20070912 Westminster Eagle: Eagles top Owls to gain early edge in county

Eagles top Owls to gain early edge in county

09/12/07 By Steve Jones

Westminster Eagle

For the latest in Carroll County Sports coverage, read Steve Jones in the Westminster Eagle

Related on Soundtrack: Sports in Carroll County, Sports in Carroll County Football, Sports in Carroll County Football Westminster High School

See also: 20070912 Westminster Eagle: Carroll County High School Football Results and Schedule

Also see: 20070907 Francis Scott Key vs Westminster High Game Video Clips

And: 20070919 Part 1 of Herb Ruby and Ruby Field - Resetting a local gem to mark Ruby Field

Westminster Eagle sports writer wrote:

Thomas' run clinches season-opening victory

They gained only five yards of total offense in the first half and made only seven first downs the entire game.

Their best player was limited to less than two yards per carry, and they didn't complete a single pass during the warm, muggy night.

Yet somehow, Francis Scott Key found a way to win.

The Eagles utilized a standout defense that limited Westminster to just 53 yards on the ground and big plays from two unlikely heroes to record a 14-9 win over the host Westminster Owls in the season opener for both teams Friday night.

While the Westminster defense bottled up last year's county rushing leader Brad Martz for most of the contest, the Eagles got game-changing plays from two less heralded running backs.

Dustin Ebaugh raced 22 yards for a third-quarter touchdown and David Thomas added the clinching score on a 55-yard run with just over two minutes remaining.

"Everybody knows about Brad, but we also have other playmakers," said Key's second-year head coach Bill Hyson. "Dustin came close to popping some long runs and David had a nice one for the touchdown. Along with Tyler Bridges, they're going to give Brad some opportunities down the road, because defenses will have to start respecting them, too."

The win enabled defending county champion Key to take an early lead in the county race.

The Eagles host a formidable North Carroll team this Friday, while Westminster travels to South Carroll to continue the county's oldest rivalry.

Key gained just five total yards in the first half, as Westminster clearly won the battle at the line of scrimmage. Martz, who led the county with 1,443 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns a year ago, had seven carries for minus-8 yards in the opening half.

The Owls picked up nine first downs to just one for the Eagles, but Westminster could not convert opportunities into points. On their opening drive, the Owls kept the ball for 13 plays but did not score. On Westminster's next possession, a 10-play march resulted in the only points of the first half, as Tom Magrogan booted a 31-yard field goal that gave the Owls a 3-0 lead at the break.

"How many opportunities did we have that we didn't take advantage of in the first half?," said Westminster head coach Brad Wilson, who watched the Owls lose their first season opener in his four years at the helm. "We made young mistakes and just didn't finish."

Francis Scott Key scored on its first possession of the second half. After Thomas returned a Bobby Krauk punt to the Westminster 36-yard line, the Eagles needed just five plays to reach the end zone. Ebaugh followed the blocking of Martz and dashed for a 22-yard touchdown to put Francis Scott Key ahead for good with 6:50 left in the third quarter.

The teams picked up a combined three first downs on the next nine series, as the defenses dominated into the latter stages of the fourth quarter.

Krauk sailed a 55-yard punt past Thomas that was downed at the Eagle 37, and Martz moved Key to midfield with a 13-yard burst up the middle. After a delay of game penalty, Thomas put the game away for the Eagles.

The senior running back moved through a sizable hole then cut to the left sideline and outraced two Westminster defenders for a 55-yard touchdown that gave Key a 14-3 advantage with 2:05 remaining in the game.

"I can't say enough about the blocking of our line," said Thomas, who led all rushers with 74 yards on seven carries. "We didn't change our blocking schemes (in the second half). We just came out and played hard."

Westminster found new life on its next offensive play.

Senior running back Hunter Smith took a short screen pass from sophomore quarterback Andy Gilford and raced 73 yards down the right sideline for the Owls' only touchdown of the night with 1:45 remaining.

