Get out and vote

It is primary election time and probably one of the only times I will get political. This year it is especially important that every person votes in the primary. We have several candidates for some of the races and many factions vying for them to get the offices. 

In years past, a state like Wyoming was pretty much left alone politically; we didn’t have a huge voice, just three seats in the whole U.S. Congress. But this year there are several PAC’s vying for candidates. All of those “Vote for this one,” or “Don’t Vote for him,” are being paid for by someone. Some of them are being paid for by the candidate, but a lot of them are being paid for by Political Action Committees that could care less about Wyoming, they have an agenda that doesn’t take us into consideration at all. So be cautious about what you believe. Research, pray, then get out on Tuesday and vote!

Now a little bit of history that a lot of people don’t know about. 

The very early congress didn’t get paid at all, they got a stipend for food, and there was a dormitory on the grounds for them to stay in. After the session was over, they were expected to go back to their home and their job. That did keep them in closer touch with their constituents. 

The United States of America is NOT a democracy. We hear that said all the time and it just isn’t true. We are a Representative Republic. That is a LOT different than a democracy. In a democracy the majority rules. It doesn’t work that way in a representative republic. Each area elects its representative based on population for the House, and we are each given two votes in the Senate. It helps level the playing field some at least. 

Now one from Basin, Basin had a Prisoner of War camp. It housed German prisoners. They were put to work on the farms. And stayed at what was before the war and is now the fairgrounds. Legend says that many of them didn’t want to back to Germany. 

During the years of both World Wars, business shut down, the schools were let out often during the week to help with the sugar beet harvest. Before mechanical harvesting was developed it was a labor intensive, back breaking job. With so many of the young men gone to the service, the people of the town and the high schoolers stepped in to help fill the gap. 

Along the line of history here is a recipe from…well from many, many years ago. It is from a cookbook that was given to the people who purchased a Home Comfort Wood and Coal Cook stove. 

Paper Hangers’ Past

Put one-quart hot water just under the scalding point into a pail; add 1 tablespoon pulverized alum, and dissolve; while beating constantly, sift in enough flour to form a thick batter that can no longer be beaten. Now pour in boiling water until the past begins to cook, then stop pouring, but continue stirring until paste is well cooked or scalded; level the surface and pour on a little cold water to prevent cracking; this will keep for several weeks, or until papering is finished’ to use, cut out cakes, place them in the past bucket, and thin with cold water to proper consistency.