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FO R E V E RYO N E W H O LOV E S TH I S COU NTRY N OV. – D E C . 2 0 2 6

HOLIDAY HOSTING

AMERICAN ESSENCE BY BRIGHT MAGAZINE GROUP

Create Christmas cheer (and gingerbread treats) for your holiday party

One of Hollywood’s most prolific actors helps bring Jimmy Stewart’s inspiring story to new generations

Neal McDonough w e i event r P nt o d dC e e t it Selec

m of i L

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“We believe faith and freedom must be our guiding stars, for they show us truth, they make us brave, give us hope, and leave us wiser than we were.” Ronald Reagan

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Wild horses on a Colorado landscape. NOV. – D EC. 2026 |

CONTENTS 12

A waterfall found along the Road to Hana scenic drive in Maui, Hawaii.

First Look 8 | Social Calendar Our picks for exciting events worth attending across the country.

10 | Culture Shortlist What to watch and read this holiday season.

12 | Balmy Days Ahead Where to go for a vacation away from the frigid winter.

14 | A Guide to Holiday Tipping How to tip during the holiday season, according to an etiquette expert.

Profiles 16 | Standing Firm on Faith

Actor Neal McDonough shares how staying true to his moral convictions cost him roles, then saved him.

26 | Resting in Divine Order

Faith helps singer Stella Parton accept painful losses gracefully.

30 | Aiming Beyond the Ordinary

Educator David Jackson shares how pursuing massive goals creates a life without limits.

34 | Near-Death Experience

An athlete’s astounding vision during a medical emergency changed his perspective on life.

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Lifestyle

38 | Holiday Hospitality

How to host a party that exudes warmth and grace, from a Southern hostess pro.

44 | Desserts Galore

What kinds of sweet treats do Americans eat during holiday celebrations? Get to know some regional desserts and their origins.

48 | Quality Metal

The art of hand-forged metalworking endures at Wendell August Forge, where unique holiday ornaments and other giftware are crafted by artisans.

52 | Holiday Cheers

Tips on planning your drinks menu for the holiday party, from cocktail expert Camille Wilson.

56 | Mastering Holiday Home Decor

Tips from an interior designer on how to decorate with intention.

History 58 | Faith in the Wilderness

The Plymouth Pilgrims’ belief-based resilience set them apart from the failed colonies that had come before.

Country and western singer Gene Autry, circa 1945.

Culture 76 | Harrison Family’s Tricentennial One of the oldest houses in Virginia, Berkeley Plantation was the ancestral home of two U.S. presidents.

80 | America’s Quintessential Music Writer and historian Don Cusic discusses the longstanding, symbiotic relationship between country music and our nation’s identity.

86 | Sleighs, Snowdrifts, and Serenity George Henry Durrie’s snowy landscapes are known for their soft, luminous colors, lone farmhouses, and winding country roads.

62 | A Sacred Purpose

90 | Why I Love America

64 | The Charitable Pioneer

92 | Family Roots

The Colonists’ first printed book is a story of more than a decade of collaboration, requiring faith and fortitude.

Despite a life of hardship, former slave Clara Brown’s compassion earned her the nickname “Angel of the Rockies.”

66 | The Immortal Chaplains

Four clergymen calmly sacrificed their lives to help rescue passengers during one of World War II’s worst sea disasters.

72 | Candy Cane Legends

The crooked sugar stick has endured as a Christmas staple in America since the 19th century.

A retired teacher reflects on why it’s important to her that she nurture a love of country in future generations.

Honoring the bravery and patriotism of a grandfather who immigrated from Greece.

94 | Deep Gratitude An N.C. Wyeth illustration depicts the profound meaning of the Thanksgiving holiday.

98 | Rx for Life Researcher Edward Thompson Jr. explains what healthy habits men should adopt as they age.

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AMERICAN ESSENCE BY BRIGHT MAGAZINE GROUP FOR EVERYONE WHO LOVES THIS COUNTRY N OV. – D E C . 2 02 6 | VO LU M E 6 | I S S U E 6

P U B LI S H E R

Dana Cheng, PhD

E D I TO R I A L

Editor-in-Chief Profiles Editor Lifestyle Editor History & Culture Editor Editor-at-Large

Sharon Kilarski, PhD Brett Chudá Annie Wu Jennifer Schneider Tynan Beatty

C R E AT I V E

Lead Designer Designer Photographers Production Manager

Astrid Wang

SA LE S

Sales Director Sales Assistant

These pages ar in the p

Luba Tistarelli Karen Tang Adhiraj Chakrabarti Samira Bouaou

Ellen Wang Onon Otgonbayar

C O N T R I B U TO R S

Sandy Lindsey, Tim Johnson, Annie Holmquist, Conan Milner, Randy Tatano, Jared Pearman, Andria Pressel, Deena C. Bouknight, Kevin Revolinski, Andrew Benson Brown, Rebecca Day, Jeff Minick, Dean George, Sarah Isak-Goode, Charlotte McDonald, Mark Lardas

American Essence (USPS 24810) is published bimonthly by Bright Magazine Group at 129 W 29th St. FL. 8, New York, NY 10001. Periodicals postage is paid at New York, NY. Postmaster: Send address changes to American Essence, 129 W 29th St. FL. 8, New York, NY 10001. General Inquiries: AmericanEssence.net/help Advertisement Inquiries: ad@americanessence.com Submissions: editor@americanessencemag.com

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Crafted With

EDITOR’S NOTE

Dear Reader, The end of the year beckons us toward gratitude and generosity. To that purpose, our holiday issue inspires the reawakening and strengthening of faith, as we introduce those whose lives have been profoundly shaped by it. Our cover story (page 16) introduces actor Neal McDonough, who stars in the November film release “Jimmy,” a biopic that details how actor James Stewart got his role in the holiday treasure “It’s a Wonderful Life.” McDonough, who plays Stewart’s father, shares his own story of holding onto faith within an unforgiving industry. Another performer, Stella Parton, shares how her beliefs have helped her deal with grief (page 26), and a young athlete explains how a surgery gone wrong led to his awakening to God’s presence (page 34). We travel back to the time of the Pilgrims (page 58), whose piety enabled their very survival. We also meet four chaplains who perished during a World War II disaster, but their sacrifice heartened survivors (page 66). On the lighter side, we take a look at the music genre that has continued to define, and change with, America: country (page 80). To brighten the season, we reveal the history of a perennial Christmas candy (page 72) and ask experts (pages 38 and 52) to share decorating and entertaining tips. Join us for the holidays!

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Winners of the 2026 Green Eyeshade Awards for excellence in journalism

American Essence proudly announces that its March–April 2025 article “Where Wild Ponies Swim and Dreams Come True” won three regional Society of Professional Journalists awards: Nanette Holt and her daughter Natasha won first place in the Travel reporting category and second place in the Light Feature writing category; Natasha Holt took second place as the Student Journalist of the Year.

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SOCIAL CALENDAR Mountain Magic

A Southern Holiday Extravaganza

Weekend at Santa’s

Mountain Mandarin Festival

Savannah Christmas Market

Yuletide Family Weekends

Roseville, Calif. | Nov. 20–22

Savannah, Ga. | Nov. 19–Jan. 3, 2027

North Pole, N.Y. | Nov. 20–Dec. 20

Now in its 33rd year, this festival of country-style fun and food brings together about 35,000 visitors for three days, with stage shows featuring exciting bands, chefs, magicians, and dancers. Dishes will celebrate the mandarin oranges grown in the foothills of enchanting Placer County. Fun for all ages is guaranteed, with free admission for kids under 10.

