Dinner's Served

One constant in all of John's books was Sunday dinner.  Every book has a Sunday dinner guest or event.  The scenario was the same.  After church Papa would go out to the ice house and chip the block for putting ice cream maker.  All afternoon the boys took turns turning the crank.  In time it was ready.  By that point Papa's unannounced guest had arrived for dinner and everyone would eat.

John always described the dinners well.  I especially love his description of the first meal Mamma cooked Papa.

Their first meal tasted better to Papa than any of the fancy meals they'd eaten in Denver.  It was the first time he'd ever tasted Mormon gravy.  Mamma had made it by adding flour to the grease left from frying the home-cured ham, allowed it to brown, then added milk, and salt and pepper.  She poured it over hot biscuits.  Mamma had made coffee for Papa, but being a Mormon, she herself drank milk.

Though this dinner wasn't Sunday dinner.  I imagine many of them were much like this.  If you ever want to have a Fitzgerald style dinner, I've added some recipes to help you along.  Have fun.  Enjoy Sunday Dinner.

Election Season

Dear Blog Friends-  In honor of our upcoming election this Tuesday Nov. 2, 2010 I bring you the news from Price, Utah on November 2, 1899.

Tom Fitzgerald (Papa) was out on the streets today looking for election bets on almost any old proposition, but he could find no takers.  The gang appears to be afraid of Fitz.

Friends --  The vote is yours --  don't be afraid -- make Fitz proud.
See you in November.

 

The Great Brains first Hijinks

Can anyone remember T.D. Fitzgeralds first hi-jinks?  

It wasn't the Infamous Water Closet moment.  It was oatmeal cookies.  In honor of his cleverness I have included a great oatmeal cookie recipe.  Feel free make yourself a warm batch.  Grab a favorite book.  And get lost in a world of wonder.  Perfect for an autumn evening.  Enjoy.

1 cup shortening

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

2 Tbsp. water

1 tsp. vanilla

3 cups old-fashioned oats

1 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp salt

Combine shortening, sugars, eggs, water and vanilla: mix well.  Stir together old-fashioned oats, flour, soda, and salt.  Add to shortening mixture.  Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Follow us on Facebook

I have finally done it.  I created a face book fan page for all of us.  The page is The Great Brain Series.


I can't wait to see our friendships grow.  See you on Face Book.

October 5, 1899 Price Election Headquarters

Last we read of Thomas Fitzgerald's political ambitions, he had been named as an alternate for the 1897 election.  Two years later the Eastern Utah Advocate printed the following,

There was a meeting of the town board last Monday night at which the regular routine was gone through with Thomas Fitzgerald, John A. Mathis and A.W. Horsley were appointed judges of election.  The scenery in Town Hall, belonging to the Sunday School was purchased at $30.

I love the addition of the scenery in the piece.  I try to imagine what type of scenery the Sunday School would have that would work well at a judges appointment meeting.  I'd love to hear what you imagine.  Add it to comments.

Thanks - PS. I sent my local ballot in today.  

Election Season

Though John never mentions it in his books, Papa or Thomas Fitzgerald,Sr. was actively engaged in Price politics.  Over the next three weeks leading up to our election I thought I'd post some snippets about his career in local government.

In the October 21, 1897, edition of the Eastern Utah Advocate (Prices newspaper)  we read,

PRICE TOWN DEMOCRATS- Pursuant to call the Price Town Democrats at the meeting house on Friday, October 15....The following committee of three was named to fill any vacancies on the ticket that might occur Albert Bryner, Thomas Fitzgerald and P.I. Olsen.  The above candidates need no introduction to the voters and tax payers of Price.  They are old residents of the valley They have seen Price grow from the tiny settlement to the thrifty town and strategic business center of eastern Utah.

I don't think many people in politics today helped build their towns quite the way the Fitzgeralds did.  I look forward to sharing more of Papa's politics with you in the next couple weeks.  Good Luck in your elections.

School Project Extraordinaire

Among the exciting finds during my research phase was the school project entitled, John Dennis Fitzgerald The Real Great Brain.


In 1992, Michelle Horner, teacher and principal, of a one room school in Wawona, California, embarked on an intensive study of John Dennis Fitzgerald.  Michelle had been to a conference on ways to deepen history study called the Madera Method.  The purpose of the Madera Method is

to teach students through reading, writing and researching historical projects and publishing their works.