Every now and then I come across something among the old papers and documents I am working with that triggers my imagination and makes me smile. Picture this:
The year is 1941. It was the year Roosevelt's Lend Lease program was signed into law, the war in Europe was raging between Germany and Russia, and there were dark rumors about the Japanese; women wore their hair shoulder length or in smooth buns, Joan Crawford style dresses with big shoulder pads, and never left home without a fancy hat and gloves. In Cabot, the Judith Lyford Woman's Club met regularly - Grace and Mable Bartlett, Goldie Hopkins, Ruth Hawes, Doris Harvey, Eva Perry, Gertrude Wells, Nettie Williams, Jennie Rogers, Sadie Laird, and others - for lunch in their sedate club rooms (picture at right) at Willey Hall. There was a kitchen, a dining room and a parlor where the ladies met, entertained the community on occasion, and worked diligently to raise money to support the town's library, give scholarships to worthy students, or fund special causes.

I came across a little booklet containing the club's calendar that had belonged to Ida M. Barr. (Ida was famous in town for her hats. She went to church every Sunday and always wore a spectacular hat. I imagine she wore the same or similar ones to club meetings - and of course it was customary for women to leave their hats on when indoors, but very poor manners for a man to do so.) The booklet had the Club Prayer, the Vermont Federation Song, a list of officers and members, and a year's worth of planned meeting dates and events. At the back of the book on an unprinted page she had written, "Mrs. Amidon's Recipe, Fluffy Gingerbread." And here it is:
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/2 cup shortening (butter or lard)
2 eggs
3/4 cup molasses
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup boiling water
Sift dry ingredients, cream butter, add sugar, beaten eggs, dry ingredients, little at a time, add molasses, beat well, boiling water blended.
9x9 tin, moderate oven 350, 45 minutes.

I bet they had gingerbread and whipped cream at their luncheon that day and someone used this recipe. Mrs. Amidon was not listed as a club member, but someone had her recipe and Ida apparently wanted it. What are women's clubs for if not to exchange an occasional recipe?