Savannah’s posh, picturesque Plant Riverfront District transforms into a festive fantasy land for seven weeks as shops, craftsmen, vendors, and artisans display their wares. The backdrop of lights, music, and a festival of trees creates a memorable, magical holiday wonderland. To keep visitors going, the District’s restaurants will be serving everything from gourmet fare to traditional Southern “comfort food.”

What’s better than sending a letter to Santa? Spending a weekend at the North Pole! Tailored to delight children from 2 to 10, this immersive experience lets the entire family spend a weekend at Santa’s workshop. Activities include a surprise visit and hand-picked gift from Santa, musical performances and caroling, delicious meals, fun rides, and more special treats.

MandarinFestival.com

NorthPoleNY.com/ yuletide-family-weekends

PlantRiverside.com/ Savannah-Christmas-Market

American Heroes

74th Annual Christmas Day Crossing Reenactment Washington Crossing, Pa. | Dec. 25 About 250 years ago, Gen. George Washington crossed the Delaware River on Christmas. The exploits of Washington and his soldiers were instrumental to America’s winning independence from England. Volunteers will stage the 74th annual reenactment of the crossing, for which admission is free. This event is a must for all seeking a closer connection to our nation’s Founders. WashingtonCrossingPark.org/ Cross-With-Us/

Family Fun

Beach Ball Drop Panama City Beach, Fla. | Dec. 31 In recognition of Panama City’s reputation as a beach town, the highlight of its New Year celebration will be the Beach Ball Drop on Pier Park. Visitors will enjoy free live music and fireworks launched over the Gulf of America. This event even features an additional ball drop at 8 p.m. for those who can’t stay up till midnight. VisitPanamaCityBeach.com/Events/Holiday-Events/ New-Years-Eve/

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CELEBRATE OUR NATION’S 250TH IN AMERICA’S MOST PATRIOTIC DESTINATION

WHERE HEROES GET

a standing ovation. Come to a place where your service is honored and your legacy is celebrated. From memorials to museums, this is where freedom takes center stage. Plan your trip to the most patriotic destination in America at

ExploreBranson.com NOV. – D EC. 2026 |

CULTURE SHORTLIST

READ

‘Miss Sally’s Son’

WATCH

‘A Matter of Life and Death’ A World War II pilot’s impossible survival becomes a hopeful fable about mercy, love, and the mystery behind human life. This incredible classic turns a brush with death into something luminous, suggesting that the human soul can still hold steady when both fear and fate seem ready to close in. DIRECTORS

Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger STARS

David Niven, Kim Hunter, Roger Livesey

RELEASED

1946

STREAMING

YouTube, Plex

‘Waiting Isn’t a Waste: The Surprising Comfort of Trusting God in the Uncertainties of Life’

‘Bah Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas’ This “Looney Tunes” Charles Dickens parody features Daffy as a miserly superstore owner, whose beleaguered employees include characters Speedy Gonzales and Pepé Le Pew. Between visits from the Christmas Ghosts (Granny with Tweety, Yosemite Sam, and Taz), he is heckled by Bugs Bunny, a customer accidentally locked inside his store. DIRECTOR

RELEASED

STARS

STREAMING

Joe Alaskey, Bob Bergen, Billy West, June Foray, Jim Cummings (voices)

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These pages ar in the p Ignatius Press, 2026 Paperback, 321 pages

READ

WATCH

Charles Visserr

In Thomas Curry’s novel, lawyer Jack Benton suddenly and unexpectedly leaves his job in Berlin to settle the affairs of his late mother in Virginia. Equally unexpectedly, he discovers his mother was well-off, well-respected, and generous, sharing her home with another family. Religion was central to Sally’s life, but not Jack’s. While in Virginia, Jack uncovers his mother’s past and who his unknown father was. Moreover, he regains his faith and finds love.

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Pastor Mark Vroegop honors an activity few people enjoy, but everyone does. The book reminds readers to see all the good that can come from this non-activity. After identifying the many reasons people must wait—for a job, a relationship, a baby, a wayward child— he provides the glass-half-full benefits of embracing waiting, with faith as an overarching theme. Each chapter ends with reflective questions that can inspire anyone, no matter their faith. Crossway, 2024 Paperback, 152 pages

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Traditions | Social Graces

A Most Generous Spirit The basics of tipping etiquette during the holiday season Illustrated by Tom Bernardes

By Annie Holmquist

art of my college tuition was paid through the piano lessons I gave to elementary students, and when Christmas time came, I often trooped home with more than my music bag. Sometimes it was just Christmas greetings, other times a homemade treat, and occasionally, I was blown away by a generous gift card. Yes, I had been inducted into the world of holiday tipping. Navigating how to tip isn’t as easy as receiving tips, though. Etiquette instructor Bethany Friske provides a few considerations to help us during the holiday tipping season.

Why Should We Consider Tipping?

know the person and how often he or she provides services to you.

… And Who Doesn’t Since some companies—including delivery services like UPS and FedEx—have specific rules about what their employees can receive from their customers, Friske advises checking a company’s website for policies before proceeding with cash gifts. To avoid these pitfalls, Friske suggests placing a bucket of snacks and water by the door during the holiday season with a sign expressing thanks to the men and women who faithfully bring packages throughout the year.

Because the holidays can be full of extra costs, it’s important to have the right mindset before bestowing tips. Tipping during the December holiday season “is a way to express our thanks to someone for regular service that we may receive throughout the year,” Friske says. We should never feel pressured to give a tip, but we should remember that doing so is a way to show thoughtfulness toward those who serve us.

Too Much … or Too Little?

Who Gets the Tip …

Going the Extra Mile

Holiday tips can go both to those in industries that regularly take tips and those that don’t, making everyone from a housekeeper to a barber to a teacher a worthy candidate. Friske suggests the following guidelines to determine whether you deeply value their services and thus they deserve a little something extra. First, consider the quality of the service. If it has been exceptional, think about how well you

Friske cautions us “to always give within our means” when it comes to tips. Thus, a jar of homemade jam, a card with affirming words, or a plate of baked goods can go a long way to make a service provider feel special without breaking the bank. Such gifts are particularly suitable for providers you only see occasionally, like the stylist who cuts your hair twice a year, or the mechanic who serviced your car last June.

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How much to tip varies depending on regional economic factors, but if the person you’re tipping is “someone you pay on a regular basis,” Friske says a good rule of thumb is to give a “bonus week’s pay.” Thus, the housekeeper paid $100 a week would receive an extra $100, while the babysitter who comes once a month would receive double her night’s pay.

PROFILES T H E P E O P L E S H A P I N G A M E R I C A T O D AY

Stella Parton, Dolly’s sister and fellow country singer, in a performance at a UK music festival. Learn how she healed after profound loss, on page 26.

Real, Tough Guys

From Impairment to Achievement

Actor and producer Neal McDonough on Jimmy Stewart, the actor and war hero.

David Jackson overcame immense challenges to conquer extraordinary, lifelong adventures.

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A moment from the new film “Jimmy: The Untold True Story of Jimmy Stewart” with KJ Apa (facing away) and Neal McDonough, portraying Stewart’s father.

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Tough Choices, Tough Men Actor Neal McDonough’s convictions have always come first for him, and now, they’ve led him to greener pastures and a new film By Conan Milner

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Profiles | Accomplished Actor

n November 6, a film legend returns to the big screen. “Jimmy: the Untold True Story of Jimmy Stewart” shines a new light on one of Hollywood’s golden-era greats. The biopic reveals the character-defining moments that shaped Stewart’s life on and off screen. On screen, Stewart was known for his earnest persona and emotive voice. His heartfelt performances brought screenplays to life and helped define the American experience (think: “The Philadelphia Story” and “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington”). But Stewart’s passionate, on-screen monologues about American ideals weren’t merely an act. Integrity and patriotism were at his core. He fought bravely on the front lines of World War II when he had the chance to stay comfortably at home. For that, award-winning actor Neal McDonough, who plays Stewart’s father in “Jimmy,” calls Stewart “one of the biggest American heroes of all time.”

