Goodbye Mr Peanut

Sometimes I get nostalgic for things from my childhood, but not often. Especially as I get old, things blur and unless I have a photo, it comes at me in bits and pieces. But the Planter's Peanut Shoppe at the corner of 10th and State in Erie is a landmark that I recall vividly.

Partly because of it's location, it was where a bus dropped me off or where we met up. It was second only to the fountain a few blocks down at Perry Square. It was easily recognizable because of the ornate facade of the Renaissance Center building - but mostly because of the iconic Mr. Peanut icon that towered over the entrance on the 2nd story. It seemed giant to me in my younger years looking up. But then there was also the aroma of those nuts roasting that grabbed your attention as soon as you were within distance. Most kids would have been drawn to a candy counter down the street at Grants. But for myself, the pecans, walnuts and peanuts were preferred.

It seemed to always be a fixture as my trips back became less frequent. I bought a bag to bring home to Jeff on my last trip 3 years ago. It was as if it would always remain there in time. Just like Pulakos chocolates or Mighty Fine donuts.

 

Sadly, it has closed it's door at the end of 2020. Not so much a victim of a pandemic, but due to getting old and moving on. Annie Linebach, the proprietor since the mid 1970s was getting old. She let the lease expire at the end of this December. And then ironically died just this last weekend. 

I thought for sure I must have some photos of the old place on my many trips back in the last 30 years, but alas, can not find one. But here are shared a handful from the Erie History and Memorabilia feed. Along with the historical evolution of the Planter's Peanut Man that shadowed over the front entry. Buying a jar at the grocery store just does not compare.

 

 

Open to the Public

I am looking back at an old draft from a year ago. But it seems now is as relevant a time as any to revamp it. 

One of the many causes for celebration in each New Year is the roster for literature and music entering the Public Domain. It is a time when great pieces are released to the general public for free, regardless of royalties and estates which have bound them prior. These last two years have been banner landmarks in the US. The extended period is different from nation to nation. In the US it had been legal to enter the Public Domain after 75 years. But in 1998 legislation of the Copyright Extension Act changed that to 95 years. What that has meant, is that for the last period of 20 years, no great works have been able to enter circulation without royalty. That all changed last year. And if you continue backwards - that starts to place incredible works from the 1920s into the public hands.

2020 opened up the doors for so much material. With the advent of the film industry, we start seeing the original classics by Buster Keaton and Laurel & Hardy. In music, the greats by the Gershwins and Irving Berlin start appearing: Fascinating Rhythm, Lady Be Good, What'll I Do. We have George's classic Rhapsody in Blue and operas like Turandot by Puccini. From literature great works by Agatha Christie, AA Milne and HG Wells. Noel Coward's Hay Fever and O'Neill's Desire Under the Elms.

2021 continues these great works. The Great Gatsby enters by Fitzgerald and also Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf. Incredible songs like Sweet Georgia Brown, Manhattan by Rodgers & Hart and more Gershwin & Berlin along with Duke Ellington. Since this was also the beginning of the Harlem Renaissance - we start seeing the music of Ma Rainey, Fats Waller and Jelly Roll Morton. An abundance for sure.

This is a reminder to myself to celebrate these landmark works each year with the turn of the calendar. The world is so complicated now with streaming services and royalties. Even artists sometimes do not have the rights to their own creations; see Taylor Swift. This is a great time to revisit classics that were stepping stones that got us to today. Do an easy Google search to see the impact 95 years has made.

 

Best Book You Didn't Know You Needed

I had meant to post this before the New Year, but with everyone coming out with the Best Of... lists, now seems as good a time as any. Let me preface by saying that I am not a reader by any means. I have tried several times as a resolution and failed at just as many. Music, plants and cufflinks are better diversions for me. In terms of a book, one that brings me joy or practicality is better than one of fiction. Perhaps it was the daunting number I read in High School and College that have exhausted me later in life.

But cookbooks are intriguing to me and of use. I especially enjoy magazines at grocery stores with seasonal recipes. And I also get a kick out of the "dinner spinner" on All Recipes to find a creative way to empty out the fridge. There are certainly tons of great bread and baking cookbooks. But this book rises to the top time and time again.

Small Batch Preserving by Ellie Topp and Margaret Howard

I had originally stumbled upon it in search of ways to take advantage my crop from the cherry tree each summer. There were only so many ways to bake up a pie or crumble. This book took me into some incredible adventures of cherry BBQ sauces and boozy maraschino cherries. 

The draw was the concept of small batches! My mom would always put up quarts and quarts for storage in the basement. I have neither the room or patience for such large quantities. This book is notable for small batches of maybe 4-5 pints that can be processed in a single large sauce pan. It gives me just enough to last a season with a few jars to pass on to friends. The list of chapters is also surprising...

The jams and jellies are plentiful. But every few years I get a craving to try something else. For pickling, I have put up some great diversions like Lemon Green & Yellow Beans or Pickled Mixed Winter Vegetables with cauliflower, carrots and even okra in the mix. There is one for a Pickled Pumpkin with cloves and gingers that teases me each year.

Chutneys are another variation that both Jeff and I enjoy. Something more acidic with the vinegar and savory spices.They smell great around the house as they boil down. And I love putting them with things from roasts to cheese & crackers.

There is even a chapter on the back with salad dressings, desserts and I even tried an Apple Cheddar soup this Fall. This quarantine season brought on the following preserves for the long winter. #ChunkyAppleButter, #TomatillaMexicanSalsa 

An #ApplePlumChutney that was all things Fall with a hint of curry. #KiwiAppleChutney that was an amazing surprise and will be back. #CranberrieswithPort that made for an amazing holiday addition. And just this week, a #CherryHazelnutCompote with red wine that is killer on all the sweetbreads I will be making this winter. The book is incredible beyond words and for anyone even thinking of dabbling over a sauce pan, I cannot recommend it highly enough.