New Local Books Available

Sanders Co, Montana and Sandpoint, Idaho inspire two new offerings about this area

Fredi Pargeter and the Sanders County Historical Society have collaborated in the release of Wild Plums and Cabbages, a Taste of the Past. The book, which retails for $20 (or $23 with postage) can be purchased at the Old Jail Museum, Linda’s Gifts in Thompson Falls, or Calamity Annie’s in Plains. Or purchase via mail from the Old Jail Museum, PO Box 774, Thompson Falls, MT 59873. Vendors are needed elsewhere, so call 208-827-9897 if you’d like to have copies to sell.

Helen Meadows writes in the forward for Wild Plums and Cabbages that, “like any recipe, this book is about blending - the blending of eras, cultures and flavors.” More than just a cookbook, this collection includes stories and photographs of the area shared by descendents throughout Sanders County - from Heron to Lonepine. And there’s recipes, too. “Some of the recipes have been lovingly handed down from generation to generation...” Helen wrote. “...some were tucked into the satchels of immigrants who came to America for a new life, and others represent a style of cooking from Native American tribes.

“The SCHS museum’s 2008 exhibit features “a Taste of the Past” - 200 years of hunting, gathering, raising, growing, cooking and marketing.”

Read about traders and mountain men and then, if you’re daring, try roasted beaver tail. Prepare German pancakes as you read about the gold trains bringing eager prospectors to the area. Learn about Chike Draszt, an early settler in Whitepine who was licensed to operate steam-driven farm equipment, then try out his recipe for malt beer. Get caught up on the history of the Dettwiler family of Heron, then try out Alice’s steamed brown bread (find two old tin coffee cans to cook it in, first).

Wild Plums and Cabbages is Fredi’s second book on the history of Sanders County, and she has written eight others about Western Washington. History has been a passion of hers for 35 years, and she combines it with her journalism degree in her business as Perry Publishing.

This collection of stories and recipes was inspired by Helen Meadows, the wife of Bill Meadows, who is the grandson of an 1884 gold rush era settler. The couple live on the farm he homesteaded.

A long-awaited new book of community can now be yours. Sandpoint: A Small Town with a Big Heart will be unveiled and available for purchase at a book launching reception on Saturday, June 28 at the Cedar Street Bridge. The reception begins at 6:30 with a ceremony and ribbon cutting at 7, and continues with complimentary hors d’oeuvres, music by Dolce Quartet, free prizes, a no-host wine/beer bar, and an ongoing slide show of the book.

Sandpoint photographer Tina Friedman envisioned a book that has captured the stories and photography of a little town by a lake.

Sandpoint’s richness lies not only in its breathtaking scenery and multitude of activities (which are recorded in this book), but also comes from a community of people who time and again show their heart and generosity for the common good by never turning away neighbors in need. Sandpoint: A Small Town with a Big Heart focuses on this aspect of sharing, acceptance, and connectedness.

This community spirit is documented with almost one hundred stories, written by many of Sandpoint’s respected writers, over a thousand of Tina’s beautiful photographs, and additional spectacular photography from other well-known local photographers, including the renowned Ross Hall. This project truly was a community effort, sponsored by local businesses, and made into form by numerous creative people. Without this support, this project might still be only a vision.

In recognition of this book’s theme of giving, all profits from book sales will be donated back into the community of Sandpoint, through The Heart of Sandpoint, Inc. (a nonprofit corporation established to distribute the proceeds from book sales).

Come support this special, heart-filled town by celebrating the launching of this extraordinary new book that is a must for all who cherish this community.