“He did not have to go into World War II. … He certainly didn’t have to go on all those fighting missions in a plane to prove that he was part of the greatest country ever made. Actor Neal McDonough on James “Jimmy” Stewart after he won an Oscar in 1941

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Admirable Actors, A Generation Apart “A lot of people don’t know the backstory of Jimmy,” McDonough said. In 1940, Stewart had just won the Academy Award for Best Actor in “The Philadelphia Story.” “He did not have to go into World War II,” McDonough continued. “He certainly didn’t have to go on all those fighting missions in a plane to prove that he was part of the greatest country ever made.” When Stewart got drafted in 1941, his celebrity status could have easily granted him a pass—yet he insisted on serving. The Air Force put Stewart’s flying skills to work, and he trained pilots at Kirtland Army Airfield. But this actor-turned-pilot yearned to play a bigger role in the fight, so he asked to be sent to England as part of the 703rd Bomb Squadron flying B-24 Liberators. Stewart rose in the ranks from private to colonel in just four years, but he returned home broken, doubting if he would ever act again. Film director Frank Capra reached out to his old friend by offering him a role as George Bailey in his new Christmas movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Stewart’s reluctant return to film went on to become a beloved classic.

LEFT Poster for the biopic “Jimmy” that features

McDonough as actor James “Jimmy” Stewart’s father, a World War I veteran. RIGHT McDonough at his home in Southern California.

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Everyday Adventurer | Profiles A map of places Jackson and his wife have visited as of 2024.

re not included preview. ABOVE Jackson takes off in a MiG-29 in Siberia,

Russia, in 2016.

LEFT Jackson (L) and friends at Machu Picchu, Peru,

during their South American adventure.

drawn from Collins’s work, has guided his decades of building Fairmont Schools into what it is now. Jackson’s core message is straightforward and hard-earned. “If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t keep trying, the answer is no. What have you got to lose to just give it a shot?” He tells young people to find a passion, surround themselves with people who believe in them, and refuse to accept other people’s limits. To those in the middle of responsibility-heavy years—raising children, caring for parents, building careers—he offers the same advice: Take the risk anyway. The bruises teach you something, and the successes build the confidence to try the next audacious thing.

He still hopes to reach outer space, one of his last BHAGs. “Some people say ‘You’re crazy. Why would you want to do that?’ It’s just something I want to do.” Looking back on a life that includes exploring more than 130 countries, co-piloting a MiG-29 at Mach 2.3 up to an altitude of 58,000 feet, racing against Olympic skiers, transforming a school, and serving with his wife Stacey in humanitarian missions to Russia for more than 3 years, Jackson is clear about the payoff: “The real joy comes from sharing God’s gifts with others” and from proving, again and again, that ordinary people can land at the top if they refuse to turn back.

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Next Stop, the Stars Adventurer and educator David Jackson wants you to spread your wings, even if it hurts a little

Not one to shy away from adversity, David Jackson overcame visual impairment to co-pilot a MiG-29 aircraft at 58,000 feet.

By Jared Pearman

orn with double vision after a doctor accidentally hit his eye socket with forceps, David Jackson grew up hating school because of his inability to read. An unlikely beginning for a man who would later run some of the top private schools in California, Fairmont Schools, but overcoming adversity is at the heart of Jackson’s approach to life. “The double vision really messed me up. Until two surgeries fixed it, I was way behind. I was labeled in the ’50s as just kind of a dummy, a handicap,” Jackson said. As a teenager, he underwent another eye surgery to fix the problem and spent two years performing painstaking exercises to fix his vision.

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When he was 15 years old, his stepfather, Ken Holt, took him flying in his small Cessna plane. Jackson said the moment they landed, he told his stepfather, “Ken, I want to learn to fly.” To which Ken replied, “‘Okay, go for it.’ And I was like, ‘All right, what do I have to do?’ He said, ‘I don’t know. You tell me.’ He wouldn’t tell me what to do. He made me figure it out.”

Adventure Awaits In addition to flying, Jackson took up downhill skiing in his teens, becoming an elite competitor. But living in Southern California meant that his ski season was limited, so he decided that when he turned 18, he’d sail to Chile in pursuit of a second

Everyday Adventurer | Profiles

Jackson on a ski trip to eastern Turkey in 1969. In 1963, Jackson (R) and his friends spent the summer driving from Southern California to Chile, just to ski for three weeks in the mountains.

winter before joining a college team. However, when he presented his plan to the Coast Guard, they laughed him out of the office. The year was 1963. Commercial airlines didn’t have flights there, and his oceanic plans weren’t viable, but he remained undeterred from his goal. A new plan emerged. He’d drive. Guerilla wars plagued Central America at the time, and there was no road through the Darién Gap between Panama and Colombia. The drive seemed impossible to most people, but Jackson had a friend who agreed to join him. They planned the trip together during two years of high school, but just two weeks before they had planned to leave, his friend pulled out. Another reason to give up.

“Having a few BHAGs

[Big Hairy Audacious Goals] stretches you beyond what you and anybody else thinks is possible. David Jackson, president & CEO, Fairmont Private Schools & Fairmont Education Group

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Profiles | Everyday Adventurer

1968 and 1969, when he tried to reach the Caucasus Mountains in the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War for another ski trip. Restricted zones and secret military installations forced a change of route, but he never retreated. That same drive carried him to become a collegiate athlete, to launch his own businesses, to go on religious missions around the world, and to take over the Fairmont network of private schools founded by his stepfather, expanding that network and running some of the most high-performing schools in the country.

As former owner and president of Fairmont Private Schools, Jackson embraces every challenge with the belief, “It can’t hurt to try.”

But David Jackson doesn’t give up. He posted flyers around local colleges and found two guys willing to make the trek with him. Jackson’s only rule: “We couldn’t turn back.” The trio drove an old Volkswagen bus across border after border. They got robbed more than once along the way. A volcano eruption in Costa Rica almost killed them and sent them on a massive detour. In Panama, they had to load the van onto an aging Italian steamer making its final voyage before the scrap heap because it was the only way to get from Central America to Ecuador in South America. And when they arrived in Chile, the van broke down in the middle of the Atacama Desert. Jackson’s travel companions wanted to turn back, but he held them to their word, and they made it to the mountains. They traveled all summer, overcoming incredible adversity, all for three weeks of skiing. That was Jackson’s first big adventure, but the same relentless drive has carried him through his entire life. It carried him across the Iron Curtain in

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Big Hairy Audacious Goals Jackson freely credits Jim Collins and Jerry Porras with coining the term BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) in their 1994 book “Built to Last.” The concept struck him with force. “I recognized that’s what I had done,” he said. “An 18-year-old driving a Volkswagen bus to South America to ski—that’s crazy. Almost all my friends thought I was nuts. But having a few BHAGs stretches you beyond what you and anybody else thinks is possible.” After guiding and expanding his beloved Fairmont Schools for five decades as CEO & owner, he sold the schools and set a new BHAG. Yes, he still sets them. His current BHAG is helping improve education more broadly by demonstrating what great teaching and high expectations can achieve. “Why would you settle for a good school if you can have a great school? Why settle for a good teacher if you can have a great teacher?” The question,

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Fairmont’s Pentathlon team won the national championship in 2016.

Everyday Adventurer | Profiles A map of places Jackson and his wife have visited as of 2024.

re not included preview. ABOVE Jackson takes off in a MiG-29 in Siberia,

Russia, in 2016.

LEFT Jackson (L) and friends at Machu Picchu, Peru,

during their South American adventure.

