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| Evelyn in the "Evelyn Room," at Dale Chihuly glass studio, Seattle, Washington |
Evelyn has written for a variety of magazines and newspapers over the past five decades.
Evelyn started writing a weekly newspaper column for the Shenandoah (Iowa) Evening Sentinel in 1949. The Sentinel eventually became the Valleys News Today and Evelyn continues to write for this newspaper. She has written her newspaper column every week, without fail, for over 60 years. Evelyn also wrote monthly columns for Kitchen-Klatter Magazine for almost 30 years.
Links to Evelyn's newspaper and magazine columns and archives:
Evelyn's current weekly newspaper columns
(2010-2011)
Evelyn's archived weekly newspaper columns
(1949 to 2010)
Evelyn's monthly Kitchen-Klatter Magazine columns
(samples from 1958)
Recipes Are Often Boobytraps
When I began writing my column for the Shenandoah Evening Sentinel back in 1949, publisher Willard Archie told me I should always put in a recipe. Through the years I’ve tried to gather the best recipes I could find to share with my readers. Often they were recipes that my neighbors and relatives had shared with me, or that readers mailed my way.
more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
12/28/2011
Scrapbook is Great Way to Preserve Cards
Today I got out the scrapbook in which I keep special Christmas cards and began to tuck in the letters and pictures I want to preserve from this special season of 2011.
more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
12/27/2011
Up a Country Lane: Treasures We've Kept Over the Years
I’ve heard that we spend the first fifty years of life collecting things and the next fifty getting rid of them. In our case, Robert and I have had 65 years together accumulating a basement full of stuff, but it’s only taken a couple of weeks to see it all go away.
more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
12/23/2011
Christmas Greetings from the Birkby Family
Since 1954, I have included a Birkby family photo with my holiday column, and this year is no different. We had a wonderful time the day after Thanksgiving cutting our tree at the Horse Creek Christmas Tree farm west of Sidney. Terry Lewis, who owns the farm along with his wife Lona, was kind enough to handle the camera for us.
more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
12/14/2011
Fun Decorating for Christmas
"Do you want to help me decorate the doll house for Christmas?" I asked my seven-year-old granddaughter Amanda during her Thanksgiving visit in our home. "Oh yes. Let’s do it now," she responded heading for my miniature house that is such fun to enjoy during the holidays.
more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
12/07/2011
Picking Out a Christmas Tree at Lewis Tree Farm
It has become a Birkby family tradition to cut our Christmas tree at the farm of Terry and Lona Lewis. This year our three sons, two grandchildren and our daughter-in-law went with Robert and me a few miles west of Sidney to Horse Creek Farm.
more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
11/30/2011
Opening the Family Time Capsule
Thanksgiving last week was especially delightful for the Birkby family. Our three sons, our daughter-in-law, and our grandchildren were all with us to celebrate the holiday and, on the same day, Robert's 93rd birthday.
more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
11/23/2011
We Have Much to be Thankful for This Year
Do you have anyone in your family or among your friends who like to surprise you when they come to visit? Some folks think it is great fun to pop in unannounced and say, "Surprise! We just stopped by for several days."
more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
11/16/2011
Enjoying Shenandoah in the Role of Tourists
Following the August storm that caused so much damage across Southwest Iowa, we've been having extensive repairs done to our home in Sidney. Several weeks ago the workmen told us we needed to be out of the house for two days, so we opted to spend the time in Shenandoah.
more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
11/09/2011
Treasures We've Kept Over the Years
''ve heard that we spend the first fifty years of life collecting things and the next fifty getting rid of them. In our case, Robert and I have had 65 years together accumulating a basement full of stuff, but it's only taken a couple of weeks to see it all go away.
