FATHERS
PAUL BIRKHEAD
JUNE 19, 2011

Dad, Daddy, Papa, Pop – no matter what you may have called him or call him still, many of us set aside time in June to honor and remember our fathers. One thing I’ve come to realize is the relationship between fathers and their children can be as complex as it can be sweet. The shelves at Rowan Public Library hold many items that talk about fathers and our relationships with them.

Good Stuff is a new book written by Jennifer Grant, daughter of the late actor Cary Grant. Through her book, Ms. Grant gives the reader a unique view into the private life of her father – a true American icon. It appears that the two shared a special father-daughter relationship and the book is filled with many fond memories and reminiscences. I’m sure those memories were made a lot clearer since Cary Grant took great care in preserving many stories, notes, and tape recordings of their time together.

Our Fathers’ War: Growing Up in the Shadow of the Greatest Generation by Tom Mathews explores the dynamics between sons and fathers from the era of World War II. Mathews’ relationship with his own father, a WWII vet, inspired his book where he reports on ten households that dealt with “generation gap” issues. While some stories are funny, others are truly sad since they drive home the point that not all wounds were left behind on the battlefield. Many times, the relationships between vets and their children were the last casualty of the war.

My Father at 100 is a memoir of Ronald Reagan written by his son, Ron Reagan. The 40th president’s 100th birthday would have been in February of this year. To commemorate this fact, Ron Reagan gives the reader some fascinating background information on the Reagan family; how they ended up in America from Ireland, and what it was like for Ronald Reagan to grow up in the Midwest during the early part of the twentieth-century. My favorite portion of the book was when Ron Reagan writes about visiting sites from his father’s childhood.

One of America’s most endearing journalists has to be the late Tim Russert. I heard him interviewed once about his relationship with his father, Big Russ, and the book he wrote in 2004 about it. I finally got around to checking out Big Russ & Me from the library last year and I was so glad I did. I actually checked out the audio book version and it sure was nice to hear Tim’s voice again. While both Tim and his father are no longer with us, these stories celebrating their special bond remain.

Another item you can listen to is NPR Driveway Moments for Dads. Part of National Public Radio’s “Radio Stories That Won’t Let You Go” series, this audio CD is dedicated entirely to stories about fathers.

Whether you choose to check out a book or an audio CD, Rowan Public Library offers many items to help celebrate fatherhood.

Gretchen Beilfuss Witt
June 2011

Garden delights

Some among us have green thumbs, my mother and daughter-in-law have them; alas I do not. However, this time of year with flowers, herbs and other plants at every corner store, the yearning increases for fresh fruits and vegetables in your shopping basket, your backyard garden patch or on your plate. While it’s true that little improvement can be made to luscious, juicy summer tomatoes lightly salted and drizzled with olive oil, experimenting with garden fare can be just as satisfying. Perla Meyers’ Fresh from the Garden explores garden produce for each season from spring asparagus to winter squash. Each season and vegetable receives a bit of attention including how to garden, serve and store. Recipes follow, short and clear, covering soups, main dishes, relishes and pickles. Simple ingredients and serving suggestions for mouth-watering recipes like Baby Red-Skinned Potatoes in Maple Nutmeg Butter make this an easy and enjoyable cookbook.

Farmer John’s Cookbook created by Farmer John Peterson extols the benefits of organic and community farming with stories, articles and recipes. It is a philosophical cookbook explaining the need for “slow” food versus fast food, organic over chemical. Recipes include Oven Sweet Potato Chips, Ginger Melon Sorbet and cornmeal crusted Fried Green Tomatoes -- a delicious foray into fixing fresh food. Check out your local farmer’s market for more inspiration.

Want to take all that fresh food out into the fresh air? Take a look at Robin Vitetta-Miller’s Picnics. Packed with scrumptious dishes ready to travel, she intersperses recipes with picnic factoids, fun bits of trivia. Did you know pique-niques first appeared in the late seventeenth century more as a potluck with everyone bringing something to the meal? It was not until later that they became excursions into the countryside. From chicken salad with raspberries and walnuts, parmesan cheese twists, and hazelnut half-moon cookies, delectable goodies are ready for a picnic basket. Suggestions for theme meals and perfect beverages accompany packing and wrapping tips.

Topping off this collection of cookbooks for the summer growing season is Simple Fresh Southern Knockout dishes with Down-home flavor by Matt and Ted Lee. Intriguing combinations abound – Watermelon Margaritas, Radish butter and Rice Pudding pops – and give just a glimpse of the tasty provisions waiting. Beautifully illustrated with mouth-watering pictures, this cookbook takes a new look at southern flavor. Pimento-cheese, a staple of southern cooking, is re-invented in Pimento-Cheese Potato Gratin, traditional Lobster rolls inspire Shrimp and deviled-egg salad rolls, and the customary Banana pudding becomes Banana Pudding Parfaits. Fresh fare and good eating await – checkout a cookbook today and tantalize your taste buds.