"Abraham Lincoln’s Intriguing Connections to Oregon"

7 P.M., March 4, 2010 at the Washington County Museum-- More than 16,000 books have been written about Abraham Lincoln, more than on any other American, but none have provided a thorough overview of Lincoln's strong connections to the American West--until now.

Now, just to set the record straight, Dr. Richard Etulain presents Lincoln Looks West: From the Mississippi to the Pacific (2010). Etulain, a western historian with strong ties to the Northwest, will focus his attention upon Lincoln’s intriguing connections to Oregon.

This very important finding, Lincoln Looks West: From the Mississippi to the Pacific, will be available for purchase at the Washington County Historical Museum. A book signing will follow the talk.

Richard W. Etulain is professor emeritus of history and formerly director of the Center for the American West at the University of New Mexico, where he taught from 1979 until retirement in 2001. He is the author or editor of more than forty books, most of which focus on the history and literature of the American West. They include Conversations with Wallace Stegner on Western History and Literature and Beyond the Missouri: The Story of the American West.

Methodist Cookies!

Here is a cookie recipe that Clara Sanders made and brought frequently to the Saturday Morning Doughnut Sale when it was run entirely by the Sherwood United Methodist Church. Clara frequently worked as a cashier at the Doughnut Sale. The recipe is found in the 1973 Sherwood United Methodist Women Cookbook that was put together by the Sarah Circle of the SUMC Women's Society.

Blend together by hand the following:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk (not Evaporated)
1 pkg (1 C.) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
1 pkg (1 C.) Butterscotch Morsels
1 C. coarsely-chopped walnuts
1/1/2 C miniature marshmallows

Mix well and press mixture into FOIL lined 9" square pan.
Bake at 350 degrees F. for 30-35 minutes.
Cool an hour or more and cut into squares.
Double recipe for a 13 X 9 " pan.

Sugar Cookie Recipes (Yum!)

Here is another recipe from the 1973 cookbook put together by Sarah Circle, Sherwood United Methodist Church. This recipe was submitted by Mrs. A.E. Sherk (1882-1978). She and her son, Ronald wrote an early history of Sherwood. She was the long-time librarian at the Sherwood Public Library. I don't have a picture, but maybe you do. The recipe is very brief and limited instructions, not like today. An internet search says that a "quick oven" is a setting of around 400 degrees.

2 eggs
1 c. sugar (heaped)
1/2 c. butter or shortening
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tbsp. milk
2 tsp. baking powder

Mix soft. Quick oven.

June Reynolds Video showing at Champoeg, Feb. 13!

Oregon's Birthday is February 14. If you visit Champoeg on February 13 at 4:00 PM, you will see the first public showing of

June Reynolds History Play-- The Video

starring Sherwood ex-Mayor Clyde List (as Governor Currey, at Left) in three different roles, and playing a 5 String Banjo too yet! This is an incredible honor to two of Sherwood's finest and you do not want to miss it!

"Can You Play Jingle Bells?"

This year, the Corvallis Book Fair was serenaded by Sherwood's own banjo meister, Clyde List. The place didn't get hopping until a group of carolers from the local University dropped in.

New Columbus Day Storm Pictures Emerge.

"After recently reading about the progress of the redevelopment of the Portland Canning Co. site, I came across these photos taken the day after the Columbus Day Storm. As you can see, Portland Canning lost almost all of it's rolling stock stored in the pine grove north of the canning building." --Dennis Lively

COMMENT: The storm happened Oct. 12, 1962. The cannery closed in 1971. The processing of Sherwood area farm products continued for a while, after the Columbus Day Storm, but the axe was falling. This photo could just as easily be a cartoon about what the global economy did to a very important Sherwood enterprise that rescued a lot of families from starvation and sent a lot kids through college!

A New Book about Small Town Life

Ever since Sherwood Historical Society Secretary Clyde List served his one term as Mayor of Sherwood Oregon USA (1980-2), he has wondered about all the other people in America who have survived that job. A new book offers a glimpse into their lonely, desperate lives: MAYORS ACROSS AMERICA by Ed Morris.

The Latest on Robin Hood!

The latest research on Robin Hood puts the legendary outlaw back in Sherwood Forest instead of Barnesdale. Just where we need him. The article is deep, but a photograph of the source material is a pretty sight to behold.

(Click Image to Enlarge. Note the Highlight on the words "Robin Hode" and "Sherwoode.")

Clyde List Editorial: Thanksgiving Day 2009

The First Thanksgiving by J.L.G. Ferris Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

NOTE: The Sherwood Historical Society does not endorse Clyde's Comments. Thanksgiving is the celebration of a very positive historical incident that happened between some white people and the Native Americans a long, long time ago. But there was a lot more than that to celebrate. Please go to: Forgotten Founders. Spend some time imagining what America might been like if only the story had not taken such a desperately wrong turn. The page will make you very angry. Sorry to spoil your holiday! Happy Thanksgiving anyway.

Photo Refurbishing

It's amazing how much detail can be brought out of an old family photo. Here is a before and after portrait from the Aebischer family. The original was found among a large collection of photographs donated recently. Most were taken around the Mountain Home area. This photograph was artfully copied and retouched by our Sherwood Historical Society computer geek. (Click to Enlarge.)