more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
11/02/2011
Such an Amazing Hike up Mt. Everest
Editor's Note: Bob Birkby, Evelyn's son, has been on an adventure in the Himalayan Mountains for the past month. This is the second column he has written about the trip. more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
10/26/2011
Hiking to the Base of Mount Everest
Editor's note: Evelyn's son Bob Birkby is trekking in Nepal this month with the guide service he works with—Berg Adventures based in Banff, Canada. Bob sent this message from the trail where he's hiking to the base of Mount Everest. more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
10/20/2011
The Message Behind Shenandoah's WCTU Fountain
In downtown Shenandoah where five streets converge by the Flatiron Building stands the WCTU water fountain dedicated "in memory of Mrs. H.S. Nuchols and also for God and Home and Every Land." . more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
10/12/2011
Removal of Cataracts is a Simple Operation
On one of the most beautiful days of this autumn, Robert accompanied me to Omaha where I had an appointment with Dr. Carol Drake, my ophthalmologist. She sees me every six months to check for glaucoma and other eye problems, and I thank her for keeping my vision as good as it can be for all these years. more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
10/05/2011
Battle of Shiloh Included Men From Fremont, Page County
Fremont County was immersed last week in the Civil War as the Fremont County Historical Society recognized the 150th anniversary of the outbreak of the war and the important role played by soldiers from Iowa. The centerpiece of the event was The Fiery Trial: Iowa and the Civil War, a traveling exhibit of the State Historical Society of Iowa.
more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
09/28/2011
Enjoying the First Day of School
The first day of school has always been one of my favorite times of the year. I enjoyed going to school and having opportunities to learn, and now it's exciting for me to watch my grandchildren as they continue their educations in Edmonds, Washington. Nick is a high school sophomore this autumn, and Amanda is starting first grade. more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
09/21/2011
We Had a Blast at Hills and Heritage Days
It was a beautiful, sunny Saturday when Robert and I drove to Thurman, Iowa, for the annual Hills and Heritage Days celebration. more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
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| Evelyn at her desk in Sidney |
Feeling Several Years Younger With My Pacemaker
People have been telling me that I seem to have more energy lately, and I would agree. "It's my new pacemaker," I tell them. "It has gotten my blood flowing again into places where it hasn't been for awhile." more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
09/07/2011
Barbers are a Thing of the Past
Last week I was cleaning out a closet and ran across a 1930s photograph of the Sidney barbershop run by Robert's grandfather William Carter.
more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
08/31/2011
Fifteen Trees at Birkby's Honey Hill Damaged by Storm
As I am writing this morning, it has been one week since the huge storm swept through Southwest Iowa. Robert and I had just finished a nice supper that evening on the sun porch when we heard on the television that bad weather was on the way.
more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
08/22/2011
Summer Jobs for Teens Have Changed
When our sons Jeff and Bob were here during rodeo week, we talked one evening about jobs they'd had during their summers when they still lived at home. That was a long time ago, in the 1960s, and a lot has changed since then. more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
08/10/2011
No Last Name Needed With Emmy
Some famous people are known by just their first names. There's Oprah, of course, and Elvis, Cher, and Madonna. Here in Southwest Iowa, if you say the name Emmy, everybody knows who you're talking about. Emmy is Emily Lewis-McDonald-Bengtson, famous as one of the best cooks in a region known for its great cooking. She is also one of my dearest friends, and I'm delighted to report that she has just published Cooking With Emmy, a new book of her favorite recipes.
more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
08/03/2011
The Real Attraction of RAGBRAI is Meeting People
Forty years ago I pedaled a Schwinn Varsity bicycle across Iowa on my way to Florida to see the last rocket blast off for the moon. It seemed like a good idea at the time. I encountered no other bicyclists along the Iowa back roads, and while I enjoyed myself, pedaling by myself past the cornfields sometimes became a bit lonely. more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
07/27/2011
Rediscover the Art of Canning
A way to enjoy and celebrate summer in Iowa is through its food. Gardens are growing all kinds of vegetables. Berries and fruits are coming on in generous quantities. I'm convinced that there is something about Iowa soil that produces the best tasting produce anywhere.
more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
07/12/2011
It's All About Family Milestones
Outside my study window hangs a basket of geraniums blooming brightly in the warm sunshine. Every year its array of blooms has brighten my days of work, but this year has had a plus.
