Read Aloud Day Poll

Sarah Uthoff in my new studio

I was going to do a Facebook poll about which book I should read for my podcast on World Read Aloud Day (March 4th), but I discovered Facebook now only allows free polls for groups (and doesn’t make the information about paying to include them easy to find). So I decided to try this poll feature in WordPress which I hadn’t before.

Your choices are:

• Pa’s Big Green Animal Book – It’s real title is
  Hartwig, Dr. G. The Polar and Tropical Worlds: A Popular and Scientific Description. Springfield, MA : C.A. Nichols, 1876. Print.
  If chosen, I’ll read the section containing the information about the Great Auk.
• Millbank by Mary J. Holmes – I have an emotional connection to the author who created the character my grandmother was named after, so even though I read the beginning last year, I’d be glad to pick up where I left off and read more.
• Other – Or would you rather hear something else? It would have to be something published before 1924. I could do some more poetry. I also have a pretty good collection of readers and I could pick some stories from them, for instance “The Great Stone Face” was a favorite of my Great-Grandmother’s which is a great piece in itself and has a great story surrounding it that I could share. Or I have some 19th century novels not mentioned in the “Little House” series that you might still enjoy. Or is there something else in mind you’d like to hear? Vote below and we’ll see how this works.
• No matter how the vote comes out, be sure to pick something for yourself to read aloud to someone on March 4th to celebrate the importance of reading and help spread the word.

Sarah S. Uthoff is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation.Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, and find her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+,LinkedIn, and Academia.edu. She is currently President of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association. Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.

 

Program of the Month Posts

I have several speaking engagements where I’ve presented more than once. I want to make it worth while for other people to come back, so I create new programs. I consider these try outs. Programs that work well with the audience I keep in the collection. Programs that don’t get cut and are never heard from again. For instance, I cut and dropped Laura’s ghost at Rocky Ridge because despite the fact I really loved it, the set up was too confusing to the audience.

Over time, I’ve gotten quite a list built up. Sometimes people aren’t sure what would be the best program for them to have. I’m going to begin a series once a month posts of describing one of my programs so you can tell which one is right for you. Will your favorite be up next?

Sarah S. Uthoff is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation.Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, and find her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+,LinkedIn, and Academia.edu. She is currently acting President of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association. Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.

Mary Ingalls Society Founded

trundlebedtales:

UPDATE: This was the initial announcement of the founding of the Mary Ingalls Society. Since then they’ve made great strides.

Originally posted on Sarah's Notebook:

I can picture Mary walking right here.

I just received a letter and I wanted to share it.  First, I should explain The Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School (IBSSS) is the formal name of the blind school in Vinton, Iowa that Mary Ingalls attended. The school was part of a program where blind students from Dakota Territory, which did not yet have a blind school of its own, would have their tuition paid to the Iowa School for the Blind (as it was then known). Charles and Caroline Ingalls would have been responsible for Mary’s clothing, room, board, books, and incidentals, plus the transportation costs of getting her there. The letter as originally written spells out the names both of the school and the new organization several times. The full name is Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School Mary Ingalls Society which they are abbreviating IBSSS Mary Ingalls Society…

View original 659 more words

In the Kitchen With Laura Cook’s Country Food History

Here’s my first new In the Kitchen With Laura post of 2015. This series included some of the most popular posts of on this blog last year, find links on In the Kitchen With Laura 2014. I’m starting out with a mix of food history videos. They were put together by the PBS series Laura Cook’s Country Food History. These are short, but provide a mix of the food history stories and how it reflects the food we eat today.

History of 1960s Food Communes

History of Baltimore BBQ

History of Graham Crackers

History of Mustard

History of Pie

History of Sandwiches

History of Spaghetti and Meatballs

Sarah S. Uthoff is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation.Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, and find her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+,LinkedIn, and Academia.edu. She is currently acting President of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association. Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.

Walnut Grove Roving Reports 2014

Plum Creek at Eye Level

My podcast features several kind of episodes. One of those is when I’m on a Laura trip or after I set up a Roving Report to let everybody know what’s happening. Here are the two I did for my trip to Walnut Grove for the 40th Anniversary Little House on the Prairie TV Show Reunion in July 2014. You can stream them from the links below or you can download them for free on iTunes under podcasts at the link below:

http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/trundlebedtales-blog-talk/id412309121

Remember to keep an eye out for future episodes. You can stream episodes live and enter the chatroom here:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/trundlebedtales
During live shows you can also call in to listen via phone or to ask a question or make a comment at  (714) 242-5253 or toll free 1-877-633-9389.

