Time Was

One of the things I always tell people when they ask what kind of a town Wilmington is, is that we are a city with a big heart.
Think of the wonderful work being done by the Caring Closet, the Lions Club or Kuzma Care Cottage and how often we see food drives and other fund-raisers in this city. These fund-raisers are not only held by non-profit organizations, but also by businessmen, such as tavern owners, who do what they can in their own way to make life a little easier for those in need.

When I was little, I read about the various holiday dishes that appear in traditional Christmas stories. Many of them were strange to me. Since then, I have taken the time to find out just what those wonderful holiday dishes were about. Here are traditional recipes for some historical favorites as well as some traditions from my own family.

There are many ways to raise funds for a good cause. In the 19th century the most popular way was to hold a sociable, and the Braidwood area was no exception. Put on your party dress and best suit, let's be sociable.
The definition of a sociable is a little vague. It could be an event held at someone's home, where music, parlor games and food were featured. Those attending would donate to some cause, usually whatever they cared to give.