Lunch among the trees

A Festival of Trees luncheon was held Dec. 5 in the Westbrook-Warren Congregational Church, surrounded in several rooms by the beautifully decorated trees for the 2008 Festival of Trees, which ran from Nov. 29 to Dec. 6.

The luncheon was delicious. Committee member Marion Broaddus made the soup with several vegetables and pasta. The “salads” were rolls filled with tuna or eggs. I had to choose the egg rolls, as on my family picnics, when I was young, my mother always fixed stuffed eggs (the half eggs, after being boiled, were filled with yolks and mayonnaise). This luncheon also included plates of homemade cakes and cookies.

After I paid my entrance fee, I was directed to Pat Wilson’s table in the dining area. I later read on a program I received that Pat Wilson had started the Festival of Trees eight years ago. Good for her, and it still is a big success. I sat beside Nancy Curran, who said that a group she belongs to, 1953 graduates of Westbrook High School, were at that table too, nine of them, who call themselves “The Girls of ’53.” Among them was Sally Knight, whom I enjoyed talking with. She is the wife of Roger Knight, and they own Smiling Hill Farm.

Pianist Doc Stockwell entertained during the luncheon. He is so talented, playing by ear, no music needed.

Bob Lowell, who was a reporter for us when we owned the American Journal, came over to talk with me, and he inquired after Harry. Pat Wilson brought Leslie Bridgers over for me to meet. I enjoy her writing, as well as Bob’s, in the present American Journal, owned by Lee Hews Casler.

Of course, those attending this luncheon had to admire the numerous trees, before or after lunch. The trees filled several areas. They are all decorated by local businesses with much care and in quite a variety of themes. The festival is a big attraction.

Quilts held a secret code

The Dec. 3 lecture of the Westbrook Historical Society was given by Elizabeth Winslow of Falmouth. Her subject: “The Underground Railroad.”

President Donna Conley opened the 1:30 p.m. meeting. Secretary Evelyn Meserve gave her report. Ellie Saunders read the list of November acquisitions: five pieces of uniforms, including a West Point uniform from World War I, from the Spiller family; a 1907 Main Street postcard; three pieces of Rudy Vallee sheet music; a 1940s scrapbook of brides and military items, a gift from Leona Glidden; and a book, “Take My Hand,” by native Harold Titcomb, about 10 days on the Cumberland-Oxford Canal.

Elizabeth Winslow then spoke, describing a handsome Underground Railroad quilt she made with 16 squares signifying the movement of slaves from southern U.S. states to northern states and Canada.

The Underground Railroad was a system for helping black slaves escape to the north in the days before the Civil War. It was really neither underground nor a railroad; it was called that because of the swift, secret way in which slaves seemed to escape.

The Underground Railroad had no formal organization. A large part of its work was done by southern slaves who, though unable to escape themselves, helped runaways with food, clothing and directions. Free blacks in both the South and the North frequently assisted the runaways. The most famous black “railroader” was Harriet “Moses” Tubman (1820-1913). She was a fugitive herself, but she returned to the South 19 times and helped about 300 slaves escape. A $40,000 reward was offered for her capture. About 50,000 slaves escaped between 1830 and 1860. The Underground Railroad was most active in Ohio and Pennsylvania. But by the outbreak of the Civil War, runaways were being helped in every northern state from New England to Kansas. Many fugitive slaves settled in the northern free states. But when Congress passed a strict fugitive slave law, thousands of these settled blacks fled to Canada for safety.

Elizabeth Winslow explained the sampler quilt. Each block in this quilt is a pattern that would be used in making quilts that were used to give signals to the runaway slaves in the early and mid-1800s. The quilts would be hung on a fence or a line by the lady who made it and knew the slaves would be coming by her home.

The “Basket” pattern told them they could get provisions at that house. The “Crossroads” pattern told them to go to a main crossroads, such as Cleveland, Ohio. The “Log Cabin” with a black center told them that was a safe house to stay in. The “Bow Tie” told them to dress in more formal attire, so they wouldn’t stand out. The “Flying Geese” pattern told the slaves they were to take their direction, timing and behavior from the flying geese. Since geese fly north in the spring, that was the best time for them to travel.

It was an interesting lecture; we learned what these quilt pieces indicated to the fugitives. We can be glad for those who made the trip north, but it must have involved many difficult times, too.

Sumptuous seafood

Today’s recipe is one I used in 1996 for shrimp. We have just bought our first Maine shrimp this month, and I used the 1996 recipe. It is so good.

Eppie Strange’s Baked Shrimp

Make a crumb mixture by crushing one pack (they come four in a box) of Ritz or Hi-Ho crackers with a rolling pin, then adding one stick of melted butter or margarine, or half a stick of each, to which you have added 2 or 3 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce.

Stir the shrimp into this crumb mixture and place on a greased cookie sheet in a 400-degree oven for about 10 minutes. They will be crisp, and oh, so delicious.