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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
January 27, 2011     Shelton Mason County Journal
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January 27, 2011
 
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Journal Falling in love L [!: TT[i: S with letters By NATALIE JOHNSON In our fast paced world of smart phones, email and text messaging, love letters have more or less become a thing of the past. Kristina McMorris spent a lot of time think- ing about this while writing her soon to be re- leased book "Letters from Home." Inspired by the true story of her grandpar- ents' long distance courtship through letters during World War II, McMorris began working on this book five years ago. ' "It all started with a family Christmas gift," she said "I had compiled the recipes that she (my grandmother) collected ... and created over de- cades." While interviewing her grandmother - Jean McPherren, a longtime Hoodspert resident - for the cookbook, McMorris discovered theexistence "She started talking about the courtship be- tween her and my grandfather, who she was very close to, she said. "They only met twice throughout the whole war." McMorris said she couldn't stop thinking about the 60 year old letter~ between McPher- ren and the 19 year old soldier sweetheart who became her husband of 50 years. "I thought that would make such a great mov- ie," she said. "Those letters are what everybody thinks they are - they're mushy and syrupy. You don't get that anymore with emails and text messages." In her head, McMorris started developing the plot and characters including a WWII soldier opening up his letters from home and imagining the girl who sent them. But unlike her grand- of her grandparents' WWII love letters that un- mother's stories, this one had a twist. til then, no one else in the family had seen. See Letters on page B-5 Courtesy photos Shucking forthe She ood Guild Sherwood Guild prepares for annual "Cooking with Xinh" charity By NATALIE JOHNSON Every year as spring approach- es, Janet Hilderman's phone starts ringing off the hook, as oyster lov- ers throughout the county rush to buy their tickets for the Sherwood Guild's annual "Cooking with Xinh" fundraiser. - "The same people come every year - I sell the tickets and they call me," Hilderman said. The fundraiser takes place on March 20 and 21 at 6 p.m. each night. It includes a cooking demon- stration and free recipes from Xinh Dwelley, of Xinh's Clam and Oyster House, plus two drinks, an oyster bar and a seafood buffet. "She (Dwelley) hasn't come up with the menu yet, but it doesn't matter, it will be fabulous," Hilder- man said. "Everything she does is amazing and she's a real charac- ter." Hilderman said that every year, Sherwood Guild members see many of the same faces at the fundraiser, partly because of the food and the fun atmosphere, and partly because of Dwelley. "Xinh, who is the funniest human on the planet, does a demonstration of two of the recipes that she's cook- ing, and each guest gets those reci- pes to take home," she said. "Not that you could ever make them to taste like she does anyway." The Sherwood Guild is a volun- teer organization made up of 24 women, Hilderman said. All pro- ceeds, minus the cost of food, from "Cooking with Xinh" go to Mason General Hospital. Hilderman said that the fund- raiser has a welcoming small town atmosphere, and often, people leave having made new friends. "(~nh) gives a really informative little talk about oysters and then people ask questions and they ban- ter back and forth and it's funny," she said. "The people there start out in this classroom formation and they're sitting with people they Journal photo by Natalie Johnson Janet Hilderman volunteers with the Sherwood Guild at the "Cooking with Xinh" event. don't know ... it just generates an energy so people are talking table to table in there and it's like a party." Hilderman said that the guild usually raises over $5,000 for the hospital at this fundraiser. The Sherwood guild .only does two fund- raisers a year, she said, the "Cook- ing with Xinh" night and the gala at Fantasy Forest. Hilderman said that she joined the Sherwood Guild after she re- tired, and was looking for some- thing to do. "I retired in 2003 ... I was born here ... I retired in October and then November was Fantasy For- est," she said. "I went to the open house to look at the Christmas trees." Hilderman ran into an old friend there who suggested that she join the Sherwood Guild. "I thought what the heck, you know?" she said. Hilderman's husband Bruce said that she had the right personality to break into any club in no time. "Janet walks into a room and ev- eryone is her friend immediately," he said. "When it comes to joining clubs and things it's very, very easy for her ... She's one of those won- de~$ul people." Hilderman said that she enjoys volunteering in her community, and it's the least she can do for her hometown of Shelton. "I think everybody should do some kind of community service, that's paying your dues for living in a place that's wonderful," she said. The "Cooking with Xinh" event takes place on Sunday, March 20, at 6 p.m. or Monday, March 21 at 6 p.m. at Xinh's Clam and Oyster House in Shelton. Only 80 seats are available each night, and reservations go fast. Tickets are $50 each and reserva- tions are required. For reservations, call 360-427- 4522, or 360-420-3623. See Cookin' on page B-5 Island mojo makes for a successful party " A big crowd showed up last Saturday ~,ight to cel- ebrate with Rod and Jenny. I wasn't able to attend, but I got a report from Richard Peet. Richard, by the way, needs a big island thank you the next time you see him. It was Richard's mojo that got the whole event going. And as I talked with Richard his first words were to thank all those who helped with the set up and the all ira- portant clean up. There were some 85 people there and after a champaign toast, Rod and Jen- ny opened a couple of presents. They were presented with a beautiful 14 inch crystal bowl send two wonderful Harstine Island sweat shirts. The pot- luck meal was extravagant as usual with a sizzling tur- key added and a huge cake donated by the Ponchets. A number of islanders gave tribute to Rod and Jenny and their years serv- ing the community. The Backwoods Boys were also on hand to sing a few songs and throw out a few jokes. A great time was had by all and in Richard Peets words, it wasa superior event. A new Inquiring Minds series begins on Sunday, Jan. 30, at 2 p.m. at the Harstine Island Community Hall. Those of you who have attended previous Inquiring Minds presentations know how professional the speak- ers are and how pleasant it is to spend a few hours on a cold, gray Sunday afternoon enjoying an interesting live presentation. This year's series fo- cuses on unique people and places in Washington State. The first speaker is Harriet Baskas, an award-winning author and radio producer. Her subje~ct will be 'TChat is That - Unusual and Off- beat People, Places, Things and Events in Washington State." Did you ever know that downtown Winlock fea- tures a statue of the world's largest egg? If you knew, did you wonder why? Harriet's presentation will delight you with insights into offbeat MIKE CALLAGHAN objects, events and stories and their re- lationship to local communities. Ad- mission is free and all are welcome, so come and and bring your friends. I bet you received your voters bal- lot in the mail this week. For the sake of our kids I hope you take time and vote- so ybdr homework as- signment this week is to just mark the ballot and put it in the mail -easy. Remember that on Satur- day, March 19 the Pioneer Kiwanis will be putting on their annual Crab and Clam Dinner. It is a wonderful event and the food is mouth watering. Don't forget those May concerts that are being planned by our wonderful Harstine Island Choir. WSU Extension will be presenting a free sep- tic maintenance workshop in partnership with Ma- son County Public Health on Thursday, Feb. 3 at the North Mason Library locat- ed at 23081 NE Route 3 in Belfair. Every person who attends will receive a cou- pon, discounting their next septic system pumping or operation and maintenance service. In addition, Mason County Public Health Staff will present on a variety of projects underway to im- prove water quality in Hood Canal. See Harstine on page B-5 Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Page B-1