Smith was stopped short on the two-point conversion try, but a well-placed onside kick by junior John Hajnos was recovered by Westminster at the Key 49.

The Eagles' defense smothered Westminster on its final offensive series to preserve the win, as Key linebackers David Groomes and Dean Seal sacked Gilford on consecutive plays to end the game.

"I was proud of their effort," Hyson said of his defense, which yielded just 189 total yards. "We were fortunate to be down only 3-0 (at half-time) with the short field that we were playing on."

Smith, who was the only Owl back to run with the ball, accounted for most of Westminster's offensive output.

A former wide receiver who was moved to running back after senior Jesse Astlin suffered a season-ending injury in a late August scrimmage, Smith gained 68 yards on 20 carries and also caught five passes for 75 yards.

In his first start, Gilford completed 16 of 33 passes for 136 yards and one score. Junior linebacker Brett Baer led the Owl defensive effort, recording a game-high nine tackles while also playing a strong game on the offensive line.

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20070907 Francis Scott Key vs Westminster High Video Clip 1

20070907 Francis Scott Key vs Westminster High Game Clip 2

20070907 Francis Scott Key vs Westminster High Game Clip 3

_____

20070907 Francis Scott Key vs Westminster High Game Video Clips

Westminster High School – Francis Scott Key football game at Ruby Field on Friday, Sept. 7 in Carroll County Maryland. www.kevindayhoff.net

Francis Scott Key vs Westminster High Game Video Clips

September 7, 2007

I took three quick videos at the Westminster – Francis Scott Key football game on Friday, Sept. 7 in Carroll County Maryland.

I had the pleasure to attend the “rededication” of the “Ruby Field” sign under the scoreboard at the Westminster High School football field right before the Westminster – Francis Scott Key football game on Friday, Sept. 7.

After the rededication ceremonies, I stayed to watch some of the game and took several short videos…

Update: Steve Jones, writing in the Westminster Eagle, wrote about the game on September 12, 2007:

“The Eagles utilized a standout defense that limited Westminster to just 53 yards on the ground and big plays from two unlikely heroes to record a 14-9 win over the host Westminster Owls in the season opener for both teams Friday night.”

More: 20070912 Westminster Eagle: Eagles top Owls to gain early edge in county

Westminster Eagle

For the latest in Carroll County Sports coverage, read Steve Jones in the Westminster Eagle

Related on Soundtrack: Sports in Carroll County, Sports in Carroll County Football, Sports in Carroll County Football Westminster High School

20051207 Carroll Public Schools’ Extracurricular Activities teaches values

Update: See also: 20070912 Westminster Eagle: Carroll County High School Football Results and Schedule

And:

20070912 Westminster Eagle: Eagles top Owls to gain early edge in county

-----

20070907 Francis Scott Key vs Westminster High Video Clip 1

20070907 Francis Scott Key vs Westminster High Game Clip 2

20070907 Francis Scott Key vs Westminster High Game Clip 3

_____

Kevin Dayhoff September 7^th, 2007 www.kevindayhoff.net

20070907 Francis Scott Key vs Westminster High Game Video Clips

20070905 Special to the Westminster Eagle Edward Hopper: A stranger in a world he never made

Edward Hopper: A stranger in a world he never made

09/05/07 By Kevin E. Dayhoff

Special to The Eagle

There is a certain unexplainable enigma that draws folks back again and again to ponder the mysteries of Edward Hopper's "American Scene" paintings.

Perhaps it is Hopper's peculiar way of depicting the stark existence of the human condition in such a simple "language" which begs for questions ... yet offers no answers.

Both questions and answers are welcome when the first major Hopper exhibit in Washington, D.C. in 25 years opens this month. The Carroll County Arts is hosting a trip to the exhibit at the National Gallery on Sept. 25 (see box).

The theme of a sophisticated confrontation with psychological tension and isolation is evident in Hopper's most famous work, the 1942 "Nighthawks."

That painting, according to Hopper himself, is of "a restaurant on New York's Greenwich Avenue, where two streets meet." Perhaps prophetically, progress did away with the diner long ago.

