Volume IV, No. 2, Winter 1976


THE EDITOR'S PAW


The time seems so short since I last wrote, but I greet you again with news from the Editor's Paw.

A word of thanks from our circulation workers to those who promptly replied to their first renewal notice because they were saved extra work and expense. They would also like to add that if you receive an incomplete magazine please write us.

News of interest to our readers is that Lois Roper Beard, who has frequently helped us in our research, had her second book published this last summer. The book, entitled REFLECTIONS, is filled with general facts and memories she has gathered over the years from living in this region. If you are interested in the book, write to Lois at her home, Route 1, Conway, Missouri, 65632.

A dream of ours has finally come into reality. We have been offered a contract by Doubleday and Company for our own book. The book will contain various articles featured in our magazine during the past three years. We hope it will be completed for a tentative publishing date of Spring, 1978.

It seems so much has happened in these three short months. For instance, three of us have had the opportunity to teach other high school students in other parts of the country the fundamentals of a magazine's publication.

In early September Stephen Ludwig and I worked with a beginning project in the Rocky Mountains at Basalt, Colorado. Because of his great interest in nature, as shown in his work on the geological story of rivers in the fall issue, Danny Hough traveled to New Jersey where he assisted two beginning ecologically centered projects dealing with the Pine Barrens.

Winter is about on us and the snow, ice and freezing breezes will again become a part of our life. With winter comes Christmas and the hope of "Season's warmest wishes" from the staff of BITTERSWEET to you, our readers.

So until next time--the Lord be willing--grace, peace and love.

THE EDITOR'S MAILBOX

BITTERSWEET:

We enjoy your publication. I am enclosing a copy of a letter of thanks I sent to the Missouri Council of the Arts. I hope they continue their support.

Cheryl Long Hoemann,
Hermann, Missouri

To the' Missouri State Council of the Arts:

Our school library is one selected to receive BITTERSWEET, the Ozark Quarterly. Correspondence with Lebanon High School has indicated that your financial aid has made our subscription possible. On behalf of the students and staff of Hermann High School I would like to thank you.
BITTERSWEET provides our students with an outstanding presentation of the -Ozarks, its People, and its culture.
Your support has meant our contact with the region will not be broken.
BITTERSWEET is a beautiful compliment to a unique area of our state. Lebanon students and administration can take pride in their accomplishment. Their publication serves as inspiration to both students and educators.

Hermann High School Library

Dear BITTERSWEET:

I have enjoyed every issue of your publication, but the Fall 1976 issue is my favorite. I became interested in quilting two or three years ago. I have been waiting for you to do a feature on quilting. It was well worth the wait.
The color photographs are beautiful, and the others are also excellent. The articles on quilting and the instructions are clearer and more interesting than some of the books written about quilting.

Beverly Moore,
Farmington, Missouri

Dear Donna:

The Fall issue of BITTERSWEET with its bright wedding ring quilt cover is lying on my desk and getting all kinds of interest from my fellow workers.
It is an exceptionally interesting issue.
I would like to make a story suggestion. I can't remember that you have ever done a story on cellars. When I was growing up, the cellar out in the back yard was a very interesting place. It was cool in Summer and cozy in Winter. But the best part of the place was all the good foods that were stored there. In this day of looking for ways to conserve energy, a cellar would be a very good thing to have.

Ann Wormsley,
Vandalia, Missouri

We appreciate everyone's story suggestions because then we know what you want to read. We will add cellars to our long list of ideas and hopefully, will someday find the time to look into the great possibilities.

Dear BITTERSWEET Magazine:

I have really enjoyed your magazine this year and share it with my Mom and sister--and others.
I especially liked the article on greens in the Spring '76 issue and tried some of the ones I could find around here. I knew a little about some of them from my older relatives from before, but I cooked some for my husband and little boy and they enjoyed them, too. My husband thought it strange for me to be cooking and serving "weeds," but when I showed him the article in your magazine, he thought it would be O.K. after all--and tried them. He was surprised they would be good to eat!
I thought maybe another idea for a similar article might be wild berries and fruits--how to recognize them from spring--in flower--the leaves and general appearance to the ripe fruits and recipes with color photos if possible, to help in recognizing each one.

Carolyn Thompson,
Independence, Mo.

Nancy and Kyra wanted their article to be useful to people who look to nature for good foods, and I guess it did. In the summer issue we do plan to have an article on wild blackberries. After that--well, I'm sure there will be more.

Once in a while we hear from one of our former staff members. We were happy to hear from Teresa who moved last summer.

