Sandra Merville Hart's Blog, page 14
April 16, 2024
The Greenbrier Heritage by William Olcott
Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart
The Greenbrier Heritage: White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
This book begins with the early history of The Greenbrier and the surrounding area, showing its humble beginnings.
Many famous visitors stayed at The Greenbrier over its rich history, including United States Presidents Millard Fillmore, Andrew Jackson, James Buchanan, Martin Van Buren, John Tyler, Franklin Pierce, and James K. Polk.
I enjoyed the many pictures and photos of paintings in the book that depicted scenes at The Greenbrier and its many visitors.
I purchased this book to discover the history for The Greenbrier, the beautiful resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. I was researching the background for my book, A Spring at The Greenbrier, Book 7 in Romance at the Gilded Age Resorts Series. Not only does my heroine work there in the new Bath Wing but also her younger sister needs to bathe in the spring waters to possibly help her.
Recommended for readers of American history and those interested in learning about The Greenbrier.
April 9, 2024
Historic Springs of the Virginias by Stan Cohen
Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart
Historic Springs of the Virginias: A Pictorial History
I purchased this book to learn more about the springs in West Virginia. I was researching the background for my book, A Spring at The Greenbrier, Book 7 in Romance at the Gilded Age Resorts Series. Not only does my heroine work there in the new Bath Wing but also her younger sister needs to bathe in the spring waters to possibly help her.
This book is well-written. It gives a broad view of the many springs in Virginia and West Virginia. I had no idea there were so many or that several of them were associated with health resorts at some point. The Greenbrier, which began as a health resort in the 1700s, is located in White Sulphur Springs.
The book is filled with interesting history. Photos, maps, sketches, and nostalgic advertisements greatly enhance the book.
Lots of tidbits and historical facts for the springs in West Virginia and Virginia.
Recommended for readers of American history and those interested in learning the sulphur springs.
April 6, 2024
Eclipse Snack Basket
by Sandra Merville Hart
My plans are to head to my sister’s house to watch the eclipse. As there are children coming, I thought it would be fun to bring party snacks to this rare occasion.
It was fun to shop! I could not find Mars candy bars—they seem to be the first item hostesses went after! I did find moon pies but they were quickly disappearing too. The man ahead of me in line had three boxes of the treats to share with his son’s class at school.
My basket includes:
Eclipse Gum
Sun Chips
Sunflower Seeds
Star Crunch
Cosmic Brownies
Luna Nutrition Bars
Milky Way Candy Bars
Banana Moon Pies
Chocolate Moon Pies
Sun-maid Raisins
Orbit Gum
Beverages
Sunny Delight
Capri Sun
Another beverage idea is Sunkist Orange Drink.
An easy creative idea would be to make Rice Krispie Treats and cut them into star and moon shapes. Do the same thing with fruit.
Enjoy!
April 3, 2024
The 1910 New Owners Remodel The Greenbrier
by Sandra Merville Hart
In A Spring at The Greenbrier, Book 7 in Romance at the Gilded Age Resorts Series, Marilla, our heroine, works at The Greenbrier. This historic resort had been purchased from previous owners in 1910, who renamed it “The White”. Guests who had been returning for long stays year after year chose to affectionately refer to the hotel as “The Old White”.
Three churches held Sunday services at The Greenbrier around the time it changed hands. St. Thomas’ Episcopal Chapel had been built in 1885. Local residents had built a Methodist church in 1855, and it was largely attended by guests as well as townspeople. From its high position on the resort, St. Charles, Church of Rome, offered breathtaking views to churchgoers.
The grounds had changed little for fifty years before the new owners took over in 1910. Dramatic changes were made in the remodeling and not only in the addition of wings.
New walkways were laid on the center of the grounds after the old dining room was torn down. Romantic trails were created in the woods, giving couples plenty of choices—Lover’s Walk, Hesitance Row, Lover’s Leap, Courtship Maze, Rejection Row, and Acceptance Way to Paradise.
Although the needs of her family has forced Marilla, our heroine in A Spring at The Greenbrier, to push aside dreams of a husband and family, she still longs to walk the romantic trails with a handsome beau.
Sources
Conte, Robert S. The History of The Greenbrier: America’s Resort, Pictorial Histories Publishing Co., 1989.
McDowell, Aubin Aydelotte. Greenbrier White Sulphur Springs: White Sulphur Springs as known in History and Tradition, W.F. Roberts & Co, 1909.
April 2, 2024
The History of The Greenbrier by Robert S. Conte
Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart
The History of The Greenbrier: America’s Resort
Excellent book!