"Nighthawks" is a painted storyboard for a film noir movie on the late night lonely lives of four mysterious characters. It is left to each viewer to provide the plot and dialogue.

The painting shows no visible entrance or exit. The characters appear trapped and highlighted in the glare of the artificial light.

Hopper died in 1967. According to the diaries of his wife, Josephine Hopper, he always explained that the "Nighthawks" painting depicted "three characters." He also admitted that he painting was "unconsciously ... painting the loneliness of a large city."

But perhaps the best explanation of the painting came from A. E. Housman, who once wrote about being "a stranger and afraid. In a world I never made."

On a recent trip to Boston, I leaped at the opportunity to see the genius of Mr. Hopper, considered by many art historians to be one of the most influential -- if not one of the most popular -- artists of the 20th century.

The exhibit at Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, included much of his often overlooked earlier works, such as "New York Corner," one of his earliest oil paintings from 1913; "Two Trawlers," a watercolor from 1923-24; "Gloucester Mansion," 1924; "Box Factory, Gloucester," 1928; and "House of the Fog Horn I" from 1927.

In pieces such as 1929's "Chop Suey" -- a favorite for many Hopper aficionados; as well as "Rooms for Tourists," 1945; "Cape Cod Evening," 1939; and "Office at Night," 1940, one may gain some insight into Mr. Hopper's emphasis on the importance of the small details of life.

After being exhibited in Boston through Aug. 19, the Hopper exhibit now moves to The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., where it will be displayed Sept. 16, 2007 to Jan. 21, 2008.

In addition to the Carroll County Arts Council bus trip on Sept. 25, Hopper's work is the subject of a documentary that accompanies the exhibition's opening. In the Baltimore area, the film will be shown on MPT Channel 67, Sunday, Sept. 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr.org.

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20070909 Westminster Common Council Meetings Information

Westminster Common Council Meetings Information

Updated September 09, 2007

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For posts and information about Westminster Common Council meeting minutes on “Soundtrack” click here: Westminster Common Council Meeting Minutes

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####

20070906 Bethesda firm touting benefits of an incinerator by Sherry Greenfield

Bethesda firm touting benefits of an incinerator by Sherry Greenfield

Thursday, Sept. 6, 2007

Bethesda firm touting benefits of an incinerator

by Sherry Greenfield | Staff Writer

A political consulting and market research firm in Bethesda is contacting media in Frederick County to tout the benefits of incinerators.

Bill Holleran, vice president of Potomac Incorporated, called The Gazette last week to offer its services in the newspaper’s reporting of a proposed jointly built trash incinerator for Frederick and Carroll counties.

He wanted to talk about the positive attributes of the Montgomery County Resource Recovery Facility in Dickerson, which is similar to what Frederick and Carroll counties are considering building. The firm’s president, Keith Haller, confirmed that Covanta Energy, which built and operates the Montgomery County incinerator, is a client, but would not say specifically if Covanta paid Potomac Incorporated to call media in Frederick County.

Covanta Energy has placed a bid to build a similar incinerator for Frederick and Carroll counties.

[…]

Frederick County officials are looking into building an incinerator that burns trash and turns it into fuel to generate electricity that could be sold to an electric company, and turned to Praisner to learn about Montgomery’s experience in building one. Michael Marschner, director of Frederick County’s Utilities and Solid Waste Management, said Tuesday the county did not hire Potomac Incorporated to educate residents on the benefits of incinerators.

‘‘They are not working for Frederick County,” Marschner said. ‘‘I don’t think we need a public relations person. I think we need education.”

Marschner confirmed that Conventa is one of two waste management companies that bid for the job of building a joint incinerator for both Frederick and Carroll counties, a Frederick plant only, or a Carroll plant only.

The other company is Wheelabrator Technologies of Houston, Texas.

[…]

‘‘We do not need a public relations firm,” said Robin B. Davidov, executive director of the authority. ‘‘I can do that myself.”

