The Westfield Leader Newspaper
The Times of Scotch Plains-Fanwood

CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK

ARTIST OF THE WEEK

Lou Diamond Phillips (1962) By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

Lou Diamond Phillips knows what its like to reign supreme on Broadway as The King in the smash production The King and I. Oneeighth Cherokee Indian, Phillips represents nearly every nationality (Filipino, Scottish, Irish, Hawaiian, Chinese and Spanish), taking pride in each culture. His Cherokee Indian roots were planted by his late father Gerald Upchurch.

Born in the Philippines, Phillips was named after Leland “Lou” Diamond, a hero from World War II. His family settled in Corpus Christi, Tex. where a collegeaged Phillips decided to take up drama and film at the University of Texas. Before taking on small cameos in “Dallas” and “Miami Vice,” Phillips was hired as an assistant director and instructor at the college in the midto late80s.

Phillips proved he was a cut above the rest when he was plucked from a crowd of auditioning actors to portray the late musician Ritchie Valens in La Bamba. When Phillips collaborated with Edward James Olmos in Stand and Deliver, he simply stole the screen.

Drawing from his Indian roots, Phillips played Chavez Y Chavez, a Mexican Indian in

Young Guns, and a rebellious Indian in Renegades with one of his best friends, Kiefer Sutherland.

Romantically, Phillips stole the hearts of Julie Cypher (who later left him for Melissa Etheridge), Jennifer Tilly, and Kelly Preston (who wed John Travolta). He married Cypher in 1987 and Preston in 1994. Phillips has three little girls, two of them are twins.

Always polished and never typecast, Phillips is also a musician. Writing lyrics and taking charge of the microphone, his history with “The Pipefitters” band dates back to the days before he became a big star.

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Arts & Entertainment

Bill Burt’s Dining Table

EXPLORING CRANBERRIES, POTATOES, PECANS

Hey, Pilgrim: Be Grateful For Native American Fare

By BILL BURT

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

Thanksgiving is the quintessential American holiday, though many Native American groups today prefer not to celebrate it, as it represents the beginning of what they view as a cultural holocaust.

Although I make no judgments here, I do choose to pay homage to the American Indians. We owe them a great deal and the foods they gave us remain indispensable and nutritious parts of the American diet.

For instance, what would life be like today without the potato? For that matter, can you imagine Thanksgiving without the cranberry? Yet, the early white settlers at least at first may

have had neither. When the Spaniards first brought the potato back to Europe in the 16th century, it was considered unfit for human consumption. In fact, it didn’t catch on until the 18th century when famine reduced Europe’s poor to little other choice.

So it was that in the 17th century, that the potato, as far as we know, still had not caught on with English consumers making it likely that the Pilgrims did not have the potato when they arrived at Plymouth Bay.

Potatoes are a good source of Vitamin C, so this would have accounted for the high incidence of scurvy among them.

Their Wampanoag hosts also did not know the potato, but they did have maize and the cranberry which they shared the new settlers who quickly took to them.

The Wampanoag thrived on cranberries and used them for food, dye and medicine. Indeed, we might well view the cranberry as the original health food; one half a cup of cranberries contains more Vitamin C and fiber than an average apple.

Had it not been for the Wampanoag, their knowledge of cultivation in the harsh New England climate and several healthful foods including cranberries, the Pilgrim colony would certainly have perished.

American Indians from the South to the midSouthwest had another staple, pecans. The Indians used them to thicken stews and as a quick energy, fat source when on hunting trips.

Small wonder, since pecans are loaded with protein, healthy fat and several vital nutrients, including zinc which actually makes them a good natural aphrodisiac!

In time, European settlers in the South would discover the goodness of the pecan, realize its value

and begin to develop it commercially. This very North American nut would also become a distinctive part of the Southern diet although not as a staple.