I purchased this book to discover the history for The Greenbrier, the beautiful resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. I was researching the background for my book, A Spring at The Greenbrier, Book 7 in Romance at the Gilded Age Resorts Series. Not only does my heroine work there in the new Bath Wing but also her younger sister needs to bathe in the spring waters to possibly help her.
This book is well-written and easy to read. It traces the history of the health resort from its humble beginning.
Lots of tidbits, historical facts, and stories about early guests make this a delightful read. Because the resort soon catered to wealthy guests who stayed for weeks at a time, there were many famous visitors, including United States Presidents.
Recommended for readers of American history and those interested in learning the sulphur springs.
March 26, 2024
From the Pen of a She-Rebel
Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart
From the Pen of a She-Rebel: The Civil War Diary of Emilie Riley McKinley
This is the Diary of Emilie Riley McKinley, who lived a few miles outside of Vicksburg. It spans 10 months—from May 1863 to March 1864, covering the Siege of Vicksburg, the surrender, of part of occupation of Vicksburg.
Emilie lived on a plantation. Groups of Union soldiers came to the home and took away livestock, pistols, and rifles. They continued to come, and took the family’s meat and produce away in the family’s wagons without payment, despite the owner’s protests.
Sometimes different groups of soldiers came several times a day. This happened before the Battle of Vicksburg, during the Siege of Vicksburg, and continued after the surrender.
Soldiers and others, armed with weapons, searched homes for valuables and dug up hidden treasures like silver. These were taken.
As I read the book, I was shocked at what one family and their neighbors endured. The account held my attention.
I purchased this book to discover the history for the siege.
Recommended for readers of American Civil War history and American history.
March 25, 2024
Announcing Spies of the Civil War Series Book 4 Release Today!
by Sandra Merville Hart
I’m thrilled to announce the release of Streams of Courage, Book 4 of my Spies of the Civil War Series today, March 26, 2024!
Books 4 – 6 of the series are set in historic Vicksburg, Mississippi—a city the Union is as determined to capture as the Confederacy is to retain. Much happens here during the Civil War, not the least of which is spying.
The city’s population swells when the war begins. Southern citizens try to wipe out Unionist support. Fear silences some of the Unionists. Others are emboldened to spy for the North, like our hero.
Here’s a bit about the book:
In a world turned upside down by war and betrayal…will his role as a spy bring them closer…or tear their future apart?
The war that Julia Dodd prayed to avoid is now reality, and with it, her world has been turned on its head. Her fellow citizens, who stood with her in their support of the union, have crossed firmly to the side of the south. And her mother, lost in her grief over the loss of her husband and children, can think of nothing but protecting Julia’s brother’s inheritance. She insists that her daughter seek a wealthier husband than Ashburn Mitchell.
Ash knows what his fellow citizens think of him when he refuses to fight for the Confederacy. Shouldering the accusation of being a coward and refusing to hide behind his limp, Ash remains in Vicksburg to support his family as a saddler while his two best friends join the fight. Struggling to increase his business so he can marry the woman he loves, Ash becomes a spy in support of the Union. He can’t fight for the South but won’t raise a musket against them.
As tragedy instigates Ash to risk greater danger to speed the end of the war, Julia can only pray it won’t cost them everything. She’s already lost her father and two siblings. Must she lose the man she loves too?
Order your copy today on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple, and Books2Read.
March 19, 2024
Philip Henson, The Southern Union Spy
Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart
Philip Henson, The Southern Union Spy: The Hitherto Unwritten Record of a Hero of The War of the Rebellion (1887), by George Sibley Johns
Philip Henson, a Mississippian, worked as a manager in a dry goods store in Rienzi, Mississippi, before the war started. When the Civil War began, the Confederacy wanted all able-bodied men in service. Because Henson supported the Union, he took a job as overseer to avoid mustering into the Confederate army.
Before General Grant left Corinth, Mississippi, he issued an order that everyone should take the oath of allegiance. Many Southern sympathizers took it for protection—Philip took it because he believed it.
Henson became a spy for both sides. He was a double spy.
He served as a Union spy from July 28, 1862 to May 20, 1864, when he was arrested by Confederate soldiers.
I purchased this book to discover the history surrounding the Siege of Vicksburg. I was researching the background for my Spies of the Civil War Series, Streams of Courage, Book 4, and River of Peril, Book 5.
Recommended for readers of American Civil War history and American history.
