January February Country Register 2017

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January – February 2017 | Page 1

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Montana

About Cover Artist Diane Phalen DIANE PHALEN is best known for her popular Americana Quilt Series, a vibrant collection of paintings featuring flowers, cottages, barns, country stores and Amish country life with a rainbow of quilts hanging from porch rails, clotheslines and fences.

Diane rarely picks up a needle but has created more than 300 original quilts within her paintings. Diane often describes her art as “Quilting with my paintbrush.” The Americana Quilt Series will continue to be an ongoing love affair of Diane’s heart.

Diane’s goal is to convey to collectors of her art, the smell of spring flowers, the warmth of a summer day, the mood of an autumn sky or winter sunset and the peace and contentment of nature and her Pennsylvania heritage.

Diane’s work is copyrighted, and it is used here with special permission.

Visit Diane’s web site at www.dianephalen.com Diane Phalen Watercolors 3335 W. Union Street • Allentown, Pennsylvania 18104 610-439-5758

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January – February 2017 | Page 3

Publisher’s Notes

New Years’ Resolutions Can Work!

The Country Register of the Northern Rockies & Great Plains including North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, & Northern Idaho Dee Sleep, Publisher Produced by Chicken Creek Communications 10563 Chicken Creek Road • Spearfish, SD 57783 605-722-7028 Office www.countryregister.com/nrgp www.chickencreek.net Publisher’s contact numbers across the USA & Canada for The Country Register Send $3 to any publisher below to obtain a paper from another area: * Indicates these editions are available on–line at www.countryregister.com.

Country Register Founder: Barbara Floyd, 602-237-6008, info@countryregister.com, located: Phoenix, AX USA * Alabama: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD 21774, 866-825-9217, Fax 866-261-9641 * Arizona: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950 * Arkansas: Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, lenda@countryregister.com * California: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, P 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950 Colorado: Jan & John Keller, 16755 Oak Brush Loop, Peyton, CO, 80831, 719-749-9797 * Connecticut: Michael Dempsey, 10213 Fanny Brown Road, Raleigh, NC, miked@countryregister.com * Delaware: Merle and Gail Taylor, P.O. Box 594, New Market, MD, 21774, info@countryregisteronline.com * Florida: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, florida@countryregisteronline.com * Georgia: Linda Parish, P.O. Box 389, Lexington, GA, 30648, tcrga@windstream.net * Idaho (N): Dee Sleep, 10563 Chicken Creek Rd., Spearfish, SD 57783, 605-722-7028, dee.sleep@chickencreek.net * Idaho (S): Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, P 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950 * Illinois: Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, lenda@countryregister.com * Indiana: Gail & Merle Taylor, P.O. Box 594, New Market, MD, 21774, info@countryregisteronline.com Iowa: Linda Glendy, P.O. Box 6, Tama, IA, 52339, IowaCountryRegister@mchsi.com * Kansas: Cindy Baldwin, 988 9th Ave., McPherson, KS 67460, kansas@countryregister.com * Kentucky: Chris & Kelly Kennedy, 5804 Whiterose Way, New Market, MD 21774 443-243, cowprintdesigns@gmail.com Maine: Gail Hageman, 221 Winslow Rd, Albion, ME 04910, 207-437-2663 * Maryland: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com * Massachusetts: Michael Dempsey, 10213 Fanny Brown Road, Raleigh, NC , 27603, countryregister@bellsouth.net Michigan: Bill and Marlene Howell, 3790 Manistee, Saginaw, MI, 48603-3143, 989-793-4211 * Minnesota: Kim & Mickey Keller, 12835 Kiska St. NE, Blaine, MN, 55449, minnesota@countryregister.com * Missouri: Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, lenda@countryregister.com * Montana: Dee Sleep, 10563 Chicken Creek Rd., Spearfish, SD 57783, 605-722-7028, dee.sleep@chickencreek.net * Nebraska: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950 * Nevada (N): Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, P 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950* Nevada (S): Glena Dunn, 4568 Carol Circle, Las Vegas, NV, 89120, 702-523-1803 New Hampshire: Kathleen Graham, 330 North Road, Deerfield, NH, 03037, countryregister@metrocast.net * New Jersey: Merle and Gail Taylor, P.O. Box 594, New Market, MD, 21774, info@countryregisteronline.com New Mexico: Jan & John Keller, 16755 Oak Brush Loop, Peyton, CO, 80831, 719-749-9797 * New York: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com * North Carolina: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 888-942-8950 * North Dakota: Dee Sleep, 10563 Chicken Creek Rd., Spearfish, SD 57783, 605-722-7028, dee.sleep@chickencreek.net * Ohio: Barb Moore, P. O. Box 37, Cable, OH, 43009, ohiocountryregister@yahoo.com * Oklahoma: Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, lenda@countryregister.com * Oregon: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950 * Pennsylvania: Dave & Amy Carter, PO Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com * Rhode Island: Michael Dempsey, 10213 Fanny Brown Road, Raleigh, NC , 27603, miked@countryregister.com * South Carolina: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 888-942-8950 * South Dakota: Dee Sleep, 10563 Chicken Creek Rd., Spearfish, SD 57783, 605-722-7028, dee.sleep@chickencreek.net * Tennessee: Chris & Kelly Kennedy, 5804 Whiterose Way, New Market, MD 21774 443-243, cowprintdesigns@gmail.com * Texas: Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, lenda@countryregister.com * Utah: Available * Vermont: Chris & Kelly Kennedy, 5804 Whiterose Way, New Market, MD 21774, cowprintdesigns@gmail.com * Virginia: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com * Washington: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950 * West Virginia: Dave & Amy Carter, PO Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com * Wisconsin: Scott & Jennifer Hughes, P. O. Box 276, Altoona, WI, 54720, jennifer@countryregisterofwisconsin.com * Wyoming: Dee Sleep, 10563 Chicken Creek Rd., Spearfish, SD 57783, 605-722-7028, dee.sleep@chickencreek.net CANADA * Alberta: Ruth Burke, P.O. Box 97, Heisler, AB, T0B2A0,780-889-3776, countryregab@yahoo.com * British Columbia: Bryan Stonehill, Box 1338, Summerland, BC, V0H 1Z0, 800-784-6711 * Manitoba & Saskatchewan: Scott & Marj Kearns, Box 850, Kipling, SK, S0G 2S0, countryregister@sasket.net * Ontario: Harriet Ramos, Box 60, 4338 Innes Rd., Orleans, ON K4A 3W3, 343-882-5812

