Plain Talk about Food: Chilled Cucumber Soup
Often I think ‘what a wonderful life I’ve had, if only I’d realized it sooner’. Too late now to make major changes; I’ve decided to make the very best of what time is left.Married soon after high school, my plans were to become a ‘domestic diva’, another June Cleaver from the Leave it to Beaver TV show. I would send my kids off to school with pancakes, bacon and eggs ‘under their belts’ while waiting for my homemade bread to rise. I would head to the garden wearing a sunhat adorned with roses over my long golden tresses and pink rubber boots to match my hat.I would collect eggs from underneath my chickens, pick green beans and my favorite vegetable, cucumbers from my weed-free garden. Then, I would milk Molly, our family goat, daily.Then, reality and time set in. Clearly, it was only a television life that was in my thoughts.Molly ate my flowers, gophers ate my string beans and cucumbers, and weeds took over my garden. Clearly, this way of life was tougher than I had anticipated.Putting my ‘old life’ behind, several years passed. In the spring of 2002, I announced to my hubby, Norm that I had been looking through a “chicken catalog” and had come upon photos of ‘Polish’ chickens. “How cute is that Norm?” I said, “you are Polish and our chickens would be Polish too.”Norm’s only experience with any animals, much less chickens, was in a live display in Chicago’s Museum of Natural History when he was a child.“NO CHICKENS,” exclaimed Hubby! His normally pleasant-looking face had reduced itself to a no-nonsense ‘dammit, I mean it’ expression.I had to move fast — those 24 chicks were due to arrive at the post office on a nonrefundable order the next day. I had to reach Norm’s reasonable and sympathetic side quickly. That would be the only way those 24 baby chicks would be mine.Norm was furious, but I continued in a somewhat cajoling and syrupy voice; “not to worry, honey.” I said “we’ll put them in the garage on a card table in a big open box, hang a light bulb overhead and watch them grow. “ I told him “It is so simple, — you’ll learn to love them.”Sure enough, the next day the chickens arrived, and as we watched those chicks being warmed by the light bulb hanging overhead, I detected a smile on Norm’s face.The next day I was hospitalized, and in an instant, Norm became the primary caregiver to 24 baby chicks.During my recovery, those 24 chicks were growing so rapidly that their cardboard home had to be enlarged weekly, until finally they became airborne, flying and pooping on our car tops, windowsills and work benches as well as on the garage floor. Norm’s anger grew as fast as did those chicks.Finally a chicken house and yard were constructed, with only one hitch — an opening the size of a four week old chicken was left, and alas, half of our precious flock was gone during the night. A pile of feathers left by the coyote told the story. Norm was happy, I was sad.As the chicks grew it became apparent that we were left with seven roosters and only five hens; six roosters had to go. “Kill my roosters,” I screamed, “absolutely not”. It seems I had fallen into the old ‘you cannot eat a chicken you have named’ trap.Soon homes were found for those roosters and only Henery was left to guard the flock.Henery soon discovered he ruled the roost. He attacked anyone and everyone who came near his hens. He crowed whenever the moon shown at 3 a.m. or when we had company on our deck. Henery was a loud, majestic, beautiful Rooster. I loved Henery, Norm did not.In 2004 we made that decision that so many make, that of moving to be near our children. What about Henery? He moved along with his girls to a neighbor’s chicken yard where, I have heard, he is living still.CHILLED CREAM OF CUCUMBER SOUP (Serves 6)6 cucumbers 8” length, peeled, seeded and diced.1 cup leeks (white part only) or sweet onions, diced3 Tbsp. butter4 cups chicken broth1-1/2 tsp. white wine vinegar2 cups half and half cream4 Tbsp. quick-cooking cream of wheat2 tsp. chopped fresh dill½ tsp. tarragon1/2 cup sour creamSalt/white pepper to tasteDirections:In heavy pot, melt the butter and sauté the onions until translucent. Do not brown. Add cucumbers, broth, farina, vinegar and herbs. Simmer 30 min. Remove from heat and puree until smooth. Stir in cream and refrigerate. Garnish with sour cream.Add chicken stock and simmer for 15 min. Cool to room temperatureIn blender add cucumber mixture and blend until smooth.