NOV. – D EC. 2026 |

Assembling gingerbread houses with her family is a beloved tradition for Courtney Dial Whitmore.

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Holiday Parties | Lifestyle

’Tis the Season for Christmas Magic Entertaining pro Courtney Dial Whitmore on how to host a holiday party with warmth and pizzazz By Andria Pressel

any of us have treasured Christmas traditions that we look forward to each year. For Courtney Dial Whitmore, it’s gingerbread house tea parties. Her mother held the family’s very first only a month after Whitmore was born, and decades later, Whitmore continues to share the tradition with her two daughters as well as readers across the world in her latest cookbook, “The Gingerbread Party: Recipes and Traditions for Christmas Entertaining.” Many of the recipes— ranging from a warm tea drink by her grandfather, to small bites for party hosting, to gingerbread desserts—hold fond memories for Whitmore. “Food has this incredible ability to bring back a memory almost instantly,” she said. “My mother has always been a wonderful entertainer, and so many of my own holiday memories are connected to recipes she made and traditions she created.” Whitmore said she soaked up the virtues of Southern hostessing from a young age, having grown up in South Carolina watching her mother throw elegant parties for friends and family. This marks the sixth cookbook publication for Whitmore, who also founded Pizzazzerie.com, where she has been sharing entertaining inspiration and ideas since 2010. With the holiday season soon upon us, American Essence asked Whitmore to share her best tips and tricks for holiday hosting and making meaningful family traditions.

American Essence: Southern hospitality is often associated with generosity and abundance. How can hosts capture that feeling without feeling like they have to create an elaborate or expensive celebration? Courtney Dial Whitmore: To me, Southern hospitality has much more to do with how you make people feel than how much you spend. It’s truly welcoming someone into your home, offering them something to drink, and making them feel like family. Sometimes a favorite family recipe and greenery clipped from the garden can feel every bit as special as something elaborate. Generosity doesn’t have to mean abundance of things. It can simply mean being generous with your time and attention.

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Lifestyle | Holiday Parties

“A good holiday host makes people feel at home. … If the host is relaxed and enjoying herself, everyone else tends to match that energy.

AE: What does being a good holiday host mean to you? Ms. Whitmore: A good holiday host makes people feel at home. I try to do as much as I can ahead of time so that once people arrive, I can actually be part of the gathering. If the host is relaxed and enjoying herself, everyone else tends to match that energy. AE: You’re known for creating tablescapes with plenty of pizzazz. Where should someone begin when designing a holiday table? Ms. Whitmore: I usually begin with one thing that inspires the rest of the table. It might be a favorite set of plates, a tablecloth, a beautiful ribbon, or even a color combination I love. From there, I layer in pieces I already own. Shop your home! I love mixing old and new, especially family pieces like silver platters, linens, china, and other things that have a story. You definitely don’t need to buy an entirely new collection for every holiday. In fact, I think a table is often more interesting when everything isn’t perfectly matched. Get creative, try things out, and create a table that’s uniquely yours. AE: What are some small presentation details that can make a big difference when you’re serving holiday food? Ms. Whitmore: I love little details that make everyday foods feel special for the holidays. Serve a dip in an antique silver bowl instead of the container it came in. Add a sprig of rosemary to a platter. Better yet, grow rosemary and clip from it all season to add the finishing touch to your dishes. Use cake stands to add height to your buffet tables. Tie a little ribbon around napkins or to the top of a place card. Use the good china and pretty serving pieces rather than saving them for some imaginary “special occasion.” Having people you love around a table is the special occasion!

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Whitmore grew up watching her mom host elegant parties, and the mother-daughter duo are now frequent collaborators on Whitmore’s entertaining blog and books.

AE: How can families intentionally establish their own food traditions, especially if they don’t have longstanding recipes or rituals passed down through generations? Ms. Whitmore: You can start a tradition at any time! I think sometimes we assume traditions have to be generations old to “count,” but every old family tradition started with someone. Choose a dish your family genuinely loves and repeat it every holiday! Maybe you make the same Christmas morning breakfast every year, bake a certain cookie together, or have a special meal on Christmas Eve. Years from now, those will be the very dishes [our children] make for their own families. AE: Your upcoming cookbook, “Gingerbread Party,” highlights one of the most nostalgic holiday treats. What is it about gingerbread that makes it such a wonderful foundation for holiday entertaining? Ms. Whitmore: Gingerbread is truly magical at Christmastime because it appeals to so many senses. There’s the smell of those warm spices throughout the home, the fun of decorating beautiful houses and cookies, and all the nostalgia that comes along with it. A gingerbread house can be a centerpiece on your Christmas table, decorating gingerbread cookies can

re not included preview. For young boys who love trains, the gingerbread party can be themed around train cars.

become an annual party activity, and gingerbread flavors can inspire everything from desserts to drinks!

AE: What do you think hosts worry about unnecessarily when preparing for a holiday gathering? Ms. Whitmore: Perfection! Guests are not inspecting your baseboards or wondering whether every dish was homemade. They’re coming to spend time with you. I

think social media has made it very easy to feel like every gathering needs to be picture-perfect, but real entertaining is about making memories with people. Buy the dessert if you need to, just move it onto a pretty platter and add a festive garnish! Have a messy room? Shut the door. Forget something on your menu? That’s okay, too! I inevitably forget something at almost every party, and somehow they still turn out wonderfully.

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Forged in Tradition

The oldest forge in America has been making treasured family heirlooms for over a century, preserving the craft of hand-wrought metalware

An artisan hammers the edges of a die to create a unique border on a piece of metal, which will become a commemorative gift.

By Deena C. Bouknight

ew things escape change. Yet Wendell August Forge, located about an hour outside Pittsburgh, has been using the same process to create unique metal wares since the early 1900s. Each Christmas ornament, custom plate, America 250 memento, and decorative bookmark is crafted using techniques established when the company was founded. Generations of individuals own Wendell August Forge items handcrafted by the company’s skilled artisans. The process begins with a hand-engraved die, which is the piece of steel that a master die engraver carves art into. Then, aluminum or bronze is hand-hammered into the original die, hand-edged with a hammer to

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create a unique border, and finally hand-polished. Many employees have spent their entire careers at the company, and some pass down their love of artisan skills to the next generation, who enter into apprenticeships. As the adage goes, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” Wendell August must have had that mindset when, in 1923, he could not find two door latches for his new home to match the one he already had. August asked the blacksmith at the coal mine he owned to forge matching latches. Recognizing that other people might appreciate such items, he and the blacksmith, Ottone Pisoni, began a business partnership. Nine years later, they established a dedicated

Made in America | Lifestyle

metalworking factory in a small building with a handful of employees. Today, dozens of artists, metalsmiths, and engravers ensure that the legacy of Wendell August Forge endures.

Wendell August Forge’s special edition Christmas ornament for 2026 depicts a cozy holiday hearth.

The entire production process involves artisans working by hand.