Read the entire article here: Bethesda firm touting benefits of an incinerator

20070905 Westminster Eagle Week in Review

Westminster Eagle Week in Review

Wednesday, September 5th, 2007 - Posted Saturday, September 8th, 2007

Kevin E. Dayhoff

---

Day at State Fair fills us with Carroll County pride
What better way to spend one of the last hoorahs of summer than enjoying a day at the Maryland State Fair?

The fair, which ended its run on Monday, is always a sensory overload of lights, sounds, smells, food and the people watching, not to mention the traditional fair favorites such as the animal...
[Read full story]

Local News Saturday, September 08

Recreation

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LEVEL PLAYING FIELD

Balance is theme in Carroll County as 2007 football campaign begins

Two years ago, football teams at Westminster and South Carroll high schools reached Maryland state championship games in their respective classifications.

That same year, Francis Scott Key and Winters Mill also made postseason appearances as Carroll County placed four of its seven schools in the MPSSAA state playoffs.

It's possible that same scenario could happen in 2007.

While several teams were depleted by graduation, the quality of football in the county appears to be at an all-time high. Consider th...
[Read full story]

---

Test scores are in, but warrant a closer look
The results are in, but county education officials last week weren't quite sure whether they warranted a cheer ... or a more subdued pat on the back.

Just as students were settling back into school, Carroll County Public Schools staffers were diving last week into a detailed analysis of new High S...
[Read full story]

---

Family treasures at HSCC
Appraisal Day taps into history and family pride

It's interesting to see what people have in their attics, basements and stored away in closets.

For Timmi Pierce, executive director of the Historical Society of Carroll County, one of the most interesting "finds" during last year's HSCC Antiques ...
[Read full story]

Focus on People

---

Focus on People
Venturing Crew earns environmental honor

Representatives of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Boy Scouts of America this month presented the youth of Venturing Crew 202 with the William T. Hornaday Award for significant service in the field of natural resource conservation.

To ear...
[Read full story]

Business Briefs

---

Business Briefs
Primm takes new position at New Windsor

New Windsor State Bank has announced that Louna S. Primm recently joined the bank in the position of executive vice president and chief lending officer.

In the new role, she is responsible for NWSB's commercial, residential and consumer lending.

Primm h...
[Read full story]

Opinion

---

Commuter service trial run might be a way to test transit waters
Editorial

The Board of County Commissioners raised a few eyebrows recently with a reported discussion of the future of transit service in Carroll County and whether there's any desire to connect with neighborhoods closer to, or even in, Baltimore city.

In the wake of that discussion, a longtime ...
[Read full story]

Wolf at the Door

---

Commuters could milk the railway lines for all they're worth
I'm always fascinated about the words or sayings we use.

I once heard a man at a gathering say, "Well, I waited and took the milk train down to Baltimore."

I couldn't help but ask him if he knew where or how that expression started. I then had an opportunity to use some stored up facts.

Farmer...
[Read full story]

Culleton on Carroll

---

Taxpayers support those who spend in the wrong places
I think Ebenezer Scrooge must have been a Republican. And if he lived today, he would buy a McMansion in Carroll County.

Scanning the local papers I find that the wealthier people get the stingier they are. For example, our commissioners get paid about the same as the beginning salary for a comput...
[Read full story]

[Local news archives]

YMCA weighing options

Walking through the Westminster Inn last week, Jeff Sprinkle couldn't help but remember his days in the building as a student.

Both he and his father, Sprinkle said, attended school at the Inn when it was a schoolhouse. Despite the fact that the classrooms have been converted to bedrooms and the d...
[Read full story]

---

Test scores are in, but warrant a closer look
The results are in, but county education officials last week weren't quite sure whether they warranted a cheer ... or a more subdued pat on the back.

Just as students were settling back into school, Carroll County Public Schools staffers were diving last week into a detailed analysis of new High S...
[Read full story]

---

Teens' creativity reaps reward from library
For the fifth year, middle school and high school youth of Carroll County were given an opportunity to show off their writing chops during the Carroll County Public Library's Summer Shorts contest.