more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
07/12/2011
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
The seriousness of the flooding on the flat land near the Missouri River came close to home Sunday when we visited with members of the Percival Community Church. more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
07/06/2011
Bob Birkby Reports From Africa
When I'm traveling to far-off places, my mother encourages me to write a column about the current adventures. more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
06/28/2011
Fond Memories of Judging Cookies
With county fairs coming up soon and the Iowa State Fair on the horizon, lots of cooks are perfecting recipes they will enter in food competitions. I've had the honor of being a judge a number of times, and it is always an exciting experience. But how does one decide which entree is the best? more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
06/21/2011
My New Turbo-Jet Heart Has Me Feeling Good
When I wrote last week about Robert and my trip to the doctor for our annual physicals I did not tell you the rest of that story. more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
06/15/2011
There's No Getting Around Growing Old
Robert and I have just returned from having our yearly physical checkups at the doctor's office. Nothing makes me feel more like my chronological age than such a visit, although the doctor told Robert, who is almost 93 and me, almost 92, that we are in much better shape than most people our age. more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
06/08/2011
Remembering Floods of the Past
The news on the television for the last week is warning people in southwest Iowa of a coming flood on the Missouri River that reportedly is going to be even larger than any experienced in the past. more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
05/30/2011
The Love of Music is Certainly a Dragoo Family Affair
When I received the photograph of our granddaughter Amanda at her piano recital in Edmonds, Washington, it brought back memories of all the music experiences our family has had through the years. more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
05/24/2011
Thoughts of Major John Thornell near Memorial Day
There is simple gravestone in the Sidney cemetery that reads, 'Major John G Thornell, Commander of "Roma." May 5, 1886- Feb 21, 1922.' That's a very few words for one of Sidney's biggest stories, one that I've been revisiting almost 90 years later. more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
05/17/2011
Trip to Washington Lasts Longer Than Expected
WELL! Life does have a way of sending surprises at unexpected moments.
more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
05/10/2011
Memories of May Baskets
On the last day of April during our recent visit to Edmonds, Washington, I asked our six-year-old granddaughter Amanda if she would like to make May baskets. She got a puzzled look on her face. "What are May baskets?" she asked. more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
05/06/2011
Musical Fundraisers
Our recent trip to Seattle coincided with a spring performances at the schools of both our grandchildren. The first event was a fund raiser for the music department at Edmonds-Woodway High School where Nick is a freshman very involved with the jazz choir. more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
04/19/2011
A Lifetime Guarantee on a Gravestone
Last month when he was visiting from Montana, my son Jeff and I went to the Farragut cemetery to visit my sister Ruth's grave. more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
04/06/2011
Never Too Old to Learn a New Recipe
I was in a store the other day buying ham hocks when a man came over to where I was standing by the meat counter and introduced himself as David Johnson. "Are you going to make bean soup with that?" he asked. I told him I was, and that I usually choose navy beans as a main ingredient. more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
03/29/2011
A Delightful Visit on Aging from a Young Lady
My interview with Kara Cruickshank, student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
I discovered the other day that, much to my surprise, I am too old to be an elderly person. The occasion was a very delightful visit with Kara Cruickshank. more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
03/22/2011
Yippee...Spring has Finally Sprung
Spring is here. I know it is here because my calendar says so and also because Robert balanced eggs on the kitchen counter Sunday morning. He says he does that on the equinox because everything is in balance. more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
03/09/2011
Joyous Memories of our Recent January Christmas
I wrote last week about our travels to Seattle in early January for our family's winter holiday celebration. In order for us all to be together, we saved Christmas until the first weekend of the new year. more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
03/02/2011
Calling all Scouts!