Ironically, the cranberry would become popular everywhere in Europe except France while the pecan would not gain much acceptance

beyond America. Cranberries with their natural tartness, and the buttery richness of pecans are an ethereal taste combination. Add to these ginger, orange juice, zest and brown sugar, and the result is relish that will put to shame anything from a can.

The recipe below is my own little concoction; the amounts may be tinkered with to suit individual tastes.

Pilgrim George and Indian Al: After Media Lets Dust Settle,

Will We All Just Get Along?

The hanging chad, the pregnant chad and the dimple chad. Over the past few weeks, the broadcast media has made household names out of unfamiliar words. And, they have singlehandedly escalated a civil war between elephants and donkeys by “calling” Florida for Gore earlier than necessary.

I have relatives in Florida who have told me via email that they are absolutely “embarrassed” by the debacle and would rather not be associated with the “State of confusion.” As residents of Broward County, one of those under the microscope, they found nothing disturbing or unusual about the ballots or the way the election was conducted.

For me, the most disconcerting outcome of the entire election has been the glaring bias of broadcast journalists like NBC’s Katie Couric, Tim Russert, Tom Brokaw, ABC’s Peter Jennings and Geraldo Rivera. There is no room for opinion and editorializing in hard news journalism. None at all. Someone should shake a stern finger at these reporters who are leaning so far to Gore’s “left” that they’re ready to fall over the edge without knowing it.

Makes it kind of hard to trust the objectivity of these journalists, doesn’t it?

Ironically during the brouhaha, Bush and Gore were forced to attend a dinner in celebration of the White House’s anniversary together, not knowing which one of them would occupy the mansion next. Although there were no reports of “Kumbaya, My Lord,” being sung by either camp, the sitting down of both disgruntled parties at a long table sharing a meal is eerily reminiscent of the Pilgrims and Indians at Plymouth.

But, who is the turkey? The candidate who can’t concede or the voter who doesn’t know how to select the candidate on a ballot? This is the high drama that broadcast journalists crave. They nearly salivate at the hint of scandal and, without flinching, take the ordeal beyond conceivable proportions.

Well, here’s the real scoop: The species known as “hard news” has suffered a downward spiral into the abyss of “news magazines” – where words are flashy and delivery is animated, personal opinion is key, and facts are glossed over.

Once the dust and blood pressures have settled and slowed a bit due to the election of President What’s His Name, can we really consider the elected candidate our President without reservation? Will we ever be able to look at each other without pigeonholing people into parties? Doubtful. Will we ever be able to turn on the news and believe what we hear?

Thanks to the circus created by the media on Election Night, the face of journalism has been tarnished to appear nearly incredulous. Journalism trailblazer Edward R. Murrow is probably turning over in his grave.

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Pen and Ink

By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN

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LockeOber Indian Pudding Mix cornmeal with enough of the cold milk to liquify. Put remainder aside. Stir mixture until smooth. Add 2 cups of scalded milk slowly and cook mixture in top of a double boiler for about 20 minutes or until thick. Add molasses, salt, sugar, cinnamon or ginger, and butter. Pour into a buttered pudding dish and add remainder of cold milk and rum on the top. Set the dish in a pan of hot water and bake for three hours in a 250degree oven. Let stand 1/ 2 hour prior to serving. Add vanilla ice cream or whipped cream as a topping. Serves 6. 1/ 4 c. cornmeal 1/ 4 c. sugar

2 c. cold milk 1 tsp. cinnamon or ginger 2 c. scalded milk 4 tbsp. butter 1/ 2 c. molasses 2 tbsp. white rum 1 tsp. salt

Sioux Craft Wards Off Nightmares?

By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

Looking to cure those disturbing nightmares that plague you for days? According to Sioux Indian legend, suspending a dreamcatcher over your bed will not only cast out the bad dreams, but welcome the good ones.

The tale behind the Ojibwe dreamcatcher paints a more colorful explanation. The Spider Woman (Asibikaashi) protected the Ojibwe Nation and brought the sun (giizis) back to the people. She did this, even when the Ojibwe Nation separated across North America.

