Well, folks are gearing up for serious picnicking and grilling! My maternal relatives were professionals. Paul & Mary Medley parents of Peter, John, Ira, Fannie, Ruth & Helen. Mama (Mary Smith) was passed on by the time I began attending the events in the late 50s.
We arrived at Woodside Park(Scalzi, Stamford, CT) early. Aunt Ruth and I would get there at 6 or 7 on the morning of July 4th. We had come to get two tables and sit on them. It was hard work to lift the picnic tables. Eventually, the boys would arrive at the park- Peter, John and Ira, (Aunt Ruth & Mommy’s brothers). The process began with placing the tables on level ground, setting up and lighting the grills. The site was complete when the lounge chairs were placed. The ladies would dress the tables with linens, cutery, plates, condiments and decorations. Mommy always brought an old Hellmann’s mayonnaise jar filled with warm water and a bar of Ivory soap. It was for medicinal and hygiene purposes. At last the White Rock soda bottles were packed in ice. This was the soda that had the fairy kneeling on a rock looking at her reflecting in the lake. She was topless and in later years of political correctness the manufacturer clothed her. It did not matter to us the soda was good!
Once the grills were stoking, breakfast was cooked. In great-grandmama’s cast iron pan you could hear thick bacon sizzle, fried eggs and grease popping. In the medium sauce pan bubbled grits which would soon have cheese added.
Soon we were eating and talking about the old days and the new days. When Uncle Ira was home from the U.S. Air Force we learned about the military and life at international bases. He was a great speaker and very handsome. I was very much influenced by his example of excellence.
Fourth of July food prep started the day before with Mommy and Aunt Ruth making potato salad, chopped barbecue,macaroni ma salad, deviled eggs and onion dip. Aunt Mary, Uncle Peter’s wife was a great baker-she brought the church lady mile high and wide cakes, which were German Chocolate, Coconut Cake and sometimes, Peach Cobbler! We miss her; she’s in heaven now.
Mid-day we ate hamburgers and hot, dogs. We played cards, charades, sang and had a guys vs. girls softball game. We always shared our food with the “hobos” (called homeless today). All of the cousins caught up with each other. Beverly, Phyllis (Peter Medley), Deborah, John (John Medley), Duke, Crystal (Ruth Medley), Robin and me (Fannie Rose Medley) are all first cousins (grandchildren). Jorena and Phyllis (Phoenix), Robert, Jr. second cousins (great-grands). Peter, Whitney,Jessica are all third cousins(great-great grands). Stephen, Peter, Jr.,Paige, Hunter are all fourth cousins (great-great-great grands).
The day would end with steak, peppers,onions, corn on the cob and a garden salad with tomatoes from Papa’s garden. Yum, Yum. I love these memories today and wished I had savored them more in the moment. These people are my heroes even though the first generation is almost gone. But, in the early years of my childhood I did not know time was moving. I can make all the recipes, but many of us do not eat them because we are vegan, eat only fish,etc. I still prepare tradition in my home having learned how to down-size. This is a tough birthday this year for America; fragile, anxious. Like Kevin Costner the actor, I too ,”do not recognize her. She does not sound like herself. It will take a lot of compassion, patience and skill to work through this time in our homeland”. We have a resident in 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue who should be invited to leave. There are congressional members who should be ashamed of their acts of omission. Congresswoman Maxine Walters is welcome to dine at Hammerin’ Hank’s Place anytime.
Come for breakfast, Aunt Maxine and Hank will serve you up a low country breakfast; shrimp, cheese grits, biscuits and”sparkling” orange juice.
Hammerin' Hank's Place 