This is Scout Week, the annual celebration of the founding of the Boy Scouts of America in 1910. Scouting has always been a big part of our family, and this week always rustles up a multitude of terrific memories for me. more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
02/23/2011
Thinking of Edward Maynard
Whenever I see the Cross and Flame symbol of the United Methodist church I think of my long-time friend, Edwin H. Maynard. more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
02/16/2011
Old Rag Bags of Years Gone By
Something came to my attention recently that I had not thought about in years. I saw an article that discussed the old rag bags of years gone by. At the conclusion it asked the question, “Do people still have rag bags in their homes?” more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
02/09/2011
Books are Worth Celebrating
Last week I had the great joy of attending the monthly meeting of Nebraska City's Through the Pages book club. They gather at The Book Clinic Bookstore, and I must say I've not been with a livelier, more intelligent and enthusiastic group of ladies in a long time. more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
02/02/2011
A Love for Bookstores
"Internet Spells The Death Of Bookstores," the newspaper headline proclaimed. Oh no, I groaned. Since my parents encouraged me to read as a child, I have searched out bookstores whenever I traveled. They are some of my favorite places in the world.
more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
01/26/2011
Celebrating Christmas in January
In the midst of the winter snowstorms, below zero temperatures, and north winds blowing across Iowa, I am sitting in my snug little study remembering the warmth of our family Christmas gathering just a short time ago. more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
01/19/2011
Local Grocery Stores Are Hard to Find
After I wrote last week's column about the old-time grocery stores we had in this area years ago, I started thinking about how different our shopping habits are today, and how few of the locally owned stores remain in our small towns. more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
01/05/2011
The Best New Year's Present of All
I'm always pleased when I have good news to share, and I've been waiting a long time to share this story. Our son Craig has been dealing with a serious illness since last spring.
more » ~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
12/08/2010
Our Seven Days of Thanksgiving
The Twelve Days of Christmas will be arriving soon. I love all the excitement and fellowship of that time, and look forward to it every year. For the moment, though, I'm still basking in the joy of this last week, our family's own Seven Days of Thanksgiving. more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
11/17/2010
Holidays & Food Go Together
With Thanksgiving just ahead, I've been thinking about how certain dishes conjure up memories of wonderful events of the past, and of the people who were sitting around those festive tables. more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
11/10/2010
Nick and Amanda – Ever Changing
I love to get updates on my grandchildren Nick and Amanda in Edmonds, Washington. Even though they are far away, I can follow their activities through phone calls, emails, and photographs sent over the internet. What an exciting autumn they are having! more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
10/27/2010
Radio History Symposium at K State
The telephone call from Dr. Steve Smethers at Kansas State University's School of Journalism and Mass Communications was a surprise. He was asking me to come to the university and participate in the fifth annual Great Plains Radio History Symposium. more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
10/13/2010
Times Have Changed Since the First Column
I'm sitting at my desk and looking out at a beautiful Sidney, Iowa, morning. This time of day has always been my most creative time when I love to be tucked into my cozy office with lots of work to do. My current writing space is a far cry from where this column began more than sixty years ago. more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
10/06/2010
25 Greatest Includes Shen Woman
This month's issue of Saveur, the magazine of fine food, is devoted to "25 Greatest Meals Ever." Well-known food writers were given the opportunity to highlight the best dinners they'd ever enjoyed.
more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
09/29/2010
Learning About My Dragoo Roots
Although I've done lots of research and writing about my father's family – the Corries – and our Birkby family tree, I've never known much about my mother's family, the Dragoos. more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
09/22/2010
The Story of Three Meals
I've always found that food is very much a part of travel, and that sharing meals is definitely a part of family visits. The last week of August, when Robert and I flew to Seattle to see our children and grandchildren, was no exception. more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
09/08/2010
Sunflowers Didn't Survive Last Storm
Our favorite flowers this fall were the big golden sunflowers. These plants came up of their own accord right below the bird feeder, which led us to
believe that the birds dropped some of the sunflower seeds from their meals this past spring. The sunflowers were especially colorful, and we enjoyed
watching the brilliant yellow flower heads turn from east to west as they followed the sun across the sky. more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
08/18/2010
What a Splendid Birthday Anniversary for KMA Radio
Well, that was fun! KMA had a birthday party to celebrate 85 years on the air, and we were all invited.