My New Years’ resolution is to “Take Better Care of Myself” in 2017. I’ve made resolutions in the past with mixed results, so this year I decided to do a little research to learn what I can do to increase my chance for success.

It is estimated that about half of all Americans participate in the New Years’ resolution tradition. While only a small percentage of those who make common resolutions, such as weight loss, exercise programs, quitting smoking, etc., actually succeed, their success rate is still much higher than those who chose not to make resolutions. So making a resolution can be a great first step towards positive change!

Dee Sleep After that, research shows I need to be realistic with my goals, not set too many goals, and I need to keep Publisher of track of my progress. So “Take Better Care of Myself” The Country Register might be too general. Perhaps instead I should say, “Drink of ND, SD, WY, More Water” and “Lose 20 Pounds.” A system of small MT & N. ID measurable goals is best to help work towards a larger goal. For example, I should aim to lose one pound a week instead of just saying “Lose 20 Pounds.” And maybe I should say “Drink 32 ounces of water daily,” and I should keep track of my water intake and monitor my weight loss (or gain). It also helps to make your goals public and to get support from friends, particularly for women. I’ve already done that here, but I should also share my resolution on Facebook as the gifts of support and accountability cannot be overemphasized.

There are lots of pieces to “Take Better Care of Myself,” but it’s a noble and important goal, nonetheless. While time and money are also limited, I only have one “me.” Best wishes to everyone else making a resolution and Happy New Year!

The Country Register of the Northern Rockies & Great Plains January – February 2017 • Volume 7 Issue 1 The Country Register of the Northern Rockies & Great Plains is published every two months. Copyright © 2017.

Reproduction or use, without permission, of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited by law. The Country Register is a registered business trade name. Chicken Creek Communications produced The Country Register of the Northern Rockies & Great Plains.