The five county library branches collected a total of 70 entries over the course of the summer.

La...
[Read full story]

---

News Briefs
Steam and Gas show at Farm Museum, Sept. 7-9

The Mason Dixon Historical Society Inc. will host its 45th annual Steam and Gas Round-Up at the Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St., Friday-Sunday, Sept. 7, 8 and 9, 7 a.m. to dusk each day. The day starts with breakfast, 7-10 a.m., and a flag...
[Read full story]

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Fun and games for a good cause: Youth Services Bureau
The second annual Day to Play on Saturday, Sept. 8, in Westminster promises a fun time for children and adults alike, but also has a serious mission in mind -- helping raise money for the Carroll County Youth Services Bureau.

The Day to Play fund-raiser calls on teams of participants to scour the ...
[Read full story]

---

More Headlines

Family treasures at HSCC

Education Notes

Education Notes

09/05/07
By Heidi Schroeder

Email this story to a friend

Mad about Monarchs at Bear Branch

Carroll County Outdoor School and Bear Branch Nature Center will sponsor "Monarch Madness" on Sunday, Sept. 23, noon to 4 p.m. at Bear Branch Nature Center.

Participants will celebrate the arrival of autumn by learning about the annual migration of Monarch butterflies to and from Mexico. They will also have the chance to meet a life-sized Monarch butterfly and caterpillar while enjoying butterfly and native plant walks, a monarch life cycle exhibit, monarch migration tag and release, native plants and butterfly items for sale. Discussions during the day will include monarch "stations," native gardening and Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly restoration.

There will also be crafts, games, face painting and butterfly storytelling. Food, beverages and souvenirs will be for sale.

Call 410-848-2517 or e-mail bbnc@carr.org for more information. Bear Branch Nature Center is located at 300 John Owings Road in Westminster.

> The Carroll County Board of Education will meet on Monday, Sept. 10, 5 p.m., in room 007 of the board offices, 125 N. Court St., Westminster. The public is invited to attend. The agenda and back-up materials for the meeting will be available for review on BoardDocs at the CCPS Web site at www.carrollk12.org.

> The Westminster Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization will meet at the school on Monday, Sept. 17, 3:30 p.m. For more information, e-mail WestminsterPTO@yahoo.com.

> Westminster High School's Instrumental Music Boosters will hold an indoor-outdoor Craft Fair, Flea Market and Yard Sale on Saturday, Sept. 8, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Westminster High School, 1225 Washington Road in Westminster. There will be food and door prizes, as well as a children's corner with baby sitting.

For more information, call Annette at 410-857-9673. Proceeds benefit Westminster High Instrumental Music.

> A public hearing on the boundary line changes for Ebb Valley Elementary School and the new northeast high school will be held Monday, Sept. 17, 7 p.m. at North Carroll High School, 1400 Panther Drive, Hampstead.

I want to hear about upcoming events and achievements at your school. Share items with me by phone at 410-386-0334 or by e-mail at hschroeder AT patuxent.com.

Sports Notes

'Beastlax' seeking players for grades 10-12

The Beastlax 7-on-7 Fall Lacrosse League is looking for high school age players in 10th, 11th and 12th grades.

All games will be held in Westminster on Saturday afternoons, Sept. 15-Oct. 20. E-mail or call for information, at [Read full story]

---

Reporter's Notebook

* BIG SHOES TO FILL ... Graduation took many top players from 2006. Just two of the county's top five rushers and two of the top 10 receivers return, so this could be a rebuilding year for several teams. Also, only two regular quarterbacks are back for 2007: Liberty's Colton Weaver and North Carroll...
[Read full story]

Key Games to Watch
From cross-county road trips to cross-town rivalries, the 2007 Carroll County high school football schedule has several critical matches at key times. For some, these contests could set the tone of the 2007 campaign early on; for others, a late-season road game or poor weather could make the differe...
[Read full story]

More Headlines GAME FACES

Coffee, doughnuts and ice cream in Boston by Kevin Dayhoff
My wife and I recently spent our annual "history week trek" in Boston, Mass.