more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
08/11/2010
Celebrating 85 years of KMA
Shenandoah's KMA Radio will celebrate its 85th birthday on August 12th by serving free pancakes from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the parking lot next to the studio, just as the station did in the good old days. And what days they have been!
more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
08/04/2010
Taking a Page from the Wonderful Town of Brownville
The first of the company to arrive last week was our son Jeff. He was on his way to Minneapolis for a meeting and rearranged his schedule so he could be here on Saturday for his Aunt Ruth's memorial service. It was great to have a representative from our sons for that event.
more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
07/28/2010
Paying our Final Respects to Ruth, my Sister and Friend
My sister Ruth died on July 4 in Mesa, Arizona, her home for the last almost years. Her family and friends held a memorial service for her there. Saturday, July, 24, there was a second memorial in her honor, this one at the Farragut Methodist Church.
more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
07/21/2010
Family Recipes are a Memento to Share
I am always amazed at the power of radio to share news. In the early days of Shenandoah's radio stations, Earl May and Henry Field sometimes cranked up the transmitters to see how far the signals of KMA and KFNF would go. They received messages back from as far away as Australia.
more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
07/14/2010
In Loving Memory of My Sister and Friend – Ruth
I recently received word from my nephew Larry Bricker that his mother, my sister Ruth, has passed away.
more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
07/07/2010
A Visit to My Alma Mater – Simpson
In 1938 I graduated from Simpson College. That was during the depth of the Great Depression and very difficult for my parents to see that I got to college, even for a two-year teacher certification program in which I was enrolled.
more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
06/30/2010
Always a Time of Challenging Weather
Last December, when we were complaining about the blizzards sweeping across Iowa and dropping the thermometer readings lower than we could imagine, summer seemed a very long way off. I was sure I would not be at all upset when warm weather arrived. And yet with all the heat, humidity, and rain we've been having as summer begins, I have found plenty to complain about.
more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
06/23/2010
A Nice Relaxing Flight Back to Eppley
Whenever I travel on an airplane, I think of those pioneers who took so long to travel overland from the Midwest to Washington, Oregon, and California.
more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
06/16/2010
Porcupine Balls and Nick's Graduation
Just a week ago, Robert and I arrived at the home of our son Craig and his family in Edmonds, Washington. We had made the journey from Iowa to attend the eighth grade graduation ceremony for our grandson Nick.
more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
06/09/2010
Bathtub or Shower? It's All in the Genes
I am a bath person. I like nothing better than to fill the tub up and stretch out full length and spend time soaking in hot, hot, water.
more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
06/02/2010
An Enjoyable Visit to Brownville
Recently I had an invitation to speak at the Lyceum Café in Brownville, Nebraska. The trip there gave Robert and me a chance to see some of our favorite countryside, to reconnect with good friends, and to meet some new people with very interesting stories.
more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
05/26/2010
From My Letter Basket
Several months ago I wrote a column about Japanese-American service man Dick Hayashi. Just before World War II began, I was spending some time in Minnesota and one evening went to a dance at a local YMCA.
more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
05/19/2010
'Three Cups of Tea' Hits the Spot
"You should read 'Three Cups of Tea,'" Lynn Benson told me several months ago. "I'll keep it in mind," I told him, adding that I like it when people tell me about books they've enjoyed. At the time, though, I had other books to read, places to go, and subjects to research. The months slipped by.
more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
05/12/2010
Oh, Those Special Prom Memories
Prom time is here again and each spring brings back memories of my own experiences. In 1934-5 I lived with my family in Waukee, Iowa, then a small town about 10 miles west of Des Moines. I was a junior in high school. For our Junior Senior banquet my mother made me a lovely white organdy dress which we designed ourselves.
more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
05/05/2010
Springtime – Graduation, Parties and Weddings
I always look forward to springtime events in Iowa's communities. Graduation parties, bake sales, and even a wedding or two highlight the season. I especially enjoy our town's annual SPLASH week. The letters stand for Sidney Public Library Amazing Spring Happenings.