Subscription price: 1 year, 6 issues, $18.00. Single copies: $3.00. This paper is furnished free at each advertiser, highway welcome centers tourism centers, shows, events, and other selected locations throughout North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, and Northern Idaho.

Articles published in this newspaper, which are contributed from outside sources, express the opinions of their authors only and may not express the viewpoints of the management and staff of The Country Register. Such articles that are accepted for publication herein may be edited at the sole discretion of the publisher.

Responsibility for products advertised in this newspaper lies with the advertisers themselves. Though The Country Register will not knowingly publish fraudulent materials or fraudulently obtained materials, we are not liable for any damages arising from the purchase or use of products advertised herein.

Index: See page 11 for advertiser’s index.

Next Deadline: Ads and articles for the March/April 2017 issue are due February 7, 2017.

Page 4 | January – February 2017

How to Banish The January Blues Christmas and New Year’s have come and gone, the hustle and bustle, the frantic baking and shopping are done, and it’s now really Winter, with a capital W. The house looks kind of bare, and sounds too quiet. There are still many things you can do though, that will make these doldrums pass quickly to spring! n Go check out the nearest senior’s lodge and volunteer to teach a craft class one afternoon. Make it something simple that can be finished in a short time, say 90 minutes. n If you are a member of a collector’s club, offer to show your hobby or collection to a Senior’s group or to the local Guide and Scout groups. n Go volunteer at your local food bank, they need your help more now than ever. Ask your community support group if there is someone who needs a hand, cooking meals or cleaning. n Check up on the shut-ins, the elderly, or the overwhelmed young Mum next door. Often, a visit with fresh baking and compassionate ears is priceless. n Offer to read at story-time at the Day Care or the Library. n Send for free seed catalogues, and take them to a community centre, and plan for the beauty you can create in your neighbourhood in the spring. n Go to a travel film evening, take a friend to tea, just get moving. Search the events calendar in your area, the church bulletins, the events posted on Kijiji, or on the Facebook events link. n If none of the above works for you, put aside an hour a day and tackle the sorting/mending/ decorating/reading that you’ve meant to do for so long.

We can all feel better about the short, dark winter days when we participate, when we help others, when we have something to offer. The warm days of spring will come, I promise!

By Celia Benedict / promotion & distribution – The Country Register of Alberta

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Quilting with Barbara

Everyone – even Quilters – Should Recycle Everything – even Textiles Happy New Year! May 2017 be kinder to us than 2016 with its political upheavals, celebrity deaths, wars and general unrest in so many parts of the world. The new year is the traditional time to resolve to make our lives – and perhaps a small part of our world – better.

A few months ago I had the privilege of attending an eye-opening presentation at the Recycling Council of Alberta conference. Three speakers from various parts of the country gave attendees a lot to think about in a short time. Why is an account of recycling facts and initiatives in a quilting column? Well, as I found out, the hottest and newest recycling news concerns textiles, something familiar to most of us, and quilters in particular. We can make small differences in our habits, resulting in benefit to all.

First, a little background… We heard, for instance, that in one Ontario city their textile diversion rate (reclamation or recycling of materials to keep them out of a landfill) is over 75%, rapidly rising to their goal of 90%.

This measure includes all textiles, including such things as carpets and draperies, as well as clothing, shoes and other fabrics. Another jurisdiction is considering banning the disposal of usable textiles in personal garbage, using only clear disposal bags to enforce this ban. (Each family will be allowed one opaque, “privacy” bag per week).

A third speaker, a former fashion buyer, is presently completing her PhD. in textile diversion. What an about-face for her! Her research has shown that, on the average, Canadians buy 64 garments per person per year, many of which end up in landfills rather than being repurposed. Unbelievable! (I wondered who is buying my other 55 garments, but I digress). All speakers targeted cheap “fast fashion” offshore imports as a major part of the problem. Because these items are so inexpensive, we feel no compunction about throwing them in the garbage after a few wearings. They end up in the landfill.

Unfortunately our imports are increasing in number every year, and so are our landfills.

Many of these items could be recycled either mechanically (shredded and repurposed) or chemically, but those methods are not always

a satisfactory solution, as they require energy, water and land.

