Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
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WAITSBURG - The Royal Block Reading Series welcomes author and mindfulness leader Kurt Hoelting, who will share reflections from his recent Zen Peace Ritual in Kyiv, Ukraine, and read from his book "The Circumference of Home" at the Royal Block in Waitsburg on November 25, 2023, at 6:30 p.m.. Admission is free and open to the public (21+). From July 2 to 9, 2023, Hoelting was among six people who committed to spending 24 hours a day together - two Ukrainians, two Poles, and two Americans -...
Waitsburg - The Royal Block Reading Series will welcome poets Paul Nelson, Adelia MacWilliam, Dr. Jason Wirth, and Sharon Thesen for readings in Waitsburg on November 24, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. Admission for the reading will be free to the public (21+). This event will celebrate Cascadia Poetics Lab's release of its poetry anthology "Cascadian Zen Vol. I", featuring work from distinguished artists and authors throughout the Cascadia bioregion, published by Watershed Press. Work in the anthology...
This unique blend is sourced from vineyards near the Dalles, far enough east to be outside the Columbia Gorge AVA, but in the slim slice of the vast Columbia Valley AVA that crosses the river into Oregon. This is a generous and versatile red blend, roughly half Merlot and half Zinfandel, with flavors of red currants, strawberries and peppery herbs. Despite its youth there are no rough edges, and the tannins have a gentle graininess that adds some texture to the finish. Note that the website...
The other day, while Daniel and I were about to walk out onto the deck, Mugsy went a little crazy, whining and scratching at the door jam. Daniel said, “There must be a mouse or rat in the wall.” My stomach turned, not because I was afraid of rodents but because the idea of one being in the wall was upsetting. Daniel set traps in the pantry; the following day, it was trapped, snapped, and dead. Our gourmet mouse went for the brie cheese, and it paid the price. So far, it seems one and done—no tr...
Ten Years Ago November 21, 2013 At 4:30 p.m. on a wet and windy Thursday afternoon, about a dozen students – from Kindergarten through 8th Grade – are warm and cozy at The Cardinal's Nest, engaged in constructive pursuits as they await the arrival of their parents. The Nest – Waitsburg's after-school program – is not only a sanctuary for students, but provides employment to area residents as well. The program began in 2003 when Executive Director Kathy Carpenter applied for and received a five-...
Sometimes, when researching for this column, I like to search through my vintage cookbook collection for inspiration. It can be amusing, and sometimes a little frightening, to imagine what home cooks were putting on the table 60 or 70 years ago: So much JELLO. However, there are some homey favorites that deserve a fresh look, like this recipe for tender Salisbury Steak, smothered in a rich mushroom gravy. While some may only imagine the compartments of TV dinner trays, this updated version...
I've had a lot of time to rest and heal following a traumatic injury. After a while, it gets hard to rest unless you can keep your mind occupied. One bed-rest activity I found is a computer adventure platform game called "Gris." It was released in 2018 by Spain's Nomada Studio. The name "Gris," Spanish for gray, is the name of the character you inhabit throughout the game. I typically don't have time for gaming besides the occasional Sudoku or crossword while waiting in a doctor's office. The...
Occasionally, when I sit down to write this column, I feel like I'm having a panic attack, which I attribute to writer's block. I sit at my computer and stare into space or at an empty screen. I try to force my mind to daydream, come up with ideas, or find inspiration. This time of year, it is difficult without a garden to moan or boast about. I usually wind up playing a rousing game of solitaire. A few years ago, this newspaper's editor (owner, publisher) gave me a bottle of Scotch called...
Winemaker Chris Dowsett has a personal passion for Gewürztraminer – not a grape that gets a whole lot of love from most drinkers. But here's the thing - a dry Gewürztraminer is a perfect Thanksgiving wine, and this fits the bill in every way. I loved it enough to include it on my Best of the Year post a couple of weeks ago, and Chris has actually lowered the price since then. The Celilo vineyard in the Columbia Gorge has long been a secret source for this grape for a handful of savvy win...
Ten Years Ago November 14, 2013 [Photo Caption] The Waitsburg Historical Society has been applying for grants to help fund the replacement of an unreliable HVAC system in the Wilson-Phillips house. To date, they have received a $1000 grant from the Earl and Lucille Blake Endowment Fund and a grant for $2,875 from the Pacific Power Foundation. Together, the two grants pay for nearly half the cost of a new system which will allow the society to keep the facilities open for board meetings and...
In a flash another holiday season has arrived, the time of year where gatherings are increasingly centered around a warm kitchen. To prepare, I research and gather recipes throughout the year to add to my seasonal entertaining repertoire. Some of my favorites to collect are those for crowd-pleasing and unique appetizers. These English style sausage rolls, with plenty of savory herbal flavor, are perfect for dipping in a sweet and tart cranberry relish. Ingredients: For the relish: ½ can cranberr...