We had already completed our obligatory family vacation at the beach. For the additional annual week away, often in the past we have headed south to the "grits belt" for a "history-and-working" vacation. Williamsburg, Va....
[Read full story]

20070905 Song of the South: No grits, no glory

Song of the South: No grits, no glory

Note: This column first appeared in the Westminster Eagle on August 1^st, 2007. Since it ran I have had several requests for copies… This is a longer version of that column. It is cross posted on my Westminster Eagle blog. "The Winchester Report":

Winchester Report: Song of the South: No grits, no glory

(Also see: “20070802 Welcome to the Outer Banks Grits Grill”)

Please enjoy.

08/01/07 – September 5^th, 2007 By Kevin E. Dayhoff

Recently, my family ventured on our annual sojourn south. It's a combination family reunion and vacation, as folks rendezvous from literally all over the world to a house with its very own ZIP code in Nags Head, N.C.

Many are aware of North Carolina's Outer Banks as a family values-oriented destination of sun, beach and unhurried afternoons reading a book -- not to mention the leisurely romantic walks on the beach at sunset.

But of course, the real reason I like to go is to watch the Tour de France and the readily-available access to the most northern reaches of the "Georgia Ice Cream" belt ... which runs from Louisiana to North Carolina.

What's that, you ask? What is "Georgia Ice Cream?" Honey child, I am so glad you asked. It's perhaps the most misunderstood of Southern delicacies: grits.

Many folks from Carroll County are not familiar with grits -- and that's a crying shame. The South is known for its gentile politeness and friendliness, and there's little doubt that there's direct cause and affect between being accommodating and friendly and the consumption of grits.

Indeed, the state of South Carolina decreed grits its "state food" in 1973. The reverential state declaration proclaimed, in part, that, "grits could very well play a vital role in the future of not only this state, but also the world."

You may very well consider standing, placing your hand on your heart, and re-reading the previous sentence.

In the past, northerners have come up with many well-documented ways of annoying southerners. Lengthy historic and economic dissertations will give the uninformed a certain insight that disagreements over the manufacture and distribution of grits could be considered one of the causes of the “War of Northern Aggression.”

But one of the best sure-fire ways of having “Fort Sumter moment” is to suggest, gasp, that grits is somewhat akin to cream of wheat. Not.

In 1952, the Charleston News and Courier proclaimed that grits, "an inexpensive, simple and thoroughly digestible food, should be made popular throughout the world. Given enough of it, the inhabitants of planet Earth would have nothing to fight about. A man full of (grits) is a man of peace."

The singular noun, "grits" has its roots from the Old English word, "grytta" meaning a coarse meal of any kind.

Native Americans introduced ground maize -- grits -- to the early English settlers many hundreds of years ago when the colonists were illegal aliens and did not speak the language of the land.

Outside the South, folks attempt to make the word "grits" plural. Not so. Consider the word, spaghetti, which is considered to be plural in form but takes a singular verb. (One does not, for example, write "spaghetti are.") Anytime you hear "grits are good," that is a sure-fire sign you're dealing with a Yankee who is not properly schooled in the fine art of grits.

According to one of my holiest Outer Banks destinations, the Grits Grill: "There are two basic types: corn grits and hominy grits. Corn grits (is) made from dried, milled corn kernels. Hominy grits (is) made by soaking corn in lye water for several days and then dried."

Of course, it's worth mentioning that the Grits Grill also serves another Southern delicacy, Krispy Kreme Donuts.

Many folks consider grits to be solely a breakfast food. Wrong. Grits is good for breakfast, lunch or dinner. In the traditional South, grits automatically comes with breakfast. Once while traveling in the South, I specifically asked for an order of grits. The waitress glanced at me sideways and chewed her gum at a faster pace as she decreed, "Honey, grits just comes."