We quilters consider ourselves knowledgeable about textiles and their uses. After all, weren’t quilters among the earliest recyclers, originally re-using good pieces of fabric from worn-out clothing and other household fabrics? Some, one of my grandmothers among them, used worn blankets for the inside layer of a “new” quilt.

That was in the past. What about today?

If we’re totally honest we admit, rarely, that we may have just a little more fabric than we actually need. (Shhh … think stash). We do have plans for it of course, and we do have scraps, but they’re not doing anybody any good while they’re hiding in our stashes, and they may very well be consigned to the landfill if our heirs don’t understand their value. So what can we quilters do?

Suggestions include: n Make ourselves aware of uses other than quilting; (e.g.) many of us already use scraps of fabric and batting for beds for animal shelters but there are myriads of additional possibilities; n Buy less “fast fashion” from offshore; try for quality rather than quantity (says the former fashionista!); n Realize that all donations can be used by someone for something somewhere. Even single shoes can be used, according to one of the speakers; not everyone has two feet, especially in war-torn countries; n Actively search for and think about solutions (e.g.) government-sponsored programs; n Support NGO organizations such as Days for Girls (daysforgirls.org) with materials and time.

You will be astounded at their accomplishments, but there is more to be done; n Participate in fund-raising to pay for transportation of these goods to where they will do the most good.

Let’s try to make our world in 2017 a better place, each with our own small efforts. To paraphrase Margaret Mead, the ground-breaking anthropologist, “Never doubt what a difference a small group of dedicated people can accomplish.”

Barbara Conquest writes her column from Blue Sky Quilting in Tofield, AB. © Barbara Conquest.

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January – February 2017 | Page 5

Wyoming Salvage Style

Holiday Trunk Top

Part 1 of 3

Salvage Style is all about taking something, destined for the trash, and making it useful or decorative or just plain fun. I think this project does all that. It is the top of an old trunk lid. If it could talk, I am sure it would have many stories to tell.

I cleaned this up and then sprayed it with clear polyurethane, to help retard future rust and give it a little shine. I painted the word JOY on it and sprayed it again. I drilled holes in the top edge and threaded wire through to make a hanger.

A garland, sprig of pine or even a wreath can be wired into place at the center of the top. This idea can be adapted to any holiday or your own personal decor.

If you have never been junkin’, you should try it at least once. Take a friend or two and spend a day shopping flea markets or garage sales. Keep an open mind and try to see the potential in discarded items. You never know what you might find.

Marla Wilson is the owner of The Rusty Wheel, a gift boutique in Scandia, KS. The shop features her floral designs and repurposed “junk,” as well as kitchen and baby gifts, home decor and fashion accessories. Follow The Rusty Wheel on Facebook, or www.therustywheel.vpweb.com or contact her at stumpy1954@hotmail.com.

Watch for Parts 2 and 3 in the next two issues of The Country Register for instructions on Blocks 2 and 3.

Page 6 | January – February 2017

Choose Cheer Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7

The man had decided what to give. He would surprise his wife with bags of her favorite Valentine’s candy. He had heard her say how much she loved the sweet hearts candy and how she never seemed to get her fill. February should not be the only month to sell these candy hearts. She could snack on them all year round.

When he passed them on the shelf, the candy seemed to call out to him. CALL ME. LOVE. U R KIND. BE MINE. Those candies will be hers he thought. He cheerfully cleared out the shelf and filled his shopping basket. He felt proud of himself for listening and paying attention.

He felt pleased that he had remembered their conversation. He knew his new bride would be amazed! He could not wait to see the look on her face when he brought home a big bundle of boxes of colorful hearts.

He announced he was home and giddily placed the first box on the counter. He waited while the tiny sugar shapes stared through their window. She smiled and said thank you.

He had been thinking of her while he was out and she noticed. Then two more boxes of chatty candy appeared. She smiled, giggled, and thanked him again. His grin grew even bigger as he presented three additional boxes of candy. Feeling like an outsider to an inside joke, she returned the grin with a hint of a frown and a slight question mark at the end of her gratitude. He confidently assured her that she would have more than a month’s worth of her favorite candy.

Her question had been answered, and her smile turned into a genuine laugh. His sincere effort and generous nature would not go unacknowledged. She appreciated his thoughtfulness.

