October 2023 Edition

Culture & News

The History of Brunch

The idea of weekend Brunch brings to mind soft jazz, mimosas, and a scrumptious menu to satisfy midday appetites. You can feast on frittatas, shrimp and grits, Belgian waffles, or the classic favorite Eggs Benedict. But how did this delightful dining event began? According to Wilhem Family Vineyards of Arizona: Brunch first appeared as an article by British author, Guy Beringer, in Hunter’s Weekly (1895). He advocated for an alternative to the post-church early dinner that would combine breakfast and lunch dishes for “Saturday-night carousers.” This trend reached the shores of America in the 1930s, available on transcontinental trains and associated with the celebrity lifestyle. It gained popularity during World War II, as more women joined the workforce and it provided a Sunday break from cooking at home.¹

Although, it appears the birth of Brunch has affluent roots, it has gained a growing foothold in the modern mainstream. It is often featured as a Mother’s Day event, found at church socials, civic organization gatherings, and as a party menu to entertain at home. Overall, its a sociable time for family and friends to connect, converse, and dine to their hearts content. A banquet fit for us all.            

Bibliography

(1 ) “The History of Brunch.” Wilhelm Family Vineyards. 2020. https://wilhelmvineyards.com/the-history-of-brunch/

💖For Additional Reading

Sweet Tea + Thyme: Southern Fried Chicken and Waffles with Spicy Honey Butter Sauce

 https://www.sweetteaandthyme.com/fried-chicken-waffles-spicy-honey-sauce/

Food52: A Southern-Inspired Brunch That Pulls Out All the Stops

https://food52.com/blog/22234-a-southern-inspired-brunch-that-pulls-out-all-the-stops

Southern Kitchen: Host a Southern Biscuit Party Complete with a Biscuit Bar

https://www.southernkitchen.com/articles/entertain/host-a-southern-biscuit-party-complete-with-a-biscuit-bar

*Notice: The article “The History of Brunch” was first published in the August 2021 Edition. To view the full edition click here.

Art/Film/Literature News

Sophie Mouse

The Adventures of Sophie Mouse is a super cute book series. Sophie is an artist who takes a break to help her mom prepare some tasty treats in the book: The Great Bake Off (The Adventures of Sophie Mouse Book 14) by Poppy Green & Illustrated by Jennifer A. Bell. She also encourages her mom to enter the “Tenth Annual Firefly Springs Bake Off.” This book has good writing, fun storyline, and cute black-white illustrations.

The second book I have read in the series is: Silverlake Art Show (The Adventures of Sophie Mouse Book 13). Sophie Mouse is excited for the Silverlake Art Show. But soon discovers what happens when her art work is not in the spotlight. A cute storyline with black and white illustrations. Such enjoyable sweet books!

Business/Non-Profit News

Maximum Impact Travel Tours

Jay Cameron is the CEO of Maximum Impact Travel Tours which features travel to the continent of Africa, with have plans to include tours in Europe and South America in 2024. According to Black News.com: “The company aims to counter the often-distorted portrayals of Africa in Western media by providing unparalleled cultural immersion…”Jay says he desires to introduce as many Americans as possible to the inspiring cultures, powerful histories, profound knowledge, and wonderful people he has encountered on his journeys.”

Black News.com: Black Entrepreneur’s Travel Company Hosts Luxury Group Trips to Africa Several Times a Year (September 2023)

Black Entrepreneur's Travel Company Hosts Luxury Group Trips to Africa Several Times a Year

Book Review

Not On My Watch

I had not heard of “The Activist Mommy” prior to coming across her book: Not On My Watch: How to Win the Fight for Family, Faith, and Freedom by Elizabeth Johnston (2019, 224 pages). I am glad to have read this one. The author provides a conservative Christian perspective on issues that include: social Marxism, transgender bathroom directives, and abortion. Her activism has taken the form of sit-ins, protest events, counseling, and burning a Teen Vogue magazine in an effigy video that went viral.

The author describes experiences with social media bullying, censorship, and how she landed in Facebook jail. She remembers how a troll sent “a rejection letter from Jesus” for her views. She makes good points about social media censorship of opposing viewpoints. Interestingly enough, recent U.S. congressional hearings allege collusion between Big Tech social media companies and federal law enforcement agencies to censor the online voices of some Americans to create a political driven echo chamber.

The book’s style of language is not mean or hateful, it’s just firm in her religious beliefs. Although, she does take a couple of digs here and there. It has good writing, humor, and references to biblical scripture. I will point out one critique in that the author does a bit of romanticism of early American History and the founding fathers. We must remember sin and hypocrisy existed then as well in the full context of the time period.

I appreciate reading political works be it left, right, or center of the aisle. This book proved to be a good addition to that diverse political perspective. A very good read!


Book Quotes:

“Some men are too prideful or intimidated to recognize a call on a woman’s life, but not you.”

“The edict implicitly threatened that schools that didn’t obey King Obama’s radical social agenda would then lose federal funding and risk becoming the subjects of lawsuits.”

‘I made fun of their objectifying vagina costumes and their double standard of intolerance for diverse views.”

“One of the most powerful things we did was threaten to sue the schools for pandering obscenity to minors.”

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