Many folks simply eat grits with a touch of salt and butter. Of course the real grits aficionado eats 'em smothered with bacon grease with their pinkie finger extended. I like grits mixed lightly ... with steak and eggs over-light. Please consult your cardiologist for additional consumption instructions.

As you can now easily understand, in a world pre-occupied with conflict and environmental perils, if more grits were served at mealtime, this food of love and peace could very well save the planet.

The Carroll County commissioners should consider passing an ordinance requiring, at a minimum, grits be served in all county restaurants for six months prior to all elections. They should certainly be served at all public hearings.

The Maryland General Assembly might consider going one-step further than South Carolina and passing legislation requiring grits to be a mandatory menu item in all state restaurants.

No grits, no glory.

Have you ever heard of folks arguing while sharing a meal of grits? I rest my case. At the Westminster Eagle, all we are saying is:

Give grits a chance.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster, and welcomes recipe ideas for grits.

E-mail him at kdayhoff AT carr DOT org or kevindayhoff AT gmail DOT com

http://www.kevindayhoff.net/

His columns appear in The Tentacle, http://www.thetentacle.com/; Westminster Eagle Opinion http://www.thewestminstereagle.com/ and Winchester Report.

Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ (http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/) http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

20070905 Song of the South: No grits, no glory

Song of the South: No grits, no glory

Note: This column first appeared in the Westminster Eagle on August 1^st, 2007. Since it ran I have had several requests for copies… This is a longer version of that column. It is cross posted on my Westminster Eagle blog. "The Winchester Report":

Winchester Report: Song of the South: No grits, no glory

(Also see: “20070802 Welcome to the Outer Banks Grits Grill”)

Please enjoy.

08/01/07 – September 5^th, 2007 By Kevin E. Dayhoff

Recently, my family ventured on our annual sojourn south. It's a combination family reunion and vacation, as folks rendezvous from literally all over the world to a house with its very own ZIP code in Nags Head, N.C.

Many are aware of North Carolina's Outer Banks as a family values-oriented destination of sun, beach and unhurried afternoons reading a book -- not to mention the leisurely romantic walks on the beach at sunset.

But of course, the real reason I like to go is to watch the Tour de France and the readily-available access to the most northern reaches of the "Georgia Ice Cream" belt ... which runs from Louisiana to North Carolina.

What's that, you ask? What is "Georgia Ice Cream?" Honey child, I am so glad you asked. It's perhaps the most misunderstood of Southern delicacies: grits.

Many folks from Carroll County are not familiar with grits -- and that's a crying shame. The South is known for its gentile politeness and friendliness, and there's little doubt that there's direct cause and affect between being accommodating and friendly and the consumption of grits.

Indeed, the state of South Carolina decreed grits its "state food" in 1973. The reverential state declaration proclaimed, in part, that, "grits could very well play a vital role in the future of not only this state, but also the world."

You may very well consider standing, placing your hand on your heart, and re-reading the previous sentence.

In the past, northerners have come up with many well-documented ways of annoying southerners. Lengthy historic and economic dissertations will give the uninformed a certain insight that disagreements over the manufacture and distribution of grits could be considered one of the causes of the “War of Northern Aggression.”

But one of the best sure-fire ways of having “Fort Sumter moment” is to suggest, gasp, that grits is somewhat akin to cream of wheat. Not.

In 1952, the Charleston News and Courier proclaimed that grits, "an inexpensive, simple and thoroughly digestible food, should be made popular throughout the world. Given enough of it, the inhabitants of planet Earth would have nothing to fight about. A man full of (grits) is a man of peace."

The singular noun, "grits" has its roots from the Old English word, "grytta" meaning a coarse meal of any kind.

Native Americans introduced ground maize -- grits -- to the early English settlers many hundreds of years ago when the colonists were illegal aliens and did not speak the language of the land.