The History Continues Transitioning from coal mine owner to overseeing the making of practical and gift items came at a good time. Coal mining had taken a hit due to the Great Depression, so August concentrated instead on working with iron and then with aluminum, which was easier to manipulate. Initially, money makers for Wendell August Forge were architectural commission items, such as gates and elevator doors. Leftover metal scraps were crafted into smaller pieces and presented to the presidents and CEOs of the companies commissioning the jobs. However, by the mid-1930s, giftware became the main focus. Also, specialty pieces to present as awards or to commemorate an event or historic milestone—such as for the Hindenburg’s 1936 “Millionaire’s Flight” over England—became sought after. A pause in the company’s production occurred only during World War II, when metal was scarce because it was needed for the war effort. The company resumed operations post-war, concentrating primarily on hand-crafted giftware and some utilitarian items made of four main metals: aluminum, bronze, copper, and stainless steel. After August died in 1963, his son Robert took the helm. He propelled Wendell August Forge into the retail realm by opening a gift shop in Grove City, Pennsylvania, where the factory was once located. Presently, the gift shop and a company history center remain in Grove City, while 7 miles away, in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, is the company’s factory and distribution and shipping center. In the late 1970s, with no heirs to whom he could pass the company’s torch, Robert sold the business to Frank William Knecht III, whose IBM marketing and sales experience boosted the company’s offerings even further. “He took inspirational, holiday, and special occasion items to a collectibility level,” current owner Christian Werner explained. Eventually, the business was passed down to Knecht’s son, Frank William (Will) Knecht IV. NOV. – D EC. 2026 |

Lifestyle | Made in America

American Story Prior to joining Wendell August Forge, Werner and his wife, Susan, and family of three children lived in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he owned a mortgage company and a property investment company. It was in Charlotte that Werner met someone at a Bible study who told him about the forge. “He had grown up with Will [owner of Wendell August Forge], and he told me I should meet him,” Werner shared with American Essence. “He thought we had much in common.” Werner quickly developed a strong friendship with Will Knecht, but it was when Werner was invited to the forge’s factory that his life changed. “I was like, ‘Wow, how is this not a household name nationwide?’ … Men and women were forging pieces one at a time. Each piece has … an iconic touch mark, like a signature, to indicate what era it was produced and who the artisan was.” He added, “I was just so impressed by the entire process—a raw piece of metal becoming an heirloom-quality, beautiful item.” Werner decided he wanted to be a part of the Wendell August Forge story in 2009. He began overseeing strategic planning and wholesale for the company and its custom products division. He became its part owner nine years ago and full owner two years ago. Tangible Commemoration A collector himself, primarily of baseball cards, Werner determined that the collectibility of the forge’s products was one of its most valuable assets. In 1980, Frank William Knecht III’s wife, Connie, had the idea to release a collectible annual Christmas ornament. It has since become a customer favorite. The forge also makes items for the White House, Disney, sports teams, and individuals seeking custom-made family heirlooms. Before any of the handwork with the metal happens, talented artists create unique designs for each client’s needs, whether an individual or a large organization. “Their artistry is the foundation of every piece we craft,” said Werner. Alex DeGroff, the company’s digital marketing manager, explained that the creative team— comprised of graphic designers, photographers, and marketers—brainstorms new product ideas together. “It can take days, weeks, or even months 50

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This year, the forge made a number of commemorative items celebrating America’s 250th birthday.

Made in America | Lifestyle

“Before any of the

handwork with the metal happens, talented artists create unique designs for each client’s needs, whether an individual or a large organization.

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An artisan hammers a design in metal; a historic photo of Wendell August Forge staff during the 1930s; a snow globe-shaped ornament depicting the North Pole Post Office.

of refining and perfecting every detail before a product is ready,” she said. Wendell August Forge has created special commemorative tickets for sports events, and it offers a host of items, such as charcuterie boards, coasters, ornaments, clocks, and more, for college, university, and NFL teams. In 2025, the company filled its largest order to date. Another centuryplus-year-old American business, Caterpillar, requested that the forge create gift options for its 100,000-plus employees. Although the government, corporate, and sports-related side of the business is significant, Werner noted that faith, wedding, and holiday-related items are its staples. “We are a Christianrun company, so Christmas season is especially magical here. We create hundreds of thousands of holiday ornaments and gifts.” He anticipates

many customers will acquire the company’s yearly special ornament design. They buy for themselves and start collections for their children and grandchildren. “I get story after story from people. … There is something especially meaningful about creating Christmas ornaments in America that become part of a family’s holiday tradition.” The same is true with momentous occasions, such as this year’s 250th anniversary of America’s founding. Gold- or silver-plated limited edition ornaments include a certificate of authenticity signed and numbered by Werner. “As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, we believe there could not be a more meaningful time to share the story of American craftsmanship, American manufacturing, and the people who are keeping these traditions alive,” Werner said. NOV. – D EC. 2026 |

History | Interfaith Cooperation

The Four Chaplains and the Sinking of the Dorchester When the Dorchester was torpedoed in World War II, four men from different faiths became a symbol of courage and unity By Jeff Minick

“Of that

crew and its complement of passengers, only 230 survived this disaster.

ust before 1 a.m. on the morning of February 3, 1943, a torpedo launched by a German submarine, a U-223, slammed into the American troopship Dorchester. The explosion ripped an enormous hole in the vessel, immediately killing and wounding many of the men. Aboard the Dorchester were 902 soldiers, civilians, and crew. Within minutes, the doomed ship had listed 30 degrees to starboard, throwing confused and panicked men from their feet as they tried to escape their berths and reach the upper deck. Those who were fortunate enough to gain the open air found more chaos and horror. Ice had frozen some of the release mechanisms for the lifeboats, men were shouting and racing about looking for escape, and the frigid waters of the North Atlantic meant death to anyone leaping from the decks. Of that crew and its complement of passengers, only 230 survived this disaster. Among the dead and missing were four Army chaplains: Roman Catholic priest Lt. John Washington, Jewish rabbi Lt. Alexander D. Goode, Methodist minister Lt. George L. Fox, and American Reformed Church minister Lt. Clark V. Poling.

Volunteers All George Fox was the oldest of the Dorchester chaplains. Born in 1900, he grew up under the thumb of a tyrannical father. In part to escape that home, he enlisted in the Army and served as a medic in World War I, earning the Silver Star and several Purple Hearts for his heroism. As a civilian, he worked a number of jobs before attending seminary and becoming a minister, assigned to several Methodist churches in Vermont. Married and with two children, he rejoined the Army as a chaplain in 1942 on the same day that his son enlisted in the Marine Corps.

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Designed by sculptor Eugene Daub, the medal was created for the 2014 JewishAmerican Hall of Fame and honors the Four Chaplains: (L–R) George Fox, John Washington, Alexander Goode, and Clark Poling.

Rabbi Alexander D. Goode

Reverend Clark V. Poling

Reverend George L. Fox

Father John P. Washington

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History | Interfaith Cooperation

These pages ar in the p A painting by Robert Lavin illustrating Coast Guardsmen from the cutter Escanaba rescuing survivors from the torpedoed USAT Dorchester on Feb. 3, 1943.

Alexander Goode, born in 1911, was an excellent student and athlete intent on becoming a rabbi like his father. Though struggling to make ends meet during the Great Depression, he entered college, obtained his B.A., and in 1937 acquired another degree from Hebrew Union College. He married Theresa Flax, the daughter of a rabbi, and served in two synagogues before joining the chaplain corps after Pearl Harbor. Born in 1908, and nearly blinded in one eye with a BB as a boy, John Washington was rejected by the Navy. Guessing correctly that his Army medical examiners wouldn’t notice, and hoping that God would forgive his deception, he covered his weak eye both times while undergoing the vision test, passed his physical, and joined up. Ordained in 1935, he had served in three parishes before joining the war effort.

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Clark Poling hailed from a long line of ministers. His father was a well-known radio evangelist and the editor for a Christian newspaper. Born in 1910, like Goode he was an excellent student and athlete. He attended college and then graduated from Yale’s School of Divinity. He had worked as a pastor for two churches when the war came, and June 1942 found him exchanging civilian life for the military. In November of that same year, these four chaplains found themselves stationed at Camp Myles Standish in Massachusetts. Hoping to be assigned to a combat unit, all four men were disappointed that they were being posted instead to an Army base in Greenland. On January 23, they were aboard the Dorchester when it sailed from New York, part of a convoy guarded by three Coast Guard cutters.

“Aboard the Dorchester were 902 soldiers, civilians, and crew.

