Did you know?

    Everyone can recite the first few sentences of the Gettysburg address but do you remember why Lincoln was asked in the first place?

       On November 2, 1863, several months after the battle of Gettysburg (July 1-3), Judge David Wills invited President Lincoln to make a "few appropriate remarks" at the consecration of a cemetery for the Union war dead. In early July, Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtin had charged Wills, a successful local citizen and judge, with cleaning up the horrible aftermath of the battle. With the approval of the governor and the eighteen states whose sons were among the dead, Wills quickly acquired seventeen acres for the national cemetery and had the Germantown landscape architect, William Saunders, draw up a plan. Burial began not long after.
      Lincoln wrote: “…….Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that this nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate - we cannot consecrate - we cannot hallow - this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.
    It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us, that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion; that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that this government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from this earth.”

And now you know!

(Top)

Recipe of the Month

Pan-Seared Portobello Mushroom and Tomato Eggs presented by Bancroft Manor Bed & Breakfast

Serves 1 (multiply as needed)

2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
1 tsp. Mixed minced fresh thyme and rosemary
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 Portobello mushroom (between 3 and 4 inches in diameter), stem removed and cap wiped clean on both sides
Kosher or sea salt
1 1-inch thick slice ripe beefsteak tomato, at room temperature
2 tsp. butter, olive oil or nonstick vegetable spray
1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten
2 tsp. snipped fresh chives, plus more for garnish

1.) Mix the olive oil with herbs and some black pepper, and brush it liberally on both sides of the mushroom.

2.) Heat a heavy-bottomed 8-inch non-stick skillet over high heat and when hot, sprinkle lightly with salt. Add the mushroom to the hot pan and cook, turning several times, until golden and cooked through, about 7 minutes. Remove mushroom from pan and keep on a warmed plate, gill side up, covered loosely with aluminum foil. Don't wipe out the pan; just put it back on the stove.

3.) Using the same pan, warm a tsp. Of butter or oil over medium-high heat. When hot, add tomato slice and sear well on one side only. Sprinkle top (raw) side with a little salt and pepper. Remove tomato, place on mushroom and re-cover. Don't wipe out the pan; just put it back on the stove.

4.) Melt 2 tsp. Butter or oil in pan. When hot, add beaten egg and let cook undisturbed, just until it starts to set on the bottom. Reduce heat to low and stir, incorporating any bits of mushroom and tomato left in pan. Add chives, some salt and pepper, and cook until it's done to your liking. Spoon scrambled egg over tomato and garnish with more snipped chives. Serve right away.