Williamsburg Villager January 2021
Williamsburg Villager January 2021
Happy New Year!
By David Crane
Well we made it to 2021. Yikes! We sincerely hope that this year will be better for everyone than last. We have been fortunate with steady business during this trying time, and hope it continues.
This time of year is hectic around the stove. Inventory, paperwork filing, accounts to balance and then I have to order for next Fall. It is always a guess. What will the economy be like? What will the weather bring? Wet or cold Fall? What will be the hit jacket or accessory? Do I have the right mixture of sizes? Will we order enough within budget constraints? If we don’t, will we be able to fill in from our various companies in season? Lots of questions that go into running a general store. Outdoor Retailer convention has been moved to virtual, so it will be interesting if I’ll find anything new to bring into the store. Shot Show will be virtual as well for us. We don’t know if ammo or firearm manufacturers will be able to restock our shelves by this summer. Lots of questions going through my head, so if I always look confused, this is why.
It was good to have Trask home for 2 ½ weeks this break for some down time and family time. Although Mason may not say so, I think he likes having his big brother home too. Trask is headed back to Wisconsin to finish his capstone project to graduate in May. It’s looking more and more like grad school for him, where he will be, he's not really sure yet. Mason is still deciding where to attend school, probably Westminster or Mizzou. I’ll keep you informed.
All of us at Crane’s Store (and the Museum), hope you and yours have a prosperous and healthy new year!
Same Stuff Different Year
By: Lance Corporal Ivan G. Roesner, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division
The year of 2021 has begun, and I am eager to see what will unfold in the coming months. Some of the Okinawan locals came on base and made traditional ramen for us to take part in their yearly tradition of feasting to celebrate a new year. It was very kind for them to volunteer their time and cook for us. And of course, the food was amazing. If a college student ate traditional ramen, they could never eat their go-to twenty-five cent packaged crap ever again.
The weather has cooled down significantly in the tropical pacific. It has been as low as fifty five degrees, which probably is not that bad to my fellow Midwesterners. Being out in a warm environment for almost a year can mess with your tolerance to chilly weather. When the sun is out, and a fresh breeze hits you, there is no place I’d rather be. The change of seasons feels like a reward for making it through the summer’s heat waves. While the temperature is quite comfortable to the Americans, the locals are a bit different. Fifties or sixties is considered sweater weather to them since they are more adapted to the summer heat. It can be quite amusing seeing them in well insulated coats while I feel perfectly fine in just a long sleeve shirt. I have to enjoy this weather while it lasts, because pretty soon I’ll be right back to being drenched in sweat because of the heat.
I would love to hear some of the questions from the readers of the Williamsburg Villager. If you have a question about the weather, the people, food, culture, or overall experience of Okinawa, please get in touch with me via email. I will answer questions to the best of my knowledge and as soon as possible!
Email: ivansinsights@gmail.com
Frost Flowers are Winter Treasures
Written by Nadia Navarrete-Tindall-Native Plants Specialist
Frost flowers of dittany (Cunila origanoides) and white crownbeard (Verbesina virginica) and in our backyard in Columbia, Missouri. Frost flowers are formed by sap at the base of stems when the air temperature is freezing but the ground is still warm, so the root system is still active. The ‘flowers’ this year have been more abundant and particularly spectacular possibly because the mild weather we had had in fall and even now.
I have not been able to see these phenomena in other species, however, there are reports of frost or ice flowers on other native or non-natives. For a list of plants that have been seen by others check this website: http://my.ilstu.edu/~jrcarter/ice/diurnal/stems/ . Some of the plants in this list include regular oregano, columbine and germander. Keep our eyes open you may have some of these beauties in your own yard.
Chinese Chicken Wings
By Eunice Niemeyer
- 6 lbs chicken wings
- 2/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup cider vinegar
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tsp garlic
Remove chicken wing tips and discard. Cut wings in half at joint. In large bowl stir together soy sauce and remaining ingredients. Add chicken and toss until well coated.
Refrigerate overnight. Remove wings from marinade and place in a single layer in jelly roll pan. Bake uncovered in 375 degree oven for 45 minutes until tender, brushing twice with marinade. Serve warm or cold.
The Williamsburg Villager is provided by Crane's Museum and Shoppes. Please submit any announcements to David Crane at Crane's Country Store located next door to the museum by the 15th of each month to ensure publication.
Annual subscriptions are available for a $12.00 donation to the museum.
Crane's Museum & Shoppes
10665 Old US Hwy 40
Williamsburg, MO 63388
877-254-3356
Crane's Museum is a Regional History Museum located in Williamsburg MO. We invite visitors of all ages to enjoy a step back in time. Enjoy breakfast or lunch in Marlene's Restaurant, shop for gifts at Town House Treasures, or get ready for any season at Crane's country Store's Clearance and Closeout Shop.