Interfaith Cooperation | History

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Dedicated on the 70th anniversary of the Dorchester’s sinking, sculptor Timothy Schmalz’s 16-foot bronze memorial at St. Stephen’s Church in Kearny, N.J., depicts the last eyewitness account of the Four Chaplains praying together.

NOV. – D EC. 2026 |

Culture | Country Music

The

Sound America

Writer and historian Don Cusic shares how country music and American culture grew together By Rebecca Day

he story of country music is, in many ways, the story of America. “Country music has always done more than entertain. It documents ordinary life. It turns family history into melody. … It turns small towns into poetry and heartbreak into something people can sing together,” the American Country Network magazine wrote. The sounds that went on to define country music were heard in America before it ever became an official genre: The lofty notes of violins spread across the Appalachian region, and the earthy tones of acoustic guitars emanated through Southern swamps and farmlands. The relationship, however, has never been one-way. America helped shape country music, and country music helped Americans express and understand the culture around them. The genre’s founding is often traced to the summer of 1927, when historic recording sessions in the small border town of Bristol, Tennessee, captured the music of the rural South. Though those sessions have often been called the “Big Bang” of country music, the genre’s melodic roots date back much earlier.

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Regarded as the “Father of Country Music,” Jimmie Rodgers poses as “The Singing Brakeman” for a studio portrait with Victor Talking Machine Company in 1931.

Country Music | Culture

“The sounds that went on to define country music were heard in America before it ever became an official genre.

‘The First Defining Sound’ Today, country music is considered quintessentially American. But its musical roots trace back to the 18th century, to a cluster of historically influential islands across the pond. “All of those roots go back to the British Isles in the 1700s,” Belmont University professor and historian Don Cusic shared with American Essence magazine. Styles we refer to as folk music today were played on acoustic instruments, often the guitar or violin, and in string bands. Those sounds traveled across the Atlantic with the immigrants who brought them to America. “Those acoustic instruments, those were the first defining sound,” Cusic said. As America took shape, so did country music. Folk blended with gospel and blues, and by the early 1900s, a whole new genre had emerged in the United States. In 1927, the Victor Talking Machine Company arrived in Bristol to capture these traditional styles on tape—setting the stage for an undiscovered railroad worker to help define the genre’s modern era. Known affectionately as “The Singing Brakeman,” Mississippi-born Jimmie Rodgers traveled America by train in the early 1900s, fulfilling his role as brakeman by day and entertaining his fellow railroad workers by night. After he arrived in Bristol, he recorded with Victor producer and talent scout Ralph Peer. Rodgers had only written a few originals at the time, but they would go on to become the genre’s songwriter standard. Country music has long been considered a blue-collar genre, a type of music that appeals to hard-working, family-oriented people. Farmers, small business owners, and railroad workers gravitated toward it due to Rodgers’s music. His unbridled yodeling technique—a definitive sound of Swiss and

ABOVE

Country singer and professional baseball player Charley Pride recorded 29 No. 1 hits from 1969 to 1983, including his famous “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’.” FAR ABOVE

Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton in a publicity photo for the country music variety program “The Porter Wagoner Show” in 1969.

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Culture | Country Music

German lineage that journeyed to the New World— filled his audience with nostalgia. But Rodgers also captivated them with narrative songs about love, loss, and adventure. Listeners felt a kinship with his unmistakably Southern sound and the lyrical stories woven throughout his songs. From fast-paced tales to wild romances and everyday struggles, Rodgers blended blues, gospel, and folk with his acoustic guitar and warbly voice. His music showed everyday Americans that they had stories worth telling, and listeners responded in kind. The appeal of these narrative tunes expanded the genre, taking it outside of the Southeastern region and into the West. Story-songs, a general term used to describe ballads and tunes with a plot structure and imageladen lyrics, are now a standard in contemporary music. But early country music pioneered the form, and Rodgers introduced many listeners to it. The relatable songs created connecting threads and mass appeal throughout the early-20th-century nation, a nation both industrious and sentimental. Then, technological advancement in the mid-1900s grew the genre even more.

Glen Campbell with a guest appearance by Ray Charles on “The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour” variety show, 1969.

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Adapting to the Modern World For the first couple of decades, country music remained closely tied to its acoustic tradition. By the 1920s, traditional instruments of African origin— most notably the banjo, long rooted in Southern blues and spirituals—fully integrated into the acoustic and amplified string bands. As musicians from diverse backgrounds played together, these distinct styles fused, shaping the core instruments of the genre. It took the country genre longer than others to go electric. Early country musicians were dedicated to the acoustic tradition. But access to venues capable of supporting amplification also played a role in the genre’s adopting electric instruments. “They were playing where there wasn’t any electricity,” Cusic said. Then, the innovative years of post-war America pushed country music to follow. America grew rapidly after World War II, and so did the country music genre. When country musicians adopted an amplified sound widely in the mid1940s, they produced several nuanced offshoots. “[At the] end of World War II, you’ve got country music going in different directions,” Cusic said. Western Swing sprung up in states like Texas and Oklahoma and areas like Los Angeles. Bluegrass, which developed from early string band music, took shape in Kentucky. In Southern states, where faith was at the center of family and community, gospel standards and spirituals were favored among listeners. At the same time, the honky-tonk sound populated the airwaves. “And so, you’ve got all of those under the same genre, and you can see one influencing the other,” Cusic said. By the mid-20th century, country music had established a powerful foothold that reflected the realities of America’s daily life—built on hard work, family ties, and devotion to community. Yet as technology and the entertainment industry expanded, the music transformed once more: Electricity introduced new regional styles, and its screen debut turned country from a local sound into a national and cultural commodity. During the mid-20th century, the children of working-class America were spending summer days at the movie theater watching Gene Autry in films like “The Last Round-Up” and dreaming of riding horseback across the Western plains. Mothers felt comfortable allowing their children to go to the theater to catch a singing-cowboy flick because the

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Country Music | Culture

“Today, country

music is considered quintessentially American.

Johnny Cash and The Carter Sisters on “The Johnny Cash Show” between 1969 and 1971.

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main characters embodied virtues they wanted their children to live by—virtues like courage, integrity, workmanship, and occasionally a sense of adventure. As singing cowboy films played in movie theaters across America, the genre grew and transformed yet again. “The singing cowboys … came out of the movie industry,” Cusic said. Gene Autry, Roy Rodgers, and the Sons of the Pioneers brought country-associated sounds and imagery to a much larger audience. And while, at first, the genre grew because listeners felt deeply attached to the sounds and

the lyrics spoke to their own lives, the contemporary transformation brought on by the singing cowboys happened for a more practical reason. “It developed because it sold,” Cusic said. “You know, it’s a business.” He explained that though artistic capability was a factor in their success, it also had to do with audience capture: “If it doesn’t sell, it’s not that it’s not good aesthetically,” Cusic said. “Things aren’t judged aesthetically. You know, it sells, or it doesn’t sell. And so, that economic base, that business base is what drove it.” Technology gave rise to a market for the genre,

On Country Music, Expert Don Cusic Internationally known scholar and writer Don Cusic is one of the foremost historians of country music. In 2022, he was inducted into the Western Music Hall of Fame. Throughout his lucrative, five-decade-long career in the music business, Cusic has authored more than 25 books on country music, including biographies of Roger Miller, Eddy Arnold, Gene Autry, and Chet Atkins. He serves as Curb Professor of Music Industry History and Professor of Music Business at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee—a post he’s held since 1994. Cusic’s latest book, “Country Bob: Dylan and Country Music,” debuted this October.

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Culture | Snow Scenes

The Pastoral Winters of George Henry Durrie The landscape artist’s idyllic scenes captured the ordinary backdrop of daily life in 19th-century America

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“A Christmas Party” by George Henry Durrie, 1852. Oil on canvas.