She would remember this cheerful giver and this moment for the rest of her life. She could not remember, however, ever loving this candy.

Later when she pulled a package of sweet tart hearts from her purse, she knew how the confusion began. She would not spoil his surprise. She did not want to hurt his feelings. She could not find a way to tell him that she prefers Sweetarts over Sweethearts. She just could not find the words … even though she had six boxes full of confectionary words to choose from.

Ten years and countless conversation hearts later, she still accepts his traditional Valentine gift with a smile. For God loves a cheerful giver, and so does she. © Maranda K. Jones new book “Random Acts” is now available on amazon.com.

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MARY BROOKS PICKEN The Sewing Industry’s Most Influential Woman Modern Sewing has its many influential people who have shaped the way you sew, where you sew, and how you sew. We know the names of Eleanor Burns, Nancy Zieman, Alex Anderson and many talented women who introduced us to new ways to design and fabricate everything from quilts to home décor. These women are held up in modern times as leaders in the sewing industry and their means of delivery has been in large part through television and the internet along with many published books.

Let me introduce you to the most influential woman that literally transformed thousands of women from ordinary clothing menders, to clothing specialists, capable of making a living and improving their homes with their sewing machines. At a time when most women were not able to vote, and less than 10% worked outside the home, a widowed woman from the Midwest moved East and began the most fascinating and influential career in sewing I believe I have ever witnessed.

Her name is Mary Brooks Picken, and if you stop for a moment, and look through your library of sewing books, you may find The Singer Sewing Book , published by Singer in 1949, and written by this remarkable woman. This book is the authority on proper sewing technique covering everything from dressmaking to rugmaking. Although, upon closer inspection of your library, you may find several of her books, since she wrote 91 during her career.

I find writing 91 books exceptional. Why? By the time she was 28 years old in 1914, Mary had already written 64 textbooks and two dressmaking courses for the popular International Correspondence School located in Scranton, Pa. Widowed at the age of 25, she was recruited by the school and opened the Women’s Institute under the ICS parent company. Courses offered at the institute were in sewing, dressmaking, millinery, and cooking. At 35 years of age, Ms. Picken had earned the role of Vice President for the Women’s Institute and a million dollar structure was built across the street from the ICS June 3rd, 1920.

The 125,000 women enrolled mainly from the United States, but also internationally, earned the praise from many influential sources including the U.S. commissioner of education at the time, P.P. Claxon. “In America at least, the home is the most important of all institutions” for it is the home that establishes the “physical, mental, and moral education” of children.” During the same period from 1920 thru 1925 Mary was editor of her quarterly publication, Fashion Service, and enrollment at her institute doubled to 253,000 enrollees.

Women from all over the United States wrote to Mary praising the school, and its education

courses for improving their skills all around. In addition to earning money on the side to help support their family, women were opening businesses and supporting themselves. During early 1920s, “Most women were housewives, but by this time, a significant number of women did work outside the home, or even within it to earn money. Figures released when the cornerstone of the building was laid show for every 100 women enrolled in courses, 63 were married, 34 were single and three were widowed. Sixty-three percent of students studied to meet or enhance the requirements of their own home.

Out of every 100, 17 planned to establish their own businesses, nine to prepare for a position in a business and 11 for both home and professional roles.” (Kashuba, 2011) Having accomplished the monumental task of opening a school advancing women’s domestic skills, Mary moved forward and “begins a career in advertising with Singer Sewing, Dennison Crafts, and The Spool Cotton Company” (Barickman 2010).

The Women’s Institute survived until 1937, due to a downturn from the Great Depression. In 1939 Mary opened the Mary Brooks Picken school on Madison Ave. in New York. She also released 3 books on fashion that same year.

During World War II there was a huge revitalization in sewing and women were encouraged to repurpose old clothes. The women who had completed courses from the Women’s Institute were skilled in accomplishing this and many were writing to magazines about what they had altered and renewed. By 1942 fabric sales were up by 50 percent over the previous year, and in 1943 70 million patterns were sold over the counter.

In 1949, Mary at the age of 63, wrote “The Singer Sewing Book,” which in 2 years sold 380,000 copies, and at its completion of printing sold over 8 million copies. At the age of 74, she was syndicated, writing a weekly column that reached 300 newspapers.