Locally filmed movie with local stars shows at Park Hall
Dan Henning, 40 year resident of Boulder Creek announces that he played a role in a ‘coming of age’ movie that was shot in Santa Cruz and San Lorenzo Valley. The movie is about a high school graduate who overcomes tragedies and experiences personal triumphs when he takes a summer job with his art teacher selling pottery at a local Renaissance Faire.
It’s a community affair
Taking care of our gem, the Felton Covered Bridge Park, is a community affair. Centrally located, it is one of the first things you see when you arrive in Felton. It is the visible focal point for many who live in the area or who visit Felton. The park is easily accessed by all routes in and out of the valley whether by car, bus, bike or foot. The park nestles in next to many businesses making it convenient to shop for goods and services.Basically, the park is open during daylight hours. That should make it easy for people, both residents and visitors, to enjoy the park’s many features. It is a beautiful spot.Anyone in our community can enjoy this little green spot and lots of people do so. It is a communication center for many where they can meet with friends, walk their dogs, or take their families for outings. However, it has been reported that some members of the community are engaging in other types of activities that are of a nature to be cause for concern.Sergeant John Habermehl, Sheriff-Coroners Office, in Felton, said that there has been a recent increase of incoming calls from people reporting drunk and disorderly conduct being seen in the park. He observed that when good use of the park is replaced by a bad use of the park, then the whole community suffers and the park deteriorates in terms of usefulness to families and other peaceable visitors.“We want to encourage a good use of the park. When the community takes good care of the park by using it for proper purposes, criminal activity is discouraged. It is much more likely for visitors to engage in wrong when there is no one to see it,” he said. “We encourage people in the park who see criminal behavior to call and report it. The people in the park are our eyes and ears,” said Habermehl.“Homelessness or class distinction is not the issue, behavior is. People who live in a big house and have wealth can get drunk too — proper use of the park is the issue,” said Habermehl.Asked how the Sheriff department responds to reports of misconduct in the park, Habermehl described the legal process the deputies must follow. Drunk and disorderly conduct are misdemeanors. As such, circumstances of the violator are taken into consideration as to the outcome of the incident.Frequency of encounter with the person, and circumstances will influence a deputy when called to a scene when drunkenness is the problem. Maybe, the person is taken to a ‘sobering center’ where they can sleep for a few hours and then be released if this infraction merits the treatment. Otherwise, the person may be arrested and may have to go to court. There is a range of conditions and circumstances that are considered by the law enforcement agencies when it comes to non-violent misdemeanors. It is also possible for the arresting deputy to recommend that the person be allowed to participate in the ‘serial inebriate program’ for substance abuse counseling. “Most people who get drunk in public and are arrested do not end up in court. They stay in jail until they sleep it off. In that instant, it is the safety of the person that is important,” said Habermehl.The repeat offender is the person who receives different consequences. For non-violent misdemeanors, it is possible for an arresting officer to request prosecution and/or issuance of a stay-order from district attorney and the judge. “The repeat offender is a community problem.” At first, “the repeat offender is given the circumstances that could help them make different choices,” explained Herbermehl. He said the goal is to help them to make right changes.When asked about the repeat offender that does not respond to those opportunities, Habermehl explained that there is a County wide system of allied agencies that have to examine each situation on a case by case basis for effectiveness. He described a series of actions that can occur for repeat offenders that range from requesting that the judge include certain conditions in sentencing. He said “the judge can issue an order for them to stay away from certain locations, such as where alcohol is sold, or into the entry of a park.”“If a persons record shows they have been arrested five or more times within a six month period, they could qualify as a ‘serial inebriate’ candidate or they could get a higher level of stay order and bail,” said Habermehl. It is the type of evidence that qualifies a person for specific sentencing outcomes.Habermehl outlined what Jim Hart, Sheriff-Coroner, is doing about the situation. He said “we have a new ‘serial inebriate’ program; a ‘sobering center’; and Sheriff Hart is working to get another deputy for peak hours.”In caring for our park, our community’s increasing number of calls resulted in increased arrests. Habermehl acknowledges that the drunk, disorderly and drug problem continues. “I encourage the public to continue calling in their reports. The people are our eyes and ears,” he repeated. “We will follow up.”The community is encouraged to call 471-1121 to report criminal activity at the Felton Covered Bridge Park.
