A Conversation about John Eisenhower

A Conversation about John Eisenhower

The public is invited to join a conversation about Dwight Eisenhower's son, the late historian John S. D. Eisenhower. The event is set for Thursday, March 26 at 7 p.m. in the Visitors Center Auditorium.

Mary Jean Eisenhower and Dr. Mitch Yockelson will share stories of John's life and literary works in a conversation moderated by Tim Rives, Deputy Director of the Eisenhower Presidential Library.

Mary Jean Eisenhower is the youngest daughter of John Eisenhower and currently resides in the Kansas City area. Born while her grandfather was President, Mary was christened in the Blue Room of the White House. She lived with her family in Pennsylvania near her grandparents until John Eisenhower's appointment as U.S. Ambassador to Belgium, where Mary would spend three years. Mary was associated with People to People International for many years, an organization founded by President Eisenhower. Mary was most recently People to People's President and Chief Executive Officer. She is the recipient of many honors and honorary degrees, including the Knight of Peace Award from the International University in Assisi, Italy, and an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from both Park University and William Jewell College in Missouri.

Mitch Yockelson is an archivist at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) where he works in the Office of the Inspector General as a member of the Archival Recovery Team (ART). Additionally, he teaches history at the United States Naval Academy and military history at Norwich University. Mitch leads tours to World War I and World War II battlefields for clients such as National Geographic Expeditions, Smithsonian Institution Residents Associate Program and the New York Times. He has appeared on 60 Minutes, PBS, the History Channel and the Pentagon Channel and has been quoted in the New York Times, Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal.
   
Mitch received a B.S. from Frostburg State University, an M.A. from George Mason University and a Ph.D. from the Royal Military College of Science, Cranfield University, United Kingdom.

Several of John Eisenhower's books will be available in the gift shop for purchase. The titles include The Bitter Woods: The Battle of the Bulge, General Ike: A Personal Reminiscence, and American General: The Life and Times of William Tecumseh Sherman.

The Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, a nonpartisan federal institution, is part of the Presidential Libraries network operated by the National Archives and Records Administration. Presidential Libraries promote understanding of the presidency and the American experience. We preserve and provide access to historical materials, support research, and create interactive programs and exhibits that educate and inspire.

A Traditional Farm Life 3-23-15 Grandma's Jello

March 23, 2015

A Traditional Farm Life

By Shasta Hamilton

Greetings from Enterprise, dear friends!  How delightful it is to begin to see lovely green spots creeping up everywhere.  I was surprised to see a few tulips spring up in our otherwise barren ditch last week.  About a block from our house the daffodils are already blooming.  Spring, glorious Spring!

Our two oldest boys planted potatoes on St. Patrick’s Day without any parental assistance, to our great delight.  (“Eyes” up, for those of you who are wondering.)  They planted two varieties—Red Pontiac and Red Norland.  We’re eager to see how our first garden in Enterprise will grow.  

We haven’t done a soil test, but the soil looks to be a nice loam without too much clay.  Thanks to the same kind neighbor who plowed our 80’ x120’ plot last fall, we now have a tractor-tilled great start to this year’s garden.  It’s a beautiful sight to look out upon 10,000 square feet of freshly tilled black earth.   Since Mom and Pop are pretty busy at the restaurant, this year it’s up to our boys to keep it from becoming a green carpet of weeds!

First, there was one.  Then, there were two.  Next, there were three, and now there are four. . . .Horses.

In the space of two weeks, our remuda has swelled from one lonely horse to a herd of four new “friends” trying to establish a pecking order in our relatively small pen.  Not surprisingly, fence building is on the docket for the boys as soon as possible.

As you remember, our buggy horse “Jack” was joined by “Bob” last week.  The same kind neighbor who gave our oldest son “Bob” completed his promised gift of a second Palomino horse named “Beauty.”  Our second son, with the help of his father, bought his first horse this week.  She is a buckskin mare named “Honey.” 

The boys have enjoyed socializing with their new friends this week. Next on their list—after fence building, of course—is building a round pen for horse training.  They are in the process of trying to secure enough wooden poles to get the job done. 

Meanwhile, at The Buggy Stop, we’ve added a couple Test Kitchen favorites to the menu.  Caraway Rye Bread and pastrami are now available for Pastrami on Rye lovers.  I didn’t grow up eating rye bread, but I’ve got to admit something wonderful happens when pastrami, Swiss cheese, and honey mustard are grilled between two slices of buttered Caraway Rye bread.  Delicious!

You might remember the Potato Salad Saga from a couple weeks ago.  It took a little tweaking in the Test Kitchen, but we are pleased to announce the addition of my mother-in-law’s Potato Salad to our custom sandwich lunch menu—no marriage counseling required, thankfully.

These admittedly one-sided chats we have each week have developed into two-sided conversations with many of you, dear friends, at The Buggy Stop.  It’s a privilege to speak with each one of you who mention reading this column.  How can I thank you for your continued interest in our family and for reading these weekly musings?

Come in this week and mention one of our horse’s names and we’ll give you a free cookie.  It will be fun to see how many of you take us up on our offer!

We had a birthday in the family this week.  Our second son—the same one who bought his own horse—turned 12 this week.  When we go to my parents to celebrate a birthday, certain components of the menu may change, but red Jello with mandarin oranges and pineapple chunks is always a constant.  It is so simple to make, you can easily enjoy it for a weeknight supper—no birthday party necessary.

Grandma’s Jello

1 pkg. (3 oz.) raspberry Jello

1 pkg. (3 oz.) cherry Jello

1 can (20 oz.) pineapple chunks

1 can (15 oz.) mandarin oranges

2 cups boiling water

2 cups juice, drained from above

fruits and reserved

Place contents of both Jello packages in a heat-proof bowl.  Add boiling water and stir until Jello is dissolved.  Add reserved juice (with water added to make 2 cups if necessary) and mix well.  Stir in pineapple chunks and mandarin oranges.  Pour into a 9x13 inch pan; Cover and chill in the refrigerator until set.

Shasta is a fifth generation rural Kansan now residing in Enterprise, Kansas.  She and her husband own and operate The Buggy Stop Home-Style Kitchen with their six home-schooled children.  You can reach The Buggy Stop by calling (785) 200-6385.