more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
04/28/2010
One of My Favorite Moments in Hawaii
If you asked me for my favorite moment during our recent trip to Hawaii I would be hard pressed to pick one, but a really delightful and unexpected experience came late one afternoon when Robert and I went for a walk with our three sons.
more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
04/21/2010
Emotional Visit to Pearl Harbor
Of many highlights during our recent family trip to Hawaii, nothing stands out more than the day we spent at Pearl Harbor with our sons. Robert and I had never been there, and we both found that being in a place so important in our lives brought back many memories and emotions.
more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
04/14/2010
Up a Coconut Lane in Hawaii
Since I'm writing this from Hawaii, my sons think I should call my column "Up A Coconut Lane." And they may be right. I've been enjoying my stay on Maui with my family so much that may never want to leave.
more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
04/07/2010
And Now the Rest of the Story...
We all know those Paul Harvey radio messages, The Rest of the Story. He tells about people in remarkable circumstances, then adds a surprising twist at the end.
more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
03/31/2010
Spring has Finally Arrived
Spring finally came tiptoeing around the corner. I know it is here because my calendar told me so: MARCH 20, 2010 FIRST DAY OF SPRING.
I also know it is spring because Robert balanced eggs on the kitchen counter, a sure sign the equinox has arrived once again.
more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
03/24/2010
Catching up on the Birkby Family
Our sons Bob, Jeff, and Craig were with us in Des Moines last week for the Iowa Public Television Festival events. It was wonderful to have them there, and very fun to get first-hand updates on the rest of the family.
more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
03/17/2010
An Exciting Day for the Birkbys
Last Thursday was a very exciting day for our family. Our three sons flew in from their homes in Seattle and Missoula, Montana, to be with Robert and me at the studios of Iowa Public Television for the premier airing of the documentary, "Iowa's Radio Homemakers: Up A Country Lane."
more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
03/10/2010
My Once a Decade Meeting with a Reporter and Friend
Jane Palmer came down from Omaha last week to renew our long-time friendship. Twenty years ago when Jane was food editor for the Omaha World-Herald, she wrote a review of my book "Neighboring on the Air."
more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
03/03/2010
Iowa's Radio Homemakers
For the last year the talented professionals of Iowa Public Television have been putting together a documentary entitled "Iowa's Radio Homemakers: Up A Country Lane."
more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
02/24/2010
Providing Answers for the Food Goddess
A long-time friend, Mary Jeanne Maynard, sent me a copy of the Atlanta Journal Constitution newspaper. Mary directed my attention to a letter that was sent to one of their food columnist known as the Food Goddess.
more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
02/10/2010
Green Cans of Bag Balm
Anyone who has been around this part of the country very long has seen the distinctive square, green cans of Bag Balm.
more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
01/27/2010
Looking Back Through the History of The Valley News
As we welcome new publisher Barb Trimble to The Valley News Today, I've enjoyed looking back through the history of this venerable newspaper.
more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
01/20/2010
Ephemera are Glimpses from the Past
Ephemera was not ever part of my vocabulary. In fact, I needed to look it up in my dictionary to find out that it means "lasting a short time." It's used to describe items such as newspapers and magazines that are only intended to be used briefly.
more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
01/13/2010
Remembering my Dear Friend Erma and Her Rolls
"Where did you find your recipe for Hay Hand Rolls?" an acquaintance asked me recently. "I have connected that recipe to you ever since I first heard you give it on the radio, and I always wondered where it came from."
more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
01/06/2010
My First Nine Decades
In 1999 I wrote a series of columns about the first eight decades of my life. Now, as I turn the calendar to January of 2010, I am reminded it is time for me to take a few moments and look back on the decade we've just completed, my ninth.
more »
~ from "Valley News Today," Shenandoah, Iowa
Evelyn's archived weekly newspaper columns from 1949 through 2005 at the
University of Iowa Digital Library (keyword searchable)
A sample of Evelyn's monthly columns for Kitchen-Klatter Magazine from 1958.
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