March 17, 2024
Pepperoni Rolls – West Virginia’s Unofficial State Food
Today’s post is written by fellow author and friend, Jennifer Allen. I love her mysteries and am looking forward to reading her newest release. Welcome back to Historical Nibbles, Jennifer!
by Jennifer Allen
In the break room at my first “real” job in Zanesville, Ohio, I unpacked my lunch and took out an oblong roll.
A colleague looked at it and asked what it was.
“A pepperoni roll.” I was surprised. I’d grown up on pepperoni rolls. I thought everybody knew about them.
So my colleague asked what exactly is a pepperoni roll.
As I explained, I realized for the first time that pepperoni rolls are a regional food, hardly known outside eastern Ohio and West Virginia.
The History of the Pepperoni Roll
In the early 1900’s, many immigrants, including Italians, flooded into West Virginia to work in the coal mines. According to A Culinary History of West Virginia, a baker named Joseph Argrio noticed that the miners often wrapped bread around meat for their meals in the mine. He baked pepperoni into the bread, making a handy, no mess sandwich with a long shelf life.
Mr. Argrio’s bakery was in Fairmont, West Virginia. My mother’s family lived near there and in neighboring Harrison County. I don’t know when my grandmother began baking pepperoni rolls, but my mom always has and now I do.
Pepperoni rolls are the most convenient lunch I know. They don’t require refrigeration. They last at least 5 days on the counter, and then I put them in the fridge only to preserve the bread. My oldest takes a couple with him on the band bus when he has an away football game. They’re perfect for a meal or snack on a hike.
When I created my fictional family for my cozy mystery series, Rae Riley Mysteries, I had to make the grandparents come from West Virginia. Not only would that give my characters a history common with my own, I could include pepperoni rolls whenever I needed to.
Recipe
1 loaf of frozen dough, such as Rhodes, for a 9×5 pan (If you use homemade bread, use the amount for one loaf pan.)
48 slices of pizza pepperoni or 12-18 slices of deli pepperoni or 12-18 slices of stick pepperoni
(There are some people who prefer stick over slices. I always use small, sliced pizza pepperoni)
Thaw loaf.
Or
Make your preferred kind of bread. Let rise. Knead down. Then follow the steps below.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease or spray 1 cookie sheet.
Cut doubt into 8 roughly equal pieces.
Flatten one piece of dough until it is wide enough to lay 3 pizza pepperoni slices, overlapping.
Roll dough over pepperoni.
Lay 3 more slices.
Roll over dough and seal seams.
Place on cookie sheet. When 8 rolls are made, cover with light cloth and let raise for 2-3 hours.
Bake 10-13 minutes.
Eat when cooled to desired temperature.
Freeze leftovers if desired.
Some people add cheese and other ingredients but the original pepperoni roll was simply pepperoni baked into a roll.
BIO: JPC Allen started her writing career in second grade with an homage to Scooby Doo, and she’s been tracking down mysteries ever since. Her Christmas mystery “A Rose from the Ashes” was the first Rae Riley mystery and her latest Rae Riley novel, A Storm of Doubts released in March 2024. Online, she offers tips and prompts for every kind of writer. Follow her to her next mystery at Facebook, BookBub, and Goodreads.
BLURB: Twenty-year-old Rae Riley’s desire to help people in trouble puts her at odds with her newly-found father, Mal. When she extends that help to her con man uncle and the ex-wife of a family friend, she and Mal clash even more. Then the ex-wife disappears. Rae works to discover what really happened as her uncle makes Rae doubt she’s calling the right Malinowski “Dad”.
March 12, 2024
Book of Old-Time Trades and Tools
Review by Sandra Merville Hart
This book is a republication of the book originally published in 1866 by George Routledge and Sons, London. The original title was The Boy’s Book of Trades and the Tools Used in Them.
This nonfiction book is a treasure for historical writers!
The author gives an overview of different trades in some cases and detail in others. The anonymous author shows how there is overlapping of skills between certain professions, which is interesting.
There are sketches of men at work, showing what one might have expected to find at a worksite in 1866. Sketches of tools used in a specific trade show what the skilled worker used but doesn’t always inform the reader how they were used. It’s still helpful to see the tool and its name.
Skilled labors like brickmaking, masonry, plastering, whitewashing, and plumbing are a few of the trades highlighted.
I purchased this book for research purposes. I used it as a reference in my Spies of the Civil War Series. Books 4 – 6 are set in Vicksburg during the Civil War. One of the characters in Streams of Courage, Book 4, is a saddler. Sketches of tools used were especially helpful in understanding what saddlers did all day.
Recommended for historical authors and those interested in history.
