A NEW BOOK CONTRACT!!! Another State of Jefferson book to be released in 2013~

Can't wait to announce: Bernita Tickner and I were just offered another contract with Arcadia Publishing to write and produce another STATE OF JEFFERSON book, this one to be part of the POSTCARDS series! What a thrill.....especially since we have so much material to include.

Further updates on the book will come in the future. If you have any suggestions on places, people, or items to include (OR if you have vintage postcards!), please let me know. My email: gail@gailjenner.com

Also, more on my books and about me, check out my personal website: www.gailjenner.com

Stay in touch!!!

COSTCO.....talking and sharing....

Two weeks ago, I got to participate in a book signing at Costo in Roseburg, Oregon! It's the second time Costco has requested that THE STATE OF JEFFERSON books I've coauthored (Arcadia Publishing) be premiered at one of their stores. Last year I appeared at Costco in Medford, Oregon.

To say I was thrilled is an understatement...even traveling the 3 hours north to Roseburg did not dissuade me from attending the signing. Welcomed by a stack of 85 books and a large poster inviting customers to look at the books made it easy to break into conversation with people. And though Roseburg is probably considered at the "edge" or on the margin of the State of Jefferson territory, nonetheless I was delighted with the number of people who came up and said, "The State of Jefferson? I know where that is...." or "Gosh, wouldn't it be great if there really could be a State of Jefferson?"

Several people recalled that they had seen a bit about the State of Jefferson on History Channel's 'HOW THE STATES GOT THEIR SHAPES' last summer. When I told them, yes, and I had been interviewed on that program, they were duly impressed (I didn't tell them that those of us waiting to be interviewed had waited for 5 hours because of the rain or that the editors/producers had trimmed all but a few bits of conversation from the interviews, which left far less in the expose than we 'locals' had hoped would be included)! The fact is, the State of Jefferson made national TV!

It seems the idea or ideal that comes to mind with the concept of the State of Jefferson, or this 51st state, has not died -- in spite of the fact that the reality is in stark contrast to the dream. People in this neck of the woods do see themselves as different: they connect to their environment and to the land in a far different way, and that perception has not dimmed with time.

Is it the more rugged environment we are enveloped by that affects us? Is it the weather and/or the fact that life is more connected to the peaks and valleys and rivers that dominate our landscape? Is it the small populations that are interlaced by open spaces that make the living here at least feel different?

I'm not sure. But I do know that the mystique that is attached to The State of Jefferson continues to flourish. It is not a right or left thing, either, which makes it all the more intriguing. It is a notion that seems more connected to the independence that comes from living in this region of southern Oregon and/or northern California where mountains rise up gloriously and rivers cascade through rugged valleys.

How the States Got Their Shapes......"culture clash"

Well, the episode of History Channel's "How the States Got Their Shapes" featuring the State of Jefferson premiered this week. The episode was titled "Culture Clash" and the State of Jefferson was the first topic included in the programming.

It was fun being a part of the episode, although most of our interview ended up, no doubt, on the cutting room floor! Those of us in Yreka waiting for our "turn" didn't get a chance to meet Brian Unger, the host. He was sick with laryngitis so he couldn't conduct the interviews and between the rain and a series of other issues, we were lucky to have the episode even make it to the air! Michelle Fain, who edits and publishes JEFFERSON BACKROADS and Claudia East, author of the Arcadia book on Yreka, were also featured in the interviews.

If I have a negative comment to make, it would be that they didn't spend enough time on the PRESENT State of Jefferson and what is going on these days to promote the concept. They kept it much more focused on the historical events of 1941. But most people probably don't realize that people here in the far reaches of California and southern Oregon really DO favor the establishment of a new state!

I've included the link to hulu.com where the full episode of "Culture Clash"/"How the States Got Their Shapes" can be found.

About History Channel's "How the States Got Their Shapes"

Earlier this spring I had the opportunity to participate in some interviews with the production company, Half Yard Productions, in their survey of The State of Jefferson, for the History Channel's series "How the States Got Their Shapes!"

It was a rainy day and we spent more time waiting for things to happen than seeing things happen. But it was an adventure and certainly time well spent. The episode featuring The State of Jefferson is scheduled to run this month (July).....have heard that some people have seen clips of the upcoming show. That means it must be coming up soon.

As to the State of Jefferson, however, it's interesting to note the growing interest in this region.

There have been more and more people logging on to check it out, asking questions, researching its history. And there is a growing group of people who, locally, are seeking to move the question of the State of Jefferson to more than a question -- they are seeking to get the concept on the ballot, or at least into the public's eye!! We'll have to wait and see what happens.

In another interview, conducted by Serena Travis at Good Morning Scott Valley, I was again asked about the notion of the State of Jefferson. It seems to be a topic of interest to more and more locals as well as out-of-towners. For more check out www.goodmorningscottvalley.com.

A Featured Recipe from HISTORIC INNS & EATERIES

I thought I'd share with you all one of the recipes that we've included in our newest State of Jefferson book, HISTORIC INNS & EATERIES IN THE STATE OF JEFFERSON, coauthored with Bernita L. Tickner. The recipe is for Stilton Cheese and Onion Soup!

This book was an adventure that took over a year, all the while, gathering photos, history, and then, RECIPES! The recipe came to us courtesy of The Winchester Inn, in Ashland, Oregon.

Originally a hospital, the inn is now a delightful addition to the many B & Bs featured in Ashland. For more about the Winchester, check out our new book. It features 30 locations from all over the "great" State of Jefferson (that includes northern CA and southern OR), including photos and regional and specific history.

I'm also including two photos, courtesy The Winchester: how it appeared as a hospital and how it looks now.

The Winchester

Inn, Restaurant &Wine Bar

Stilton Cheese and Onion Soup

Ingredients

¼ lb of butter

1 cup flour

2 onions julienne,

1 bunch leeks, chopped and washed

2 bottles Hefeweisen beer

3 cups chicken stock

1 pint heavy cream

1 cup Stilton cheese, crumbled

Salt and pepper to taste

Melt butter and whisk in flour to make a roux. Stir with a wooden spoon until dark tan in color, stir in beer, reserve mixture.

Cook onion and leeks in 4oz of butter until soft over medium low heat. (approx 15 minutes), add chicken stock and slowly bring to boil, stirring often. Season with salt and pepper whisk in reserved roux, stir in cheese, and then finish with the heavy cream. Season again if needed. Thin with more beer or chicken stock is necessary.

Serves 8