Recently I received an old cookbook from the pastor that someone had found and turned into the church. It has the name Tyler Memorial United Brethren Church, Chillicothe, Ohio on the front, but no date.

From the ads in it, I’m guessing this booklet must have been about the 1930’s. This was during the depression period. People were out of work and times were very bad. I think I recall F.D. Roosevelt wishing for a chicken in a pot for all on Sunday.

The following tells us:

To Clean and Dress Poultry

Singe by holding chicken over a flame from gas, alcohol, or burning paper. Cut off the head, turn back the skin, and cut the neck off quite close; take out windpipe and crop, cutting off close to the body. Remove pin feathers with the point of a sharp knife. Remove oil bag from the tail.

If internal organs have not been removed, make an opening under one of the legs, or at the vent, and remove them carefully, leaving a strip of skin above the vent. The intestines, gizzard, heart, and liver should be removed together; care must be taken that the gall bladder, which lies under the liver, not be broken; it must be carefully cut away from the liver. The lungs and the kidneys, lying in the hollows of the backbone must be carefully removed. Cut off the tips of the heart and cut open to extract any blood. Cut gizzard through to the inner coat, halfway around, take off the outer coat, and throw the inner bag away. The gizzard, heart, and liver are known as the giblets, and are prepared in various ways and are frequently used for making gravies and dressings for roasted poultry. Wash the giblets, put into cold water, heat quickly and cook until tender. The liver requires only a short time for cooking.

Scald feet with boiling water and pull off the skin. Place in soup kettle with giblets and other meats for soup.

Clean the chicken thoroughly; inside and out. Stuff and truss for roasting or cut into pieces for stew or fricassee.

After reading this process, I realize how thankful we can be that now we can purchase chicken whole or in pieces without having to go through the above process. Also thanks to the person who donated this Cookbook for the Thrifty Housewife. This old cookbook is very interesting and has many interesting items.

-Lucille Merrill

It is the time of old years passing and looking forward into the new. For many, it’s making good resolutions for the future. 

I’d like to think of the many good things that Tyler Church has been doing over past years. Remember when the men had fish-frys in that horrible old kitchen? They also had meals of wild creatures too. Remember the turkey dinners we had for fundraisers to pay for that “new addition”? So many folks helped – it was work, but we had jolly good fun even though we were tired. 

Dick Tuttle mentioned that back in the forties, Tyler had a building at the Ross County Fairgrounds and served meals at a very low price. He said that building burnt down. I have been trying to find out more about this and would appreciate any information about this. Tyler has always been interested in good food, love, and music. 

Remember the “jug band” and the orchestra and when we got the new organ? Most of those who played are gone, but I just loved to hear Willie Jeffries play the vibraharp. He did so much for the church music. 

Now, for the future. We must still keep the love of us all and press onward and upward through Christ.

                        --L. Merrill