However, because the great distances made it harder for The Spider Woman to reach her people, tribe members took up the craft of weaving their own webs for children. They used willow hoops and sinew made from plants. The circle hoops represent the traveling of the sun or giizis.

Ojibwe legend also reports that four gem stones (representing the four corners of the Earth) are used instead of feathers in order to preserve our “feathered friends.” Thus, adult dreamcatchers traditionally do not use feathers in the craft.

Dreamcatchers for children, however, are made out of more temporary ingredients such as willow and sinew, symbolizing the nonpermanence of youth.

Scientifically, it may be difficult to prove that dreamcatchers actually do ward off nightmares. However, it never hurts to try and in the end, you’ve created a beautiful, traditional craft while learning about the Native American culture.

Directions:

1. Twist one end of gold or silver craft wire onto a 45 inch round metal ring. Make sure the wire is wrapped tightly.

2. Create a web effect by passing the craft wire around the ring until a tight web is formed.

3. Halfway through creating the web, string colored or glass beads onto the wire at random intervals.

4. Add a feather to the center of the web by attaching a bundle of leather strips.

5. Sweet dreams.

Beginning with the November 30th edition of A& E, the majority of A& E press releases will appear as brief calendar announcements to save space for our byline stories.

Crystal Gayle to Help NCADD Find New Home

WESTFIELD – For over 30 years, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of Union County, Inc. (NCADD) has received inkind office space in a county facility in Westfield. Now, NCADD must relocate to a handicap accessible facility in order to receive state funding and serve the community.

In order to raise funds to move to a new office space, NCADD will hold “A Night at the Theater with Crystal Gayle” and Dessert Reception on Friday, December 8.

The reception will feature inter national pastries, fresh fruits and

delicious delights for theater goers at the Masonic Temple of Rahway, located directly across from the theater.

Tickets for the theater and dessert reception are $75 per person and all proceeds from the special event will go toward the agency’s relocation fund.

During the reception, NCADD will unveil its new agency name to the public. The new name will reflect the agency’s expanding mission and community friendliness.

To purchase tickets or learn more information, please call (908) 2338810.

Crystal Gayle

Cranberry Pecan Relish

2 cups whole cranberries 1 cup chopped pecans (preferably fresh)

1 cup dark brown sugar (more or less to taste)

1 tsp. fresh ginger, minced finely

Juice of two oranges, plus zest from one.

Place pecans in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until chopped coarsely. Remove from the bowl and set aside in an earthenware or glass mixing bowl. Wash and pick cranberries. Good ones should be relatively hard and bright in color. Place cranberries in the bowl of a food processor with ginger and zest and pulse until chopped coarsely. Add this mixture to the pecans. In a separate bowl, mix juice and brown sugar together and dissolve completely. Mix into the cranberry/ pecan mixture. Cover with plastic wrap. Ideally, this should be refrigerated for 23 days. This rest period is essential in order for the ingredients to blend and tame the tartness of the cranberries. If time does not allow, then one day is sufficient.

NEW JERSEY’S OLDEST COMMUNITY THEATER •

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• • • • Saturday, December 9

10: 30am • 1: 00pm • 3: 30pm Sunday, December 10

1: 00pm • 3: 30pm $7 Adults / $5 Children Under 13 & Seniors

Cinderella

The Cranford Dramatic Club Proudly Presents...

CHILDREN’S THEATRE

A musical based on the fairy tale by Charles Perrault Adaptation and Lyrics by Jim Eiler Music by Jim Eiler and Jeanne Bargy

Free lighted onsite parking Box Office (908) 2767611

to reserve your tickets! Mastercard and Visa accepted

Piano Keyboard Organ Accordion Strings Woodwinds Brass Voice Guitar Drums

Kindermusik classes for ages 2 to 7

Riverwalk Plaza 34 Ridgedale Avenue • East Hanover (973) 4280405

281 Main Street • Millburn (973) 4674688

THE PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL