Patricia A. Peterson

|
12-05-2019 | Obituaries |
 Robert E. Reichl Jr.

|
12-05-2019 | Obituaries |
 Roger J. Schroeder

|
12-05-2019 | Obituaries |
 Clyde E. Sebero

|
12-05-2019 | Obituaries |
 Angela M. Tanguay

|
12-05-2019 | Obituaries |
 Jeffrey Thibodeau

|
12-05-2019 | Obituaries |
 Henry Zane

|
11-27-2019 | Obituaries |
 Gerald Archambault

|
11-27-2019 | Obituaries |
 Michael H. Bartels

|
11-27-2019 | Obituaries |
 Robert F. Brisson

|
11-27-2019 | Obituaries |
 Leo A. Bugalski

|
11-27-2019 | Obituaries |
 Judith Fadroski

|
11-27-2019 | Obituaries |
 Glorian Goltz

|
11-27-2019 | Obituaries |
 Kristin H. Gromoske

|
11-27-2019 | Obituaries |
 Janet M. Grosso

|
11-27-2019 | Obituaries |
 Lyle R. Knowlton, Sr.

|
11-27-2019 | Obituaries |
 George R. Kobe

|
11-27-2019 | Obituaries |
 David A. Kortbein

|
11-27-2019 | Obituaries |
 Richard LaMack

|
11-27-2019 | Obituaries |
 Cleland Methner

|
11-27-2019 | Obituaries |
 Jayne Meyer

|
11-27-2019 | Obituaries |
 Judith E. Morse

|
11-27-2019 | Obituaries |
 Ronald G. Morton, Sr

|
11-27-2019 | Obituaries |
 Wendy L. Nault

|
11-27-2019 | Obituaries |
 Frederick C. Schuster

|
11-27-2019 | Sports |
 State Football Titles Won in Four Divisions Thursday

|
11-27-2019 | Sports |
 Sponsor Deer Carcass Dumpster Locations

|
11-27-2019 | Sports |
 Preliminary Nine-Day Deer Hunt Harvest Totals and License Sales Now Available

|
11-27-2019 | Sports |
 Wolverines Off to Nice Start; Win Two in Early Season Play

|
11-27-2019 | Perspectives |
 Country Cousin

|
11-27-2019 | Perspectives |
 From My Window

|
11-27-2019 | Perspectives |
 From our readers

|
11-27-2019 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Library Cookie Walk Dec.7th

|
11-27-2019 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Amberg Dinner, Holiday Parties

|
11-27-2019 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Athelstane To Pay Officials IRS Rate for Own Car Use

|
11-27-2019 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Amberg Legion Post Recognizes Namesakes

|
11-27-2019 | Community - Crivitz |
 Story of Jesus at Grace Lutheran

|
11-27-2019 | Community - Crivitz |
 Trevor Gauthier Accepted In Rural Medical Program

|
11-27-2019 | Community - Crivitz |
 Loomis Historical Party is Dec. 5th

|
11-27-2019 | Community - Crivitz |
 Craft, Vendor Sale at Crivitz Nov. 30

|
11-27-2019 | Community - Coleman |
 Oconto County Committee To Discuss Property Issues

|
11-27-2019 | Community - Coleman |
 Ladies Christmas Tea At Hillside Dec. 6th

|
11-27-2019 | Community - Coleman |
 Santa and Elves in Coleman Dec. 3rd

|
11-27-2019 | Community - Coleman |
 Coleman Wrestling Sign-Ups Dec. 3

|
11-27-2019 | Front Page |
 Vice President Promises More Ships For Marinette Marine

|
11-27-2019 | Front Page |
 Levy Limits Force Pound To Cut Budget By $15,868

|
11-27-2019 | Front Page |
 Gail Bantes Nominated for Favorite Crossing Guard

|
11-27-2019 | Front Page |
 Peshtigo Council To Name New Fire Chief On Dec. 3

|
11-27-2019 | Front Page |
 Positions Open For April 2020 Elections

|
11-21-2019 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Silver Cliff Fire, Rescue Christmas Party Dec. 9

|
11-21-2019 | Front Page |


|
11-21-2019 | Front Page |
 City, School Seek Grant For West Park Drive Safety Project

|
11-21-2019 | Front Page |
 Tempers Flare At Town Of Peshtigo Board Meeting

|
11-21-2019 | Front Page |
 Morrison Salutes Passing Of Bill To Add Court Branches

|
11-21-2019 | Front Page |
 Peshtigo Christmas Preparations Underway, Expect Grinch To Visit

|
11-21-2019 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Wausaukee Town Board Approved $798,158 Budget

|
11-21-2019 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Wausaukee Board Approves 2021 Spanish Club Trip

|
11-21-2019 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Niagara's Dunlap Finalist for First Responder for 2019

|
11-21-2019 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Florence County Adopts Second Amendment Sanctuary Status

|
11-21-2019 | Community - Crivitz |
 More Treatment for Marinette Co.

|
11-21-2019 | Community - Crivitz |
 Loomis Historical Christmas Party

|
11-21-2019 | Community - Crivitz |
 Offer New CPR Classes for 2020

|
11-21-2019 | Community - Crivitz |
 Craft, Vendor Sale at Crivitz Nov. 30

|
11-21-2019 | Community - Coleman |
 Pound Woman's Club Christmas Party Dec. 10

|
11-21-2019 | Community - Coleman |
 OF Church Collection Site for Shoeboxes

|
11-21-2019 | Community - Coleman |
 3 Veterans Organizations Visit Oconto on Nov. 11th

|
11-21-2019 | Community - Coleman |
 Scholarship Fundraiser at Wabeno Dec. 14th

|
11-21-2019 | Perspectives |
 From Our Readers

|
11-21-2019 | Perspectives |
 Country Cousin

|
11-21-2019 | Perspectives |
 From My Window

|
11-21-2019 | Sports |
 2019-20 Girls Basketball Season Gets Underway

|
|
|
| |
|