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At triple “W,” we love Oregon hazelnuts. So last week, we had an over-the-top moment. Lucky us. We got the Oregon grower, Darlene Chambers (left hand side of the photo above), and renown cookbook author, Jan Roberts-Dominguez, together to talk hazelnuts and preview the new “Oregon Hazelnut Country” cookbook. Jan is a talent. She researched, wrote and designed the recipes/stories for this unique cookbook. She also included many of her beautiful watercolors sprinkled throughout the cookbook’s recipes and stories.
Interesting factoid: Oregon produces over 99% of the nation’s domestic crop of hazelnuts (also known as filberts).
We were lucky enough to have Jan sign the book and, to our surprise, she included in the cookbook the recipe for “Rogue River Salad”–and the story behind the recipe. See, about a year ago, triple “W” contacted Jan after seeing her recipe for Jan’s hazelnut caramels. We figured if she could create something that great with sugar, she might be able to improvise a unique hazelnut river salad–designed just for our lucky Rogue River guests. And that’s exactly what Jan did. Below is the fabulous recipe she created especially for Whitewater Warehouse’s lucky river guests but you’ll love it too–on or off the river.
Want to get your hands on this unique cookbook? You can order it through the Oregon Hazelnut Marketing Board or directly off Jan’s own website. Price is $24.95 plus shipping. Want to read a longer review of Oregon Hazelnut Country before buying it? Click here for more information about the Oregon Hazelnut Country cookbook.
We’ve talked about this Oregon literary gem before but if you love to read, the Oregon State University Press is an organization that you should get to know. Celebrating 50 years of publishing 2011, the OSU Press issues some of the nation’s best and brightest outdoor writers. With titles like: Pathfinder: Blazing a New Wilderness Trail in Modern American by author Ron Strickland; Potluck: Community on the Edge of Wilderness by author Ana Maria Spagna; Spirit of the Siskiyous: The Journals of a Mountain Naturalist by author Mary Paetzel; and Voodoo Vintners: Oregon’s Astonishing Biodynamic Winegrowers by Katherine Cole…every lover of nature will find a book here that will titillate his or her brain.
So discover this non-profit reading resource that for 50 years has published exceptional scholarly and general interest books about the history, culture, literature, environment, and natural resources of the region.
For additional information: Oregon State Univeristy Press, 121 The Valley Library, Corvallis OR 97331-4501; 541.737.3166; email: OSU.Press@oregonstate.edu; website: http://oregonstate.edu/dept/press
Just found an interesting website–Zane Grey’s West Society. The purpose of this organization “is to promote interest in knowledge of the eminent American author, Zane Grey and his works; to revive interest in the writings of Zane Grey and preserve the sites of his writings so that future generations may realize the contributions made by Zane Grey toward the development of the adventure story in American literature.”
Zane Grey pulled much of his story materials from his time fishing and exploring Oregon’s wild & scenic Rogue River. His cabin still exists along the banks of the Rogue River.
Through the efforts of many organizations and individuals, Grey’s cabin where he penned many of his most famous novels can be viewed by Rogue River rafters, hikers and kayakers today. The hose that you see running down the side of the cabin is there to protect the cabin from the Rogue River canyon summer’s heat.
About the Author: Joy Henkle owns and operates White Water Warehouse (WWW) with her husband, Bob Meister. Ever-interested in making their Oregon Rogue River rafting, kayaking, and hiking trips part of a very special Oregon vacation experience for their guests, Joy writes this blog to educate and inform WWW guests and readers about southern Oregon’s fascinating people, places, foods, and festivals. Questions? Joy can be reached at 1-800-214-0579 or fun@whitewaterwarehouse.com Or visit Whitewater Warehouse’s FaceBook page.
The 2010 Southern Oregon Book and Author Fair is being held on Saturday, November 20, 2010 at the Ashland Springs Hotel in Ashland, Oregon. This annual Northwest author book fair has become a regional favorite over the years. It is also the perfect holiday opportunity for Pacific Northwest authors, particularly Oregon authors, to promote, display and sell their books, meet readers, and network with other regional authors. For readers, this is the perfect opportunity to meet regional Northwest authors, and kickoff your holiday fair gift shopping with books, AUTOGRAPHED BOOKS, and m-o-r-e BOOKS!
There is always a featured author in attendance who is nominated and selected based on criteria that: the author is a Northwest author whose book are either nationally known or are well-known within its genre, and the author has received an award(s) for one or more books.
The 2010 Southern Oregon Book & Author Fair will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The event takes place on the 2nd floor Ballroom and Conservatory of the famous, historical Ashland Springs Hotel, located at 212 E. Main Street in beautiful downtown Ashland, Oregon. Click here for directions.
About the Author: Joy Henkle owns and operates White Water Warehouse (WWW) with her husband, Bob Meister. Ever-interested in making their Oregon Rogue River rafting, kayaking, and hiking trips part of a very special Oregon vacation experience for their guests, Joy writes this blog to educate and inform WWW guests and readers about southern Oregon’s fascinating people, places, foods, and festivals. Questions? Joy can be reached at 1-800-214-0579 or fun@whitewaterwarehouse.com Or visit Whitewater Warehouse’s FaceBook page.
This is the second “tall tale” from the book “Tall Tales from Rogue River” showcasing the yarns of Rogue River resident Hathaway Jones. If you missed our first tall tale, Hathaway was a legendary spinner of “embelished stories” who, for nearly four decades, traveled the rugged Rogue River Canyon as a mail carrier. The poor fella met his demise in 1937 when he fell from his horse, down the steep river canyon, while on his rural mail route. While alive, Hathaway was proud of the distinction of being the biggest liar in the country, and, on hearing once that the Portland Oregonian had bestowed the honor on someone else, threatened to institute suit against the paper!