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By Sarah Isak-Goode

amilies gathered close, warm against the cold, as winter light spilled over farmhouse walls and soft snow draped across the fields. George Henry Durrie (1820–1883) famously painted these scenes of daily life in rural New England. Today, these paintings read as something else entirely, offering glimpses of a slower, more idyllic era.

Faith, Family, and the Portrait Trade Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Durrie was the second of six children. Starting in 1839, he and his brother John Jr. trained on and off under local portrait painter Nathaniel Jocelyn, an experience that shaped Durrie’s early artistic development.

Snow Scenes | Culture

“Winter in the Country,” 1857. Oil on canvas.

That artistic inclination extended beyond the canvas. Durrie played both violin and bass viol and sang regularly in church choirs. It was at choir rehearsals that he met Sarah A. Perkins, the daughter of the choir-master. The two married in 1841 and had three children: George, Benjamin, and Mary. For much of his early career, Durrie earned his living primarily through portraiture, charging between $5 and $15 per painting. His clientele was largely local residents who commissioned portraits and purchased his early landscapes. These sales provided a moderate income, and to supplement his earnings, Durrie took on additional work such as retouching old portraits and decorating window shutters. As a young portraitist seeking work, Durrie traveled regularly across the Connecticut countryside, and on these journeys he discovered an unexpected passion for landscape painting. He came to love the era’s new railroads and the scenery

“He viewed

winter not as a season of stillness but of activity.

unspooling past their windows. Unlike his formal training in portraiture, this new pursuit would be almost entirely self-taught. He filled his early sketchbooks with pencil studies of outdoor scenes, including numerous studies of solitary trees, which reflected a working method rooted in direct observation of nature. The towns, hills, and farmland of Connecticut, particularly the area surrounding New Haven, became his primary subject matter. It was here that he developed the signature composition that would define much of his career: a farmhouse or schoolhouse, set within a broad landscape and enlivened by a few small figures or animals.

Finding His Season Where many of his Hudson River School contemporaries favored summer scenes, Durrie turned to winter, capturing landscapes defined by a peaceful atmosphere and unmistakably New England character. NOV. – D EC. 2026 |

Culture | Snow Scenes

Durrie’s account book shows he began selling landscapes to local patrons around 1843. An October 14 entry that year records $20 from Mrs. Horace Daggett for three works: a portrait, a miniature, and a landscape. Nearly a year passed before he sold another landscape, again to the Daggett family, this time for $7. His early landscape subjects tended to be local scenes, likely because his existing portrait patrons were the most natural buyers for paintings of places they knew well. Durrie exhibited his first landscape in 1844, when a now-lost work titled “Winter Scene” appeared at the New Haven State Fair alongside five of his portraits. The following year, he took second place at the same fair for two winter landscapes. Local newspapers soon began promoting his winterscapes, and in 1845, he exhibited “Sleighing Party,” also since lost, at the National Academy of Design. The show marked a turning point in his career, as Durrie moved decisively beyond portraiture toward the pastoral winter scenes. By the 1850s, Durrie’s reputation around New Haven had grown to the point that he opened a permanent studio in the city. After 1851, he took on almost no portrait work, devoting himself instead to refining his landscape technique. In 1853, he built a house on Temple Street (then on the edge of downtown), where he lived with his family for the rest of his life. The decade gave him no shortage of material. Winters in 1850s New Haven typically stretched from late November through March, and as the tail end of the Little Ice Age, the period brought prolonged freezes and heavy snowfalls. Although Durrie painted every season, winter dominated his work. Of his nearly 125 attributed paintings, 84 are snow scenes. His journal entries reveal why. He viewed winter not as a season of stillness but of activity, drawing inspiration from both the landscape and everyday experiences such as sleigh rides and gatherings among friends and neighbors. That inspiration comes through in his 1857 “Winter in the Country,” which captures New England’s winter conditions in detail. The painting portrays a provincial winter landscape, with a horse-drawn sleigh traveling along a snow-covered road framed by bare trees, split-rail fences, and distant rolling hills. A cool palette of whites, soft blues, and silvery grays envelops the snow and

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“Winter in the Country,” circa 1858. Oil on canvas. FAR ABOVE

George Henry Durrie’s self-portrait, 1843. Oil on canvas.

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Snow Scenes | Culture

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A hand-colored lithograph of “Home to Thanksgiving” by Currier and Ives after George Henry Durrie, 1867.

sky, while touches of warm color in the buildings, trees, and figures provide a welcoming contrast.

Durrie in Print Durrie’s canvases entered the mainstream when they caught the attention of Currier and Ives, the most influential printmaking firm in 19th-century America. Self-styled as the “Publishers of Cheap and Popular Prints,” the firm built an empire on making images accessible to the American public. In the latter half of the 19th century, its artists churned out two to three new designs every week, ultimately producing more than a million hand-colored lithographs. Each print began as a hand-drawn image, which was then transferred onto a lithographic limestone plate. Once ready, every impression was pulled and colored by hand. The resulting compositions made Currier and Ives prints instantly recognizable in homes across the country, and the firm sought out its artists accordingly, working with some of the era’s most prominent names, including James E. Buttersworth, George Inness, Thomas Nast, and Eastman Johnson. Between 1861 and 1863, Durrie

“Although

Durrie painted every season, winter dominated his work.

earned a place among them, as Currier and Ives published four lithographs based on his paintings. The partnership didn’t end with Durrie’s death. After he passed away in 1863, Currier and Ives published six more of his works. The last of these, “Home to Thanksgiving,” was published in 1867. The print is characterized by a cool palette accented with warmer tones, a hallmark of the artist’s style. It depicts a charming early-winter scene where a young man returns to his family’s farm for Thanksgiving. Durrie’s paintings offer an idealized vision of the countryside, one shaped by his own life in the Connecticut hills he knew so well. His familiarity with the region shows in the local details he included, like nearby farms and rural landmarks, giving his works a sense of authenticity that resonated deeply with his audience. Historian Kathryn Elizabeth Sackett noted: “When purchasing a work by Durrie, patrons were not necessarily looking to buy an original work by a particular artist; instead, they bought a connection to their childhood, to earlier days, or to a simpler way of life.” NOV. – D EC. 2026 |

Why i Love

America

Loving the Red, White, and Blue What loving America means to me, and why I’m committed to teaching the next generations to love this country, too By Charlotte McDonald

s a war baby starting kindergarten in 1949, four years after World War II ended, I remember vividly the sounds of practice air-raid sirens blasting. Children would proceed in quiet order to the school basement during those drills. It was a very real threat that the United States could be attacked again like Pearl Harbor. During those same years, Mother would give me nickels or dimes weekly to purchase war bond stamps to paste into a book, eventually filling two books with $18.75 worth of stamps. War bonds were a loan to the government in case of another conflict.

The author (leftmost, seated) with her fellow third-grade teachers and their students.

