MY FAVORITE RECIPES By Dee Bryson: Meet JoAn Hubbard

 

March 22, 2018

JoAn Hubbard

JoAn Hubbard will soon be leaving her native Colfax home, relocating nearer to her children on the west side of Washington state.

Any time that you make a move, it can be difficult. Now imagine that you are 84 years old and only ever lived in one town. Not only that, but the town is where your parents and grandparents were raised. Colfax has been home for JoAn Hubbard and her family since 1896. Now JoAn has a hard time getting the words out, without getting choked up, that she is leaving the only town she has called home. She is moving to the west side of the state to be closer to her children.

The seventh of 10 children, she is now the oldest living of her siblings and the only one left in Colfax. JoAn graduated from high school with the class of 1953. No doubt, there have been a number of her family members over several generations who have also graduated from Colfax High School, but she smiled tenderly as she mentioned that her mother was part of the graduating class of 1919.

One of JoAn’s favorite memories of childhood is running down the stairs that were built into the hill that went from her home to her grandparents' home. She fondly remembers the smell and taste of her grandmother’s sugar cookies and is saddened that the recipe was not written down and preserved for her family to continue to enjoy.

JoAn also warmly recalls the family gatherings that were held at her parents' house, the beautiful decorations that were hung and the incredible detail that her mother would include to make the holidays festive. JoAn also boasted of the table that her father made that could be extended during gatherings to seat 38 people. She is full of gratitude for the good memories she has and the life her parents created for their family.

JoAn’s dad sponsored a softball team when she was a child, and many days were spent traveling with the team and cheering them on. It wasn’t until her brother was in fourth grade that her family began to shift over to another sport they loved, basketball. She said it was her brother that first fell in love with the sport and then the entire family followed suit. Her brother would later go on to play for WSU. JoAn chuckled while remembering her grandmother’s love for basketball and recalled the evenings she spent watching her grandmother pace around the table while listening to the game on the radio.

JoAn has fond memories of walking down Main Street and reminisced about all the changes she has seen in her lifetime.

She recalls the beauty of the grand buildings that once stood in Colfax.

She is an avid historian and has collected hundreds of photos over the years, preserving them so others can now enjoy their beauty.

Many citizens throughout the county have JoAn to thank for priceless pictures.

She has labored in love to research, print and make them available for many more generations to enjoy.

For JoAn, they aren’t just pictures of a town she loves, many are small pieces of her family history.

For example, it was in the historical, old hospital many think of as “The haunted hospital” that JoAn gave birth to all three of her children.

Over time many things have changed for JoAn, but one thing has stayed a constant. The city of Colfax is a place she loves and is filled with some of her dearest friends. Every street holds a memory of her childhood or one of raising her children.

Recipes:

Christmas Cookies

This recipe was passed down

by JoAn’s mother.

3 Cups brown sugar

2 Cups shortening

Cream together.

Add to above mixture:

4 eggs

2 tsp. baking powder

5 Cups flour

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. cinnamon

2 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. soda

Add:

2 lbs. chopped dates

1/2 pound candied cherries, cut

3 slices candied pineapple, cut

1 pound chopped walnuts

1/2 pound Brazil nuts, chopped

1/2 pound blanched almonds, chopped

Drop by teaspoon onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at 325 degrees F for 15 minutes. Makes 12 dozen cookies (they store well.)

No Bake

Chocolate Drops

Bring to a boil:

2 Cups white sugar

1/2 Cup butter

1/2 Cup milk

Remove from heat and add:

3 Cups minute oats

1 Cup coconut

6 Tbsp. cocoa

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla

Drop by the teaspoon-full on ungreased cookie sheet. Don’t bake. Let stand for one hour.

 

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