The Flat World of Sampson Jones
Sampson Jones, during the early days, lived on the Rogue River at Battle Bar, just above Mule Creek. He said the world was flat, and he proved it. There was a big stump in front of his cabin upon which, after arguing upon the subject all afternoon with a prospector who claimed the world was not only round but that it turned around, he placed some rocks, holding that they would certainly fall off should the world turn upside down. The following morning the rocks were still upon the stump, and so far as Sampson Jone was concerned that settled the matter. “The world is flat,” he said.
This excerpt, from the book, “Tall Tales from Rogue River,” by Stephen Dow Beckham was published in 1974 by Oregon State University Press.
Hathaway Jones was a legendary spinner of tall tales who, for nearly four decades, traveled the rugged Rogue River Canyon as a mail carrier, trekking the narrow mountain trails and bringing stories to the isolated people of the region. He met his untimely death in 1937–after falling from his horse along the mail trail.
We thought it would be fun to highlight a couple of his yarns from the book, “Tall Tales from Rogue River,” by author Stephen Dow Beckham.
The Broken Leg
The time Hathaway Jones broke his leg, the job of setting it fell to his father, Sampson, aided by a younger brother. They were inexperienced in bonesetting because they always shot animals that had broken legs. They talked the matter over and agreed it might be best for all concerned if they shot Hathaway, but decided they would try patching him up.
Sampson, like most all mountain folk, had a “Doctor book,” probably a copy of the same one mentioned by Mark Twain because no one could read it without acquiring doleful forebodings concerning the state of his own health. But the book told all about bonesetting, and they tried to follow directions. The splits were easily made and bound into place after they had pulled the broken ends of the bones together. The “Doctor book” said, however, that the leg should be put into a plaster cast, and they had no plaster.
Now folks who live several days’ travel from the nearest doctor learn to solve many difficult problems. They had a sack of cement which they had packed in from Powers, tending to use it in curbing their spring. So, having no plaster, they mixed up a batch of cement out of which they contrived a very good cast for the broken leg.
A flea happened to be left under the cast, and even years afterward Hathaway would fly into a rage and pour out a stream of cuss words whenever any one mentioned that flea. When the time came for the removal of the cast from Hathaway’s leg, Sampson used a single jack and drill, while Hathaway watched for the flea. He saw it and made a grab, but the flea hopped onto a hound dog that was standing by and mingling with the fleas that swarmed in the dog’s hair, lost itself in the crowd.
This excerpt, from the book, “Tall Tales from Rogue River,” by Stephen Dow Beckham was published in 1974 by Oregon State University Press.
Just received this wonderful little book in the mail from author Dorothy Lees Riddle. Sing For The River is “a wonderful collection of river songs that is a ‘must have’ for every river runner, outdoor enthusiast, environmentalist, and musician.”
The songbook gives readers the melodies, lyrics, and guitar chords to 55 popular hit songs and classic river favorites that will awaken the adventurer in us all. Great little item to have on your Rogue River rafting and kayaking trip with White Water Warehouse!
If you wish to purchase Sing For The River, the website is www.singfortheriver.com and the cost for the booklet is around $25 (not counting shipping and handling). If you want to contact the author directly, you can call her at 480-994-1140 or email her at: info@singfortheriver.com Dorothy’s company name is great: Yee-Hah! and her mailing address is: PO Box 3676, Scottsdale AZ 85271
Roger Dorband’s life is much like the river he loves so much–through all kinds of conditions, each keeps flowing forward. In 2006, Roger self-published a remarkable book entitled “The Rogue, Portrait of a River.” This talented artist/author filled his book with beautifully written text, local lore and history, and incredible photos of southern Oregon’s Rogue River.
“While serving in the South Seas between the World Wars, my father read of the fabulous sport fishing on the Rogue in the writings of Zane Grey. Nurturing dreams engendered by Grey, he decided to retire to southern Oregon in 1939. A city boy from Chicago, world weary from 20 years in the Navy, he moved to the Rogue Valley for three things: the mild climate, the simple life, and the fishing.
“When I think river, I am thinking Rogue. It is the first and the last, the one that flows through my dreams and imagination. I spent my early, most impressionable years growing up in the Rogue Valley.
“Getting to know a river can be a lifelong journey. Like the ever-changing background of an epic story, in my life the Rogue has been a place to gather with others, a fortress of solitude, an aid to memory, a song, a quality of light, a cradle of dreams, a resting place, a source of energy, a giver of joy, and a receptacle of sorrow,” writes Dorband in his book.
Little did Roger know how true those words would ring. On Thanksgiving Day 2008, Roger’s commercial studio–filled with 1,000 copies of his book and countless photographic images–was caught in an epic fire that raged through several buildings and finally licked at his. “I thought I could save the books that I had stored in my studio but the smoke and water damage was pervasive. It was devastating…something that still haunts me. Through the grief, I slowly began working my way forward.”
Roger has reprinted 2,500 copies of his incredible book. You can order The Rogue, Portrait of a River from his website at: www.rogueriverimages.com or visit him in his new Astoria, Oregon studio in the Copeland Building on Commercial Street. Borders or Barnes & Noble bookstores also carry the book. Several small, independent bookstores in southern Oregon stock the book as well.
Roger wrote this beautiful line about the Rogue in his book and we think it parallels his own persistent life journey: “Like the Rogue, a river may change its course many times, hide itself underground during a series of drought years, be dammed, dynamited, bulldozed, channeled, and piped miles from its natural bed. Still it persists, expressing a power that is the very essence of life.”
All photos and graphics copyrighted by Roger Dorband.
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