Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Sweetbread

Time to get back to the core activities of the Rebel Rivers Canoe Club: cooking and watching people cook. There have been many elegant meals prepared on the riverbanks of Middle Tennessee, but nothing says RRCC like its signature dish of homemade, southern-style sweetbreads.

Sweetbread is the culinary term for the thymus gland (in the throat) and the pancreas (near the stomach) taken from calves, lambs or pigs. The OED cites the first appearance of sweetbread in print in 1565. In 1578, The Historie of Man had this description: "A certaine Glandulous part, called Thimus, which in Calues...is most pleasaunt to be eaten. I suppose we call it the sweete bread." But here at the RRCC we call them like we see them and therefore we call this appetizer "goat balls." Which may cause some confusion to those outside the Club since testicles used in cooking are known as sweetmeat, not sweetbread.

The first appearance of sweetbread on an RRCC trip was May 25, 2004, on the East Fork of the Stones River when it was introduced to the membership by Jim Myers. Here is a picture of that pleasaunt delicacy just after it was caught but before Jim worked his magic.















Sweetbreads must be trimmed first, tubes and gristle cut off, then soaked until they are white, blanched for a few minutes, skin and nerves removed and pressed between two boards with a small weight on top to shape them nicely. Here is an actual field demonstration of the meat separation process:















After the membranes are removed, Jim gently sautés the meat in butter with shallots, garlic and white wine.

Notice of Meeting

How is everybody for next Wednesday night, Sept. 7?

Agenda:

1. Fall trip (October or November)
2. Web site
3. Canoe trailer
4. Toast to Kirly
5. Welcome back Loeppky, the Jims, Rob Cannon, new members

Please use the "comments" section below to discuss scheduling time and place.

Tuesday, August 30, 2005

How High's the Water, Mama?

Twenty feet and risin'...

Breaking News - Stuart's baby

Stuart and his wife Rita (mainly Rita, I guess) are in the process of having their second baby this morning. Check comments below for updates...

Sunday, August 28, 2005

Strong Showing by Kirly at Derby!

















Nearly all the members of the RRCC were on hand last night to see Dr. Bowles win the hearts of the fans at the 2005 version of the Wilson County Demolition Derby.



Kirk put on a clinic for the S.R.O. crowd with a smart, aggressive driving style. The Revel Rivers car methodically thinned the field with quick strikes and a brilliant Rope-a-Dope move up on the west wall before black smoke rings and bright yellow flames from the stacks signaled that the end was near.


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Members DeSha, Delevante and Cronin put their river skills to good use navigating road closures on I-40.




Look for more details, photos and an exclusive interview with the driver at this site soon!

Friday, August 26, 2005

Last Year's Derby

Kirk in action in the 2004 Derby.

Here's the dirty dog what knocked him out of the competition. We'll get him this year, though.



Wilson County Fair

How did we miss this one? The RRCC could have had members competing in two different events. Must get Mike signed up earlier next year...

Rhode Island Red-Head Contest
Monday, August 22 * 7:00 PM at the Poultry Barn
The Man or Woman Whose Hair Most Closely Matches the Color
of the Rhode Island Red Rooster Will Win a $25 Gift Certificate
and a Picture Plaque to Commemorate the Event.
* Prior Winners Ineligible to win, but encouraged to judge.
Presented by Wilson County Promotions, Inc. and All-American Shows, Inc.

Wilson County Fair



Tomorrow is a big day for the RRCC. We will all be at the Wilson County Fair for the Lawn Mower Races, the Hog-O-Rama and, of course, to cheer Kirk on as he drives the Rebel Rivers car to victory in the Demolition Derby.

August 25, 2005 Meeting Report


Five members met last night at the HQ. On the agenda: club logo design and updates on the RRCC Derby