Not much is written about her golden years, and she died the 6th of March, 1981 at the age of 94.

Mary Brooks Picken led an extraordinary life, and not only made a wonderful career from sewing and writing, but directly influenced women to take pride in their craftsmanship, and encouraged other towards entrepreneurship. I wonder today how many of Mary’s techniques are being replicated as “new” or “modern” in the sewing industry. Her methods taught women to abandon the ordinary, mundane task of sewing, and instead put their new skills toward making their homes and family fashionable and stylish. Mary Brooks Picken, an exceptional woman, whose techniques are still utilized today in everything we sew.

By Kimberly Chaffee: For further reading I encourage you to pick up a copy of “Vintage Notions” by Amy Barickman.

The book is a compilation of patterns, techniques, recipes, and other things taught by Mary Brooks Picken at the Women’s Institute.

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January – February 2017 | Page 7

South Dakota

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Page 8 | January – February 2017

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The Everyday and Mundane During a recent snowstorm, an illustration of the song, “Your Grace Finds Me” by Matt Redman, bolstered my faith.

It was blizzard conditions at my house, blowing, drifting snow with zero visibility. My contractor, Paul was doing some finishing touches in my garage.

When he was about to leave, I gave him my car keys to pull my car back into the garage. He threw the keys to a co-worker, who was standing in the driveway. However, when the co-worker got into my car, the car key was no longer attached to the ring. Somehow, unnoticed, it broke loose and flipped into the snowy driveway ... somewhere. Half and hour later, after shoveling carefully and sweeping the area with a broom, the contractors gave up. I had a spare car key, so they were able to move my car into the garage, but I could tell Paul was upset about losing the other key.

Meantime, my friend Brian, who plows my driveway, came to clear the snow. I told him about the lost car key, if by a miracle he might see it ... like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

I began to pray as I shoveled off my front steps. Hopefully, I would find the key in the spring. I continued to shovel, watching as I threw the snow in a pile. I was concentrating so hard, I didn’t notice when Brian stepped up to me and said, “Cheryl!” He handed me the car key with a big grin on his face.

All I could do was say, “Praise God, Brian! Thank you!” Tears came to my eyes. How did God do that? He cares about lost car keys in a snowstorm! He does care about the “everyday and mundane”! Your Grace Finds Me.” © Cheryl Potts

The Dropped Stitch

Yarn Color Isn’t Everything From the moment she entered the shop for the exciting big sale, a particular colorful skein of yarn caught her eye, drawing her deeply into a yarn display. She quickly scooped up a few skeins and approached the cashier. But wait—there’s something missing. She didn’t read the skein label that provides valuable information to ensure a successful colorful project. As consumers we are accustomed to reading product labels, especially on food items. Yarn labels, known as bands, are no exception.

With fiber available from all over the world now, reading and understanding band information is crucial for project success.

Standardized global symbols for laundering are listed in knitting books, magazines, and on the internet for easy reference. It’s beneficial to familiarize yourself with their meanings for better yarn selection appropriate for your knitting projects. What? You don’t understand a symbol? The label is in a foreign language? Consult your local yarn store or the internet for assistance.

Look for the following helpful band content before purchasing that luscious yarn.

Yarn name and manufacturer: important in case more yarn needs to be purchased.

Country origin: dyes and their permanence can vary country to country.

Weight of ball/skein: needed for patterns that don’t list needed yardage or meters.

Length of yarn: yards or meters per ball/skein are needed to purchase total project yardage.

Fiber content: recipient may be allergic to certain fibers. Some fibers drape well, if needed, and some stretch with certain patterns.

Gauge: number of stitches and rows in four inches of work is crucial to correct sizing.

Recommended needles: important to acquire proper gauge for correct sizing. Not everyone can knit to gauge so some knitters may need to go up or down in needle size, depending upon how tightly or loosely they knit.

Dye lot number: use the same dye lot for all balls/skeins needed for the project. Mixing dye lots can be disastrous as colors will vary and not blend. Not all blacks or whites are the same.

Color/shade name/number: use the same for all balls/skeins needed for the project. Again, avoid a disaster.