Roving Report Walnut Grove 2014 Part 1
Originally Aired July 25, 2014
Reporting live from Laura Ingalls Wilder Country check in with our reporter Sarah Uthoff as she has journeyed to Walnut Grove MN for the 40th Anniversary “Little House on the Prairie” cast reunion.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/trundlebedtales/2014/07/25/roving-report-walnut-grove-2014-part-1

Roving Report Walnut Grove 2014 Part 2
Originally Aired August 30, 2014
Home from Laura Ingalls Wilder Country check in with our reporter Sarah Uthoff as she reports on the rest of her journey to Walnut Grove MN for the 40th Anniversary “Little House on the Prairie” cast reunion.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/trundlebedtales/2014/08/30/roving-report-walnut-grove-2014-part-2

Sarah S. Uthoff is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation.Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, and find her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, and Academia.edu. She is currently acting President of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association. Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.

Short Gene Stratton Porter Films

As I was going through my Gene Stratton-Porter videos to make a round up post I found some others from different sources. I thought that these three you would enjoy.

Wildflower Woods at Gene Stratton Porter cabin

Watching edited, un-narrated footage of the garden surrounding Wildflower Woods cabin.

Gene Stratton- Porter Interpreter

A report on an interpreter who does Gene Stratton-Porter from Indiana. It includes her talking about Stratton-Porter’s life and does a reading of poetry.

After Limberlost: Gene Stratton-Porter’s Life in California

Although the reinacting at the beginning is pretty terrible, it does do a nice job showing some highlights of Limberlost. Then we turn to Dr. Meg G. DeMakas of Indiana University Norwest talks about Stratton-Porter in Indiana. Then she travels to San Francisco. The story in Hollywood is picked up by Douglas J. Eboch of Arts Center College. Most Stratton-Porter things focus on her time in Indiana, but this one takes a look at her time in California. They don’t really give biographical details, but it offers some beautiful shots of three homes she created in California plus some other associated sites. You’ll enjoy it.

Sarah S. Uthoff is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation.Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, and find her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, and Academia.edu. She is currently acting President of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association. Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.

Laura Ingalls Wilder Month at Old World Wisconsin

Old World Wisconsin on Laura Day when I visited

Although they don’t have any historic connection to Laura Ingalls Wilder, several living history museums (where they recreate what life looked like in the past) have held Laura Ingalls Wilder events. Currently the largest of these is Old World Wisconsin which is in Eagle, Wisconsin (that’s an easy drive from Milwaukee). It holds an entire Laura Ingalls Wilder Month and they have made it even longer this year. This will be the third year they have made it a month. In 2015 it will be held between June 15 and July 31, 2015. I apologize about the audio it’s soft all along (turn volume way up) and I was briefly disconnected. Also, the callers were a little strange.

While it isn’t an official Laura Ingalls Wilder site, Old World Wisconsin has long honored Wisconsin’s favorite daughter with an annual event. Last year they expanded to an entire month and the month long event returns this year. Come take part in the World of Little House – June 15,  – July 31, 2015. Discover events and activities every day and dress as a Laura character (even adults) to get $2 off your admission. Join host Sarah Uthoff and Jennifer VanHaaften of Old World Wisconsin to learn more about the event.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/trundlebedtales/2014/07/16/ep-58-laura-ingalls-wilder-month-at-old-world-wisconsin

Old World Wisconsin is one of the leading living history museums in the country. Unusually for this type of museum the various farmsteads are widely spaced so make sure you come prepared to walk. They are within driving distance of Brookfield, Wisconsin where Caroline Quiner Ingalls was born. They are located about 25 miles from Concord, Wisconsin where Ma and Pa met and married.

We discuss the history of the event. I attended back when it was on a Thursday. That year 2000 people attended. She talks about the various configurations of the event over the year and their trouble with weather. Then the discussion turns to what you can expect to see if you come to the event and details about how to find out more to help plan your visit. Wear comfortable shoes, be aware of where water is available on the site, and feel free to wear your “Laura” clothes.

Learn about Old World Wisconsin’s Miniature Oxen. See their Facebook page. Also on the Old World Wisconsin Facebook “Post a picture of yourself in your Little House gear on our Facebook page and you could win a prize!”

Learn about the beginnings of bicycling and how it changed this country forever. Catch Wheel Fever! Try out old bicycles that you probably will never get a chance to ride anywhere else. The Wheel Fever interactive area is available daily. Find information about other events during the year: http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/calendar/programs/20/old-world-wisconsin

Plan your visit. Water and food is available on grounds and it’s OK to bring in your own. Parking is free. Flush toilets are available in select locations and pit toilets other areas. Make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and bug spray. If you forget something, they probably have it available at giftshop or restaurants.

Find them on Facebook. @WiSitesMuseum is a group twitter handle that includes them. Also find photos of the grounds if you look for Old World Wisconsin on Google Earth.