Outside the South, folks attempt to make the word "grits" plural. Not so. Consider the word, spaghetti, which is considered to be plural in form but takes a singular verb. (One does not, for example, write "spaghetti are.") Anytime you hear "grits are good," that is a sure-fire sign you're dealing with a Yankee who is not properly schooled in the fine art of grits.

According to one of my holiest Outer Banks destinations, the Grits Grill: "There are two basic types: corn grits and hominy grits. Corn grits (is) made from dried, milled corn kernels. Hominy grits (is) made by soaking corn in lye water for several days and then dried."

Of course, it's worth mentioning that the Grits Grill also serves another Southern delicacy, Krispy Kreme Donuts.

Many folks consider grits to be solely a breakfast food. Wrong. Grits is good for breakfast, lunch or dinner. In the traditional South, grits automatically comes with breakfast. Once while traveling in the South, I specifically asked for an order of grits. The waitress glanced at me sideways and chewed her gum at a faster pace as she decreed, "Honey, grits just comes."

Many folks simply eat grits with a touch of salt and butter. Of course the real grits aficionado eats 'em smothered with bacon grease with their pinkie finger extended. I like grits mixed lightly ... with steak and eggs over-light. Please consult your cardiologist for additional consumption instructions.

As you can now easily understand, in a world pre-occupied with conflict and environmental perils, if more grits were served at mealtime, this food of love and peace could very well save the planet.

The Carroll County commissioners should consider passing an ordinance requiring, at a minimum, grits be served in all county restaurants for six months prior to all elections. They should certainly be served at all public hearings.

The Maryland General Assembly might consider going one-step further than South Carolina and passing legislation requiring grits to be a mandatory menu item in all state restaurants.

No grits, no glory.

Have you ever heard of folks arguing while sharing a meal of grits? I rest my case. At the Westminster Eagle, all we are saying is:

Give grits a chance.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster, and welcomes recipe ideas for grits.

E-mail him at kdayhoff AT carr DOT org or kevindayhoff AT gmail DOT com

www.kevindayhoff.net

His columns appear in The Tentacle, www.thetentacle.com; Westminster Eagle Opinion www.thewestminstereagle.com and Winchester Report.

20070904 How to Avoid the Freshman 15

How to Avoid the Freshman 15

September 4^th, 2007

This post is dedicated to everyone who just dropped-off a loved-one at college.

I try and follow nutrition issues because a younger family member wants to be a nutritionist and I felt that a good uncle would wanna participate in meaningful conversations… I’m not sure that it’s working, but that might be the stuff of another conversation.

I was howling when I read the part “Unfortunately, as a diet plan, 47 bowls of cereal per day doesn't work so well.”

Our loved-one, whom we just dropped-off at college, immediately bypassed the fresh fruit, tempting wraps, and salads and began wolfing-down bowls of cereal… As much as I am also a cereal-lover myself, cereal must be a college freshman thing.

Me, I was addicted to macaroni and cheese in college. We would purchase it by the case.

Anyway… I just received this in an e-mail…

from Jen Hubley

When I was in school, there was a rumor going around that the cafeteria meat arrived in large crates marked: GRADE D. SUITABLE FOR PRISONS AND STATE UNIVERSITIES. The taste of the food did nothing to dispel the myth.

In the Spotlight

5 Ways to Get Fat in College

Surprisingly, the general yuckiness of the food did nothing to prevent me from overeating. If anything, it made me stuff food down faster and pig out on desserts more than I normally would. And, of course, all of that led to a common college student disorder: The Mysterious Shrinking Pants Syndrome.
- Exercise Guide Paige Waehner

Fight the Freshman 15

The real culprit was probably the overabundance of carbs we were all eating. If dinner is lousy, it makes sense to load up on free cereal. Unfortunately, as a diet plan, 47 bowls of cereal per day doesn't work so well.

Weight Loss Guide Jennifer R. Scott

Stress and the Freshman 15

If you're an emotional eater, freshman year of college is extra hard. For most of us, it's the first time we were away from home and responsible for ourselves.
- Stress Management Guide Elizabeth Scott, M.S.

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