Care: wash, dry, or dry clean instructions? Many a knitted item has been shrunk or felted due to improper care.

Price: probably the biggest decision maker for your purchase.

When gifting your finished project (even to yourself), it is advisable to include a yarn band from the project. Or, at least include the fiber content and care instructions so your gift will last a long time. Proudly include your name.

Labels/ball bands – a must read! ©2017 Sharon Greve. Contact castonshar@charter.net. No reprint without permission.

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South Dakota

January – February 2017 | Page 9

Page 10 | January – February 2017

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Advertiser’s Index Always Your Design, Dell Rapids, SD............................................. 9 The Bakery Fabrics, Belle Fourche, SD..........................................12 Bay Leaf Café, Spearfish, SD.......................................................12

$25 Gift Certificate Winner Patricia McKague – St. Regis, MT

Betty’s Quiltery, Rapid City, SD...................................................12

Won a $25 gift certificate to her favorite advertising shop –

Fiber House, The, Sheridan, WY.................................................... 5

Vicki’s Quilts Down Under,

Knothole, Spearfish, SD..............................................................12

in Missoula, MT

Black Hills Visitor Center, Rapid City, SD....................................... 9 Creative Closet, Townsend, MT..................................................... 2 Dakota Quilt Company, Spearfish, SD...........................................12 Fall River Fibers, Hot Springs, SD.................................................. 7 Heartsong Quilts, Hot Springs...................................................... 7 Nuts & Bolts Fabric Shop, Edgemont, SD........................................ 7

To enter the next drawing, fill out the form below and mail it in!

Quilt Connection, Rapid City, SD.................................................12 Quilt Yard, The, Pierre, SD..........................................................12 Quilters Corner, Faulkton, SD....................................................... 9 South Dakota Quilter’s Guild, SD.................................................12 Strawberry Patch Quilt Shop, Newcastle, WY.................................. 5 Vicki’s Quilts Down Under, Missoula, MT........................................ 2 Wall Drug, Wall, SD..................................................................... 9

Win a $25 Gift Certificate!

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South Dakota Town and Cou ntry Cooking

From Dried to Delicious With December and January come short, cold days and long, even colder nights. Why not warm up your kitchen with a slow-cooking soup featuring dried beans or legumes, and then warm up your insides by slowly savoring each and every spoonful?

This month take time to peruse the dried beans at your favorite market. Pick up some black beans, lentils or split peas. Try some new recipes, and see if you agree with those who say dried is the way to go for nutritious, flavorful soups. Note that in the hierarchy of dried beans, black beans are near the top in terms of prep time, requiring pre-soaking and two or more hours of cooking time. Lentils are near the bottom, requiring an easy 30 minutes or less of cooking time.

The added bonus of slowly cooked, homemade bean soup is that flavors have a chance to build and blend, and you have complete control of all ingredients. Feel free to adjust seasonings to suit your personal taste.

Black Bean Soup

1 pound (approximately 2 cups) dried black beans, cleaned and soaked overnight according to package instructions Water 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon onion powder ½ teaspoon garlic powder 4 strips lean bacon, diced 1 onion, diced ½ cup celery, diced 1 clove garlic, minced 1 cup mild salsa 1 box (32 fluid ounces) beef cooking stock (regular or reduced sodium) Hot pepper sauce, if desired In large cooking pot, soak beans overnight in 6 cups cold water. Drain and rinse beans. Add 6 cups hot water, cumin, onion powder and garlic powder.

Bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover loosely and simmer for 2 to 3 hours, or until beans are soft. Stir occasionally. When beans are soft, fry diced bacon in non-stick skillet until crisp. Drain on paper towel. Discard all but 1 tablespoon bacon drippings. Sauté onion and celery in drippings until soft, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Add garlic and continue cooking 1 minute longer. To create soup, add onion mixture to beans, along with salsa and stock. Transfer at least 1 cup of beans and broth to small blender or food processor to puree. Return mixture to pot. Add bacon. Slowly simmer uncovered for up to one hour, or until soup is desired consistency and flavors have blended. Add hot pepper sauce to taste. Makes about 10 cups soup.

Serving suggestion: For a nutritional boost, add desired amount of fresh, chopped spinach during the last few minutes of cooking. Serve as soon as the spinach has wilted in the soup.

