CUTLINE WITH ALASKA MAP:

Alaska Governor-elect Sarah Palin has plans to move the state capital from Juneau to Fairbanks. Juneau is considered the nation’s most inaccessible state capital.

Library fete fabulous

Westbrook’s Walker Memorial Library held its annual holiday open house Dec. 14, in the beautiful room, formerly the main reading room, in the original section of the building, built in 1894, with a fireplace with tile ornamentation, at one end of the room. The building’s architect was Frederick A. Thompson.

A table filled with cookies, brownies, cakes and breads was set up in the hallway, and guests were entertained by musical groups, including the Bellringers, led by Wally Hayes, now retired from Westbrook High School; and members of the Chopin Club of Westbrook. Pianists were Jan Usher and Norma Hall, who played duets, Mary Levesque, and Marion Rich. Vocalists were Marge Cutter and Louise Leighton. Marion Rich accompanied Marge Cutter when she played her violin, and Jan Usher accompanied Kathy Mariano when she played her flute.

After the excellent musical program, many guests arrived for a reception for Pat Larrabee, who is retiring soon after 35 years in the Walker library as children’s librarian. Mayor Bruce Chuluda presented her with a plaque, and also introduced and presented a plaque to Marion Broaddus, who has been a trustee at the library since 1981 and is now retiring. Diane LeConte, who was assistant librarian and library director until her recent retirement, also spoke. Karen Valley is the new library director.

Quite a lavish meal was awaiting guests,after the presentations. Large pans of vegetarian lasagna and another meat dish were included, plus olives, grapes, salad vegetables, and a big frosted cake for dessert.

Among friends I enjoyed meeting were Marshall and Florence Wing, Marc Mailhot, Beverly Marion. Bessie and Elwood Haskell, and, at the Larrabee reception, Vicky Chuluda, wife of the mayor.

A move afoot in Alaska?

I read in the Dec. 11 Washington Times that Alaska Governor-elect Sarah Palin has plans to move the state capital from Juneau to Fairbanks. She was sworn in Dec. 4 in Fairbanks, more than 600 miles north of Juneau, the nation’s most inaccessible state capital.

Those who want to move the seat of government often complain that Juneau is too far from Alaska’s population centers and reachable only by plane or boat. Lawmakers must drive several hundred miles through interior Alaska and Canada to catch a ferry to Juneau. Those flying in are sometimes diverted to Seattle because of Juneau’s cloudy and windy weather.

When my cousin, Betty Stearns, and I were on a tour of Alaska, we flew from Seattle to Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska. We enjoyed an overnight in Denali Park, then continued by bus to Fairbanks, and next on to Whitehorse, in the Yukon, for a few days. Then we bused down the White Pass to Skagway, the Gold Rush boom town.

A brochure I picked up when in Skagway says; “In the late summer and fall of 1897, Skagway ‘s population shot from 20 to 20,000. Less than two years later, it had dwindled to about 800. The gold that brought the hoards of fortune-seekers to Skagway in ’97 and ’98 came out of the rocks and streams of the Klondike in Canada’s remote Yukon Territory.”

We enjoyed the small town of Skagway, and from there took the ferry down the Lynn Canal to Juneau, where we boarded a plane to go back to Seattle. We thoroughly enjoyed that Alaskan trip, and hoped that we might return someday. But we did think that the location of its capital, Juneau, was in a very isolated area. We’ll be following the new governor’s decision with interest.

Happy 117th

Members of the Woman’s Literary Union met at the Woodfords Congregational Church on Dec. 15, with a luncheon and program to celebrate its 117th birthday.

President Pat Shapazian opened the meeting, introducing former presidents who were seated at the head table.

We were entertained by pianist Marilyn Winward, who played as members sang a few Christmas songs. I wish we could have heard her play some solos, perhaps while we were eating lunch. She was a fine pianist.

Then several of our club members told of their holiday experiences . Gertrude Parker, whose maiden name was Geiger, spoke of German customs in her family. Aase Kjos-Hansen, club treasurer, wearing a beautiful Norwegian costume, spoke of her Norwegian background and customs. Arla Cohen spoke of the Jewish holiday Hanukkah, and had two menorahs on display (candle holders), a small one that she had taken to college with her, and the large one, which she lit for us. They hold four candles on each side of one large one, in the middle.

We then heard from Marcia Willock, president in 1995-97, who read an article on celebrating the holidays in Japan. Mary Kibbee, president in 2003-2005, spoke about her family Christmases.

It was an interesting program, supplied by our own members.

I must mention the beautiful cake, served at the luncheon, with an inscription that it commemorated our society’s 117th birthday.

Betty C. to the rescue

This recipe is from “Betty Crocker’s 1963 Cookie Book.” We had a recent call from Mary Levesque, a member of the Chopin Club, who had a call from a friend asking about filled molasses cookies. Betty Crocker to the rescue!

FILLED MOLASSES COOKIES

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)

1 egg

1/2 cup molasses

1/4 cup soured milk or buttermilk

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon cloves

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

3/4 cup orange marmalade

Cut-up dates, candied fruit or raisins.

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Mix shortening, sugar and egg thoroughly. Stir in molasses and milk. Measure flour and sift. Blend dry ingredients; stir in. If dough is too soft to roll, chill. Roll dough, 1/3 at a time, as thin as possible (1/16-inch thick) on floured board. Cut in 2-inch rounds. Place 1/2 teaspoon marmalade on half the rounds, cover with remaining rounds. Top each cookie with a piece of cut-up date, candied fruit or raisin. Bake 10 to 12 minutes. Makes 5 dozen, 2-inch cookies.

Perhaps Mary’s friend could omit the marmalade and fill with a date paste cut-up dates cooked in a little water, instead.