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After 10 years, the government promised to pay interest, making it worth $25; they did! As my early school years progressed, my patriotism grew, as I daily recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag with my hand over my heart. In 1952, World War II Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower was elected president. During his first term, he approved adding “under God” to the pledge as citizens recognized God’s hand in protecting our country. Public school required U.S. history and civics classes, but my seventh-grade girls’ glee teacher made it mandatory that we memorize and write all the verses to the national anthem and patriotic songs, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “God Bless America,” and “America the Beautiful.” I have loved singing these songs ever since. In 1959, I dressed up for Halloween commemorating the 49th and 50th stars added to our flag. I donned my ski outfit, hula skirt, and paper lei to celebrate Alaska and Hawaii becoming states. On July 4, 1976, my husband and I were visiting Leif Paulsen, my relative in Bergen, Norway. As we came to his home on the fjord, flying from his flagpole was the “Stars and Stripes,” honoring our 200year Independence Day milestone. I became aware that wherever we went, Norwegians proudly flew their flag from majestic poles outside their homes. I became determined to someday fly our banner from my own. Leif had previously operated a restaurant on a famous hilltop overlooking the ocean in Bergen. During World War II, the Nazis occupied his restaurant and turned it into a military headquarters. Leif was forced to be of service. He was ever thankful for the United States liberating Norway and Europe

from their aggressors and humbly honored us on our holiday, complete with birthday cake and candles. I was the Cub Scout “den mother” (volunteer for a Boy Scout program for younger children) when my boys joined the Boy Scouts. For five years, I taught, among other things, citizenship. Later, I volunteered to be a trainer for 11-year-old Boy Scout leaders in our area. During this time, I became especially interested in teaching flag etiquette and proper flag ceremonies. When my son was looking for an Eagle Scout (the highest rank in the Boy Scouts program) project, we decided that we would set up a flagpole in front of our church building, as a place to teach love and respect for our flag. After taking a break from teaching to raise my children, I went back to the classroom, thus earning money for my bronze home flagpole. As a teacher, I stood with my students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. I taught the entire third grade social studies, which included a unit on government, emphasizing patriotism and encouraging young people to be proud of our country, honor Old Glory, show love for freedoms, and be good citizens. We all proudly memorized the Preamble to the Constitution. Hundreds of years ago, when people began searching for freedom to worship God without fear, they sailed to find a safe haven, a place for a religious people—America. They called it “the Land of Promise,” the place God promised Abraham for his posterity. I love our country! I believe the Constitution to be divinely inspired, written by just and God-fearing men, and that God’s hand will protect her if we serve and worship Him. It was humbling to visit Normandy, France, in 2019. My husband and I visited the American cemetery that is the final resting place for thousands of World War II soldiers who fought on those beaches in 1944 to liberate Europe. As we walked among the headstones, I had an overwhelming spiritual feeling of gratitude to those who gave their lives to free others from tyranny. The U.S.A. continues to be a keeper of world peace. During a conversation with my Norwegian cousin, I asked her why she was so passionate about our presidential elections. She responded, “All countries look to the United States for leadership and safety.” May God continue to bless America to be a beacon of light to the world. As we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary, I pray the Red, White, and Blue will forever wave over the “land of the free and the home of the brave.” Why do you love America? What makes it worth celebrating? What moves you about the people and places that make up our country? Tell us in a personal essay of about 600 to 800 words. We welcome you to send your submission to: Editor@AmericanEssenceMag.com

What Makes Your Hometown Special? Tell American Essence. What special memories do you have about the town or city where you grew up? What makes it unique, and why are you proud to hail from there?

Tell us in 400–500 words. Send along a photo or two of the town itself, a local landmark, or you and your family there—whatever captures your story. Selected submissions will be featured in a future print issue of American Essence. Please send your submissions to:

Editor@AmericanEssenceMag.com NOV. – D EC. 2026 |

My Family Roots

Honoring Papou’s Bravery My grandfather from Greece exhibited true courage, grit, and a love for his adopted country By Mark Lardas

y grandfather, George Nicholas Lardas, was not born a United States citizen. But he bought citizenship with his own blood. Papou (Greek for grandfather) was born in a leap year, February 29, 1892, on Ikaria, a Greek island off the Turkish coast. The family joked that his birthday came just once every four years. Ikaria was named for Icarus. Icarus and his father Daedalus escaped Crete on wings of wax and feathers that Daedalus crafted. Icarus flew too high, crashing into the sea near his namesake island after the sun melted his wings. Like Icarus, Papou could not be contained on one Greek island. At age 15, after several years crewing his family-owned sailing ship, he had an opportunity for a carpentry apprenticeship. The apprenticeship was in Cairo, Egypt. Papou could read, write, and navigate. With another island boy, he sailed an open boat across the Eastern Mediterranean from Ikaria to Alexandria, about 428 nautical miles away. Then he went to Cairo, where he became an accomplished cabinetmaker. My middle son has the tool chest that Papou made after coming to America. He and my Uncle Jack have some of his carpentry tools, including some he made himself.

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These pages ar in the p The author’s grandfather in his World War I Army uniform.

Two of his older brothers had moved to America, and had a restaurant in Youngstown, Ohio. When it started growing, they sent for family to help: Papou and Papou’s younger brother, Louie. Papou went, seeking an adventure bigger than Egypt. As in everything he attempted, he excelled as a restaurateur. Throughout his life, he alternated between cabinetmaking and restaurateuring. He worked in or ran restaurants all over the eastern U.S., from Chicago to New York, mostly workingmen’s diners, but he could make gourmet meals, too. His skill became a family legend. According to my Uncle Jack, Papou could enter a restaurant, sample the menu, and describe how each item was prepared, what spices were used (and in what order), and duplicate them in his restaurant. Then, the United States entered World War I. Still a Greek national, he enlisted in the U.S. Army.

The National Guard “Buckeye” Division took volunteers from Ohio and West Virginia. Ohio draftees went to the 83rd Infantry Division. The Buckeye Division went overseas in June 1918 and fought during the Meuse-Argonne offensive. Papou was a scout, often operating independently in no-man’s-land. During the battle, he was badly injured. A shell exploded near him, injuring him in the ankle and head. His helmet saved his life. It stopped most of the fragments, but one fragment pierced the helmet and became lodged in his skull. In the 1960s, he would show my brothers and me a spot near the top of his forehead where a piece of shrapnel remained. He spent the last month of the war recuperating. When he left the Army in 1919, he had earned several medals and U.S. citizenship. He was proud of being an American, of how he earned citizenship. Between the wars, he ran a restaurant and was a cook in another. When the Great Depression hit in 1929, he was a cook at a restaurant whose customers mainly worked at East Chicago’s Inland Steel mill. It went bust. By then he was married, with four children. He sent his family to Ikaria in 1931, where they could have a more stable life. He stayed in

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America, moving wherever jobs were and sending them money to live on. For him, Depression-era America still offered more opportunities than his home island. Finally, in 1936, he brought them back to America. During World War II, too old to serve, he worked as a carpenter at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. In my teens, in the 1970s, I built a model of the World War II battleship USS New Jersey. Papou saw it and pointed to a spot on the superstructure. He told me he helped build the chart room there. Postwar, he relocated to Detroit. It was booming in the 1940s and he opened a restaurant there, usually working 80-hour weeks. My dad was in Ann Arbor, Michigan. We would see Papou on occasional visits. In the 1970s, late in life, he closed his restaurant and moved to Ann Arbor, to be near his eldest son. He worked as a part-time chef in upscale restaurants until he was in his 80s. He did not need to work; he just loved cooking. I got to know him after he moved to Ann Arbor. After coming to America, he taught himself English. He loved reading. I got him a book about the sea every Christmas. I recovered some of them after he died, with his notes in the margins. I still have them. He loved America. When I joined the Army ROTC in college, he called me to say how proud he was about that. He told me he wanted me to have his old World War I helmet. He did not have it, he told me, but the Army did. After he was wounded at the Meuse-Argonne offensive, he wanted the destroyed helmet as a keepsake. At the hospital, he had to give it up, but the Army promised they would return it to him later. When I signed up for ROTC, I assured Papou I would do my best to get it back. I wrote to the Army’s record center in St. Louis about it, but I never heard back. I knew it was likely gone before I started looking, but my keeping that promise made him happy. Is there a family member who has positively impacted your life?

The author (C) on his wedding day with his mother and grandfather.

American Essence invites you to share about your family roots and the lessons passed down from generation to generation. We welcome you to send your submission to: Editor@AmericanEssenceMag.com

NOV. – D EC. 2026 |

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