Dear Bittersweeters:

I've been anxiously waiting for my magazine ever since the first article appeared in the Lebanon paper. I received it finally yesterday. It made me sad and homesick in a nice sort of way. The magazine is beautiful again and I had to write as I don't wish to give up my right to be a critic even though I have moved away from Lebanon High School.
Emery's story "The Hunt" is great! His pictures do so much to enhance the story and the ending was perfect. I wanted to cheer for the dogs, but I felt so sorry for that coon. And in the end I felt like they both won.
The introduction to the quilting story makes you want to jump right in! The colors are so vibrant. It's a nice effect and really different.
I couldn't believe what I read about Mary Moore's death. I thought that fantastic lady would live forever. But then she will in a way. In the words of our magazine anyone can meet her.
Doug's story is--cruel. Well written, but CRUEL! That poor groundhog! I hope that someday someone stretches your hide over a nail keg.
I will be home over Christmas and I hope to see you all. I still get ribbed about my "Southern Accent."

Teresa Reed,
Shakopee, Minnesota

Dear Editor:

BITTERSWEET brings to mind many stories my grandparents have told of their early days in and around Springfield, Missouri, and of my own parents who traveled by wagon across the mountains from Kansas City to Ft. Smith before most roads were built over 60 years ago when my sister was about 3 years old.
My dad loved to tell how they blocked the wagon wheels while going down grade on steep slopes, and of the dry creek beds they sometimes used for roads, how much they enjoyed camp at night because there would always be company. They saw beautiful springs and streams, trees and flowers, and once while going down grade, my mother and sister were frightened and narrowly escaped conflict with some wild Arkansas razorback hogs.
The trip was a month packed with experience which lasted a life time and I am proud they had the spirit to pioneer.

E. Marjorie Van Hole,
Belleville, Ill.

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BITTERSWEET, INC.:

Issue 13 arrived yesterday with its breathtaking double .wedding ring cover. The only way you might have topped that would have been to bind it with a piece of the actual quilt!
I'll be eagerly awaiting each story of the Ozark Rivers series. Issue 13 has floated an impressive start on what promises to be a fascinating trip.
My two cats send their paw prints to Editor Donna Scott with the warning that she had better watch out for the safety of her mice.

Miriam Gray,
Nevada, Missouri

I am!

Dear staff:

I am sending Volume III, No. 2 to my sister-in-law, Mrs. Carl Walter whose husband was just transferred from Champaign, Illinois, to Springfield, Missouri. She is trying to adjust from the very flat country of central Illinois to the rolling country of southwest Missouri. I can't think of a better way to learn about the history and customs of the Ozarks than by reading BITTERSWEET.

Kathryn Irish,
Belleville, Illinois

To BITTERSWEET Staff:

This note is long past due, but please accept mY thanks for the copy of your enjoyable publication.
I now know more names for the parts of my old carpet loom than I knew before I read the article, "From Rags to Rugs."
"Keeping Company" was a reminder of days long gone by. I was reminded of the incidents in the lives of my older sisters in courting and marriage days--even the tall black silk hat of my future brother-in-law.
I am well but my eyes are failing me.

Ruth Seevers,
Osceola, Missouri

Dr. Ruth is a friend we featured in BITTERSWEET, Winter, 1974.

BITTERSWEET Staff:

I enjoy your magazine so much but I am always so disappointed when I receive the magazine. Through no fault of yours, but the mail, the magazine always comes so creased and bent. Perhaps when mailing out the magazines, especially with the sound sheets, you could put a sticker on the outside package saying--Please Do Not Bend--Record Enclosed. Perhaps this would help.

Linda Storck,
Lebanon, Missouri

We have been looking into a more protective way of sending our magazines containing sound sheets because it is also a great concern of ours. Thanks for your suggestion

Dear Donna and Steve:

We the students of the Basalt Foxfire Project want to thank you for coming and sharing your information and skills with us. We all had a fantastic time under the circumstances.

The Basalt, Colorado, Foxfire Project

Thank you for being so kind to us and for working so well. We both hope you have made lots of progress through your experiences by now. Keep us informed.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to thank the following people for their donations:

David Boutros, Sunny Slope, Missouri
Gertrude Toth, Bethesda, Maryland
Lawrence Saladin, Lancaster, California
Eugene Young, Cleveland, Oklahoma
Edwin P. Groner, Cotter, Arkansas
John Phillips, Salinas, California
Judith M. Dourney, Herkimer, New York
Judith E. Peters, Villa Ridge, Missouri
Erma Pace, Hermitage, Missouri
Ray Cahill, Fowler, Colorado
John Eime, Des Peres, Missouri
Susan Solomon, Torrance, California
Dorothea Morey, San Jose, California
Lewis R. Monday, New Caney, Texas
Ethel Shields, Rochester, New York
Michael D. Hite, Dayton, Ohio
Mrs. Paul N. Akey, Hurst, Texas
Terry L. Jett, Holts Summit, Missouri
Rotary Club, Lebanon, Missouri

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Copyright © 1981 BITTERSWEET, INC.


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