Sarah S. Uthoff is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation.Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, and find her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+,LinkedIn, and Academia.edu. She is currently acting President of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association. Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.

Walnut Grove Pageant Video

 Pioneer Public Television, Public Television in western Minnesota, recently put out this lovely little piece on Walnut Grove, Minnesota, home of On the Banks of Plum Creek. I’m not familiar with the series it was done for, Postcards from Minnesota and it’s kind of an odd length for a TV story coming it at roughly 20 minutes, but it does give you a nice feel for the town. Personally I think it would work a lot better as a souvenir of the trip rather than a promotion to go. If you haven’t been, it doesn’t give you a lot of travel information, but the wonderful cinematography (I especially loved the camera running through the prairie on the museum grounds) will help remind everyone of what they saw and did when they visited. The other big highlight is that they shot some footage at a pageant rehearsal and show what it looks like behind the stage, not many people get to see either.

The first couple of minutes are an introduction and then in roughly equal parts they talk about the Walnut Grove Museum, the pageant, the dug out site and interview a fan about why she came. Nicole Elzenga represents the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum. They used it for a lot of the shots and background. They also talked with the former pageant director Dan Wahl. Stanley Gordon talks about his family and their connection with the dugout site. Fan Joyce Brennan was interviewed about trip. It’s a little odd because clearly Nicole’s interview was recorded pre-40th anniversary event, but they dropped in footage from the event. The whole piece does a nice job of recording what Walnut Grove was like in 2014.

http://video.pioneer.org/video/2365404834/

And catch up on the rest of the videos from the 40th anniversary event here:
https://trundlebedtales.wordpress.com/2015/01/16/videos-from-the-walnut-grove-museum

Sarah S. Uthoff is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation.Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, and find her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+,LinkedIn, and Academia.edu. She is currently acting President of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association. Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.

Interview with Dean Butler

I’m doing a little housekeeping catching up on blog posts about past episodes of Trundlebed Tales. I hope you enjoy them.

Dean Butler at Malone

Dean Butler (who played Almanzo Wilder on the NBC Little House on the Prairie TV series) came on the Trundlebed Tales podcast in honor of the 40th Anniversary of the Little House on the Prairie TV Show last year. Butler talked about his relationship with the show and “Little House” fandom.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/trundlebedtales/2014/05/05/ep-56-dean-butler-little-house-40th-anniversary

Below is an outline of the topics we touched on in the episode:

• Butler’s Connection with the show
• Butler and reading the “Little House”books
• Horses on the show, had familiarity with horses, but had to learn about buggies, wagons, etc. Can westerns be made today?
• Almanzo’s hat
• Pronouncing Almanzo – Almonzo he’s been converted
• Props and wardrobe he got to keep
• Mary from Ireland calls in, Today Show reunion, what other character he would have liked to play (Mrs. Olson or Nellie), Remastered DVDs
• Non-Little House career highlights – Gidget, Into the Woods on Broadway, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Moved into production, now produces David Feherty
• Visited homesites (first one was Mansfield, roughly 1998) first, then realized opportunity to produce documentaries about show and homesites, Been to every homesite except Independence, Kansas. Enjoys visiting them all.
• Role in representing cast
• You have to support things you love
• Availability of background features from past issues and his role as narrator of new documentary that is part of the release
• Continued releases
• 40th Anniversary TV Show Reunion Events
• Documentaries for Sale
  http://www.legacydocsshop.com/shop/almanzo-wilder-dvd.html

Sarah S. Uthoff is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation.Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, and find her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+,LinkedIn, and Academia.edu. She is currently acting President of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association. Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.

 

Gene Stratton-Porter Video Part 12

Amanda Trudell

Last January I posted about a series of videos that the Stratton Foundation was going to be posting (1 a month) about Gene Stratton-Porter and her homesites in Indiana. At that time I explained more in depth about who Gene Stratton-Porter was. Today I’m going to share December’s posted video. I’m very sorry to say this is the last entry in the series. I hope you’ve enjoyed it and have learned a little more about Gene Stratton-Porter.

Amanda Trudell was one of the scholarship film students that the Stratton Foundation had been supporting before they discovered their connection with Gene Stratton-Porter. As they had already been working with film production and nature, they embraced their realization of the connection and the cousins they hadn’t realized existed. The Stratton family hired Trudell to document the story of Gene Stratton-Porter surrounding the anniversary celebration in 2013. I hope you’ve enjoyed these short films as much as I have. I wish Amanda Trudell and her production company good luck on their future endeavors. 

Sarah S. Uthoff is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation.Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, and find her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+,LinkedIn, and Academia.edu. She is currently acting President of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association. Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.