Recipes and pictures needed for new cookbook
ASHS Column for 5 3 07
Margaret Collier

     Those of you who did
not attend the big Birth-
day Bash in the James
Houston Jones Historical
Park on the 21st missed
a great opportunity to
enjoy a day together in
perfect weather. In the
light of the horrendous
events of the preceding
week, this was a special
way to be at peace in
the beautiful Park setting.
     Of course there was
more to do than just sit
around soaking up the sun.
The entertainment lineup
this year was the best
yet. The mixture of
instrumentalists, vocal-
ists,and dancers had some-
thing for everybody. We
do thank each and every
group that appeared and
made the day so pleasant.
     When not taking in
the entertainment there
were beautifully restored
antique cars, Indian arti-
facts, Civil War artifacts,
a salt pan, old tools, and
a Confederate camp to
capture our interest. New
in the vendor list this
year was a fine jewelry
booth. Kevin McKinley, and
others, had their latest
books to sell. They were
also commemorating the
200th birthday of Robert
E. Lee, as well as other
Confederate History and
Heritage throughout the
month of April.
     Of course, your Society also had our books, ornaments, throws and other items to sell. AND, speaking of books, we have to emphasize that the second printing of A Sawmill Scrapbook I, is now available for $25.00. Many of you have
not been able to complete your set of all 4, so now is the time. This second printing is much improved in that a table of contents, an index, and numbered pages have been added - plus the column format and a few new pictures make for easier reading for those of us who have tired eyes. It is also bound with a plastic ring binder which makes it much more manageable. Trust me, you'll really like this. I can speak personally. Yes, I still have the original numbered, autographed copy from way back when, but I like the new one for a reference copy. It saves wear and tear on the original.
     Also, on the subject of books, Sandy and Don are still collecting the pictures and anecdotes for the special cookbook that is in the works. There is no shortage of recipes, but they really want you to dig around in the old albums, find those photos that have to do with family food - gathering, eating, planting, blessing or whatever, and get them to Sandy and Don to be copied.
     An example is a picture to go with the recipe for mayhaw jelly. We have been invited to gather some mayhaws that are now ripe, so we plan to don an old bonnet, carry a white oak split basket and sally forth to get a picture and a story. (Now doesn't that make you want to order a book?)
     On the 24th Don Sales, Jerry S. and I went on a field trip with our sister society, the Escambia County Historical Society, of Brewton. This trip was to Keego, once known as Herrington Springs. If you will turn to pages 159 and 160 in your "A Pictorial History" book you will find a short, but interesting history of the resort town and the sulphur-and-iron spring that made the place a Mecca for folks with skin and blood diseases and various other ailments.
     Read the account and admire the pictures because there is very little left to remind us of what was once quite a thriving area. Of course, we enjoyed hearing the account from Mr. Bob Martin who still has an interest in the brickyard at Keego which is just up the road a piece from the cypress pond that the old Martin home overlooks.
     We thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Martin's account of the history of the hotel, spring, and the brickyard, plus the delightful tea cakes and lemonade served inside the old home place by Mrs. Martin and other family members. What a fine way to spend a glorious spring day!
     By the time you read this, Jerry Fischer will have had his surgery to remove the cancer-ridden parts of his anatomy (The surgery was postponed until May 7). Hopefully, all will have gone well and he will be on the road to recovery. Jerry Jr.'s surgery is scheduled for May 8. Our prayers and good wishes are with both families as they face these serious surgeries and painful recoveries. Hopefully, the various Relays for Life, in the area, will all have been generously supported!