Split Pea Soup

1 16-ounce package green split peas 4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth (regular or reduced sodium) 4 cups water ½ onion, chopped ½ cup diced celery (include tops, if desired) 1 clove garlic, diced 2 whole carrots, trimmed and peeled 1½ cups diced smoked ham (about 6 ounces) ½ teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper Freshly ground black pepper Rinse and drain peas according to package instructions. Place peas in slow cooker and add broth, water, onion, celery, garlic and whole carrots. Cook at high setting for 2 to 3 hours, or until peas are very soft and carrots are tender.

Remove carrots to cutting board. Cut lengthwise and then slice into small pieces. Set aside. Using immersion blender, completely blend peas and liquid. (If immersion blender is not available, use standard blender, but allow mixture to cool before processing in small batches; return to slow cooker.) Add sliced carrots and all remaining ingredients. Cook at low setting for 1 hour. Makes approximately 12 cups soup.

Note: If vegetarian soup is desired, use vegetable broth and omit ham. If meaty-flavored soup is desired, add a ham bone or ham “heel” to split peas while they are cooking. Remove before blending.

Easy Lentil Chili

1 pound ground beef 1 large onion, diced 1 bell pepper, seeded and diced 1 26-ounce jar spaghetti sauce 1 16-ounce jar mild salsa 1½ teaspoons chili powder 1½ teaspoons cumin 6 cups water plus more as needed ¾ cup dry lentils In large pot, brown ground beef. Drain if necessary. Combine all ingredients except lentils and bring to a boil. Rinse and drain lentils according to package instructions; add to pot. Cover and simmer for approximately 30 minutes, or until lentils are tender, stirring occasionally. Add additional water as needed to adjust thickness of chili. Makes at least 12 cups soup.

A trained journalist, Janette Hess focuses her writing on interesting people and interesting foods. She is a Master Food Volunteer with her local Extension service and enjoys collecting, testing and sharing recipes.

January – February 2017 | Page 11

Helping Others We hear so much these days about “paying it forward.”

Apparently it is a new concept to some although where I’m from it’s just what we do, and I would venture to say that is true Peggy Sanders of most readers of this publication.

Between my freshman and sophomore years of college I worked at the gift shop at Mt. Rushmore, a job I’d always wanted to do for a summer. At the base of the mountain is the tiny town of Keystone, population 337, which evolves around the tourism trade. Traversing the highway means climbing a fairly long and steep hill, which when mixed with old radiator hoses and hot days, is not good.

I remember the day I was returning from Keystone and there was a stranded family beside the road with a broken radiator hose. I took the dad to Keystone for help and remember how surprised – and thankful – I was that Keystone had a supply of hoses. I’m sure for them it was a common occurrence and they were prepared. When I returned the dad back to their car he tried diligently to pay me for my assistance. I was nearly insulted and declined the offer because where we live it’s just normal to help.

One of the reasons is we hope someone else would do the same for us and around here they do.

One very hot summer day when our sons were little my car quit while on a major highway. I didn’t know the cause, just that it stopped running. A kind gentleman stopped to help. After I described the symptoms, he went back and removed the gas cap, then put it back on. Problem solved. That was the first I knew about vapor lock and from then on I could handle it by myself. As western South Dakotans are wont to do, we chatted. I knew he looked familiar but couldn’t place him until he told me his name, Manfred Bill. He had been the game warden in our area, and many years had passed since then.

Not long ago I was in Cheyenne, WY, for the Western Writers of America conference. As I was checking out, an older British couple was inquiring the best way to get into the downtown area so they could see the historic town. The desk clerk told them they could walk, “It’s about one and one-half miles, with a little hill,” as she put it. “If you get down there, we will come and pick you up with our van, when you call us.

The man had a walking cane, it was already hot and I knew it was more than a little hill, so I offered them a ride. After seeing how undulating the roadway was, they were especially grateful.

Such a little thing helped them greatly.

It really is the simple things in life that make a difference.

Peggy Sanders is a national-award winning columnist who can be reached through peggy@peggysanders.com.

Page 12 | January – February 2017

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Northern Black Hills, South Dakota