American 35 owners Tom and Judy Bennett, relaxed and happy on their trip through Portugal. We look forward to some inspired cocktails and featured pizzas on their return....
In March, my sisters and I took a basket weaving class at The Refinery in Walla Walla. At that time, I saw people using the pottery wheel, and in my Around the Valley article about our basket-weaving class, I said, "I can see the clay flying as I speak." On Saturday, October 28, we decided to give the pottery wheel a spin. Our instructor, Jess, met the sisters in the studio for a two-hour session. We signed up in September to reserve our spots, as only six pottery wheels exist. We took seats by...
We changed the clocks last night or officially at 2:00 a.m. Does anyone set their alarm at 2 to change their clocks and watches? I know I don’t. Thank goodness most things are automatic these days. I remember days gone by when it took at least an hour to change all the clocks, the VCR (remember those?), the answering machine, and my watch. This is the time of year we gain the hour we lost in Spring. But are we gaining an hour? It will still get darker earlier; the days will feel shorter, m...
Soos Creek's Dave Larsen sources Cabernet from some of Washington's A+ vineyards, and his sturdy, dense wines are built to age. But with this King Cab, he's given a special gift to less patient wine lovers. It's a single vineyard Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet at a supermarket price. The blend includes 15% Merlot, which helps to soften the tannins. There's an interesting sweetness here – not from fruit or sugar, but more like the sweetness of fine tobacco. This is a classic Washington Cabernet w...
Ten Years Ago November 7, 2013 On November 8, 1899, a 30-foot high arch draped in patriotic colors stood in the center of Waitsburg's Main Street. A bell – brought from the Philippines – hung from the center of the arch and was rung continuously by a boy dressed as Uncle Sam and a girl dressed as Columbia. A crowd welcomed home the soldiers of Waitsburg's Company K as they passed ceremonially beneath the arch before taking part in a town-wide celebration that included a banquet, fireworks, and a...
As with many famous Italian American recipes, the origins of Chicken Vesuvio are slightly shrouded in mystery. Named after Italy's infamous Mount Vesuvius, the dish shares many qualities to chicken preparations made around the Campania region for hundreds of years. Another possibility is that the recipe gets its name from Vesuvio, a famous restaurant in 1930s Chicago. Either way, it's clear to see why this homey dish of crispy roasted chicken and potatoes in a lemon laced white wine sauce has...
Times reader J.L. DrouhardIn shared this Waitsburg School photo from November 1938. HIs mother-in-law, Roselle Collins, is the girl seated second from the left, bottom row. Found in her keepsakes, he thought readers could enjoy it now, as opposed to waiting 15 years to include it in the "100 Years Ago" in Pioneer Portraits....
Genie and Fred Crowe just returned from two weeks in Vietnam. "A Wonderful trip, lovely people, beautiful country, fantastic food.... Attached is a pic of us holding up the W Times, in front of the Temple of Literature in Hanoi," wrote Fred....
It's an utter fact, proven time and again, particularly in a state like Washington: wild birds in the vest are won with "boot leather," so to speak. Even in a spectacular wild bird year, by December, pheasants are scarce in the public covers of the Palouse. Private lands with the right mix of food and cover harbor dozens of pheasants as they congregate during cold weather. But rest assured, the remainder of the roosters are seasoned escape artists, skittish as hell and alive, thanks to their...
King Estate was founded specifically to grow and produce Pinot Gris. Now entirely biodynamic, the winery has grown to become one of Oregon's most diverse and influential. Pinot Gris remains a strong suit, with up to seven different versions in a single vintage – probably as much as the rest of Oregon combined. It's almost iconic, with full, fleshy pear fruit, buoyant acids, and a mouth-pleasing texture. Green apple, cucumber, and grapefruit highlights follow. This is the most widely available b...
Ten Years Ago October 31, 2013 In spite of the defection of the opposing team's coach to their team, the WP Alumni Team was no match for the Lady Cards at Thursday night's Homecoming game. Youth won out over experience with the younger ladies winning the game in a three-set match. Spirits were high as fans – some unsure of which team to root for – filled the bleachers. The flag was lowered, and Mikala Deruwe transfixed the crowd by singing a stirring rendition of the National Anthem. Amidst che...
An abrupt change in the season arrived this past week and with it our first hard frost. Since then, all I have wanted to do is wear sweaters, listen to true-crime podcasts, and gently simmer things on the stove. Ah, fall. Braised in a rich wine broth spiced with cloves and fresh herbs, this tender beef stew is a perfect warm-up on a cold autumn night. Easy to prepare, this recipe is delightful both for a cozy family supper or an elegant dinner party to impress. Ingredients: 4 pounds lean,...