The main flavor was ‘fun’
Tasting Under the Redwoods was a fund raising event sponsored by Valley Churches United Missions on August 9, from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Upon entry to the Bret Harte Hall at Roaring Camp in Felton, guests were enveloped by music and the scent of yummy foods.The delicious sound of jazz played by Soul Doubt kept the tasters swaying to the music as they sampled food provided by about 27 restaurants and confectioners while about eight wineries and 4 breweries poured beverages.If you were there, chances are that you bumped into many of your friends, maybe even folks that you have not seen in a while. Maybe some of the new people that you met turned out to be a friend of a friend. That is the kind of pleasant atmosphere that was experienced by the visitors."This is a great opportunity to enjoy our community," said Patty Malone from Malone's Bar and Grill in Scotts Valley. Across the aisle was Jessica Hix from Mama Mia's in Felton, "try our calzone?" It was delicious along with a sample of Queen Bee ale from New Bohemia from 41st Avenue in Santa Cruz. From Boulder Creek to Santa Cruz, yummy samples of food and beverages were available for tasting.Busy making sure that guests were enjoying themselves was seen David Mills, Executive Director of VCUM. "Glad to see that you made it," said Mills as he welcomed people to the event. Ed Lambing was busy photographing people as they enjoyed the party atmosphere, while Colly and Norm Gruczelak were busy directing foot traffic at the front door and answering questions. Many other VCUM volunteers were also actively welcoming people and making preparations for the silent auction.Having sold out all tickets for the event, VCUM can agree with those from the community who were fortunate enough to get a ticket, that Tasting Under the Redwoods, 2015, was a huge success. While the tasters work the extra calories off, they can take comfort that all of that nibbling was for a good cause. It was also a lot of fun!
The San Lorenzo Valley Leadership Academy opens in August
A progressive approach to teaching and leading youth into the culture of their future is what the SLVLA is all about. SLVA is a learning facility that provides an After School Leadership Program for the first through the fifth grades. The academy is targeted to open August 25.Mikey Henderson and Mike Herzog are the developers of this innovative program that features S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) projects. Henderson has a passion for technology and all that relates to it. He relishes the idea of discovery and how to foster that attitude in others. Being a software developer, he knows the value of involving children in an innovative culture that will ultimately prepare them with the mind-set and imaginative approach to problem solving and the challenges that characterize an increasingly technological world.SLVLA fosters the skill set necessary for successfully managing project-based learning techniques by teaching the fundamentals of creativity, which is the stuff from which technical solutions arise.Herzog, previous co-owner of Santa Cruz Soccer Inc., has spent the two years in an afternoon leadership program for San Lorenzo Elementary. He will lead F.A.S.T. (Fitness and Sports Training) activities for SLVLA. Herzog developed a leadership training program that was designed to teach the basics of coaching to older campers. That accomplishment formed the basis of a passion for leadership training.Henderson and Herzog teamed up to create the program taught at SLVLA. The two believe that developing personalized learning paths is founded in the outcomes learned by asking questions, experimenting and satisfying curiosity about a subject matter. Their program is designed to make sure that students have something to learn and something to contribute. A comprehensive learning experience is one that empowers students to develop the strength in all subjects and results in becoming excellent communicators and collaborators with outstanding critical thinking skills.Herzog said “my partner, Mikey Henderson, and I are opening up the San Lorenzo Valley Leadership Academy right across from the SLVHS.” They open August 25. An open house is planned two weeks earlier.For more information, call 421-1060
News Briefs | Published Sept. 12, 2025
Fun run, emergency preparedness fair set for Saturday
On Saturday, Sept. 13, the City of Santa Cruz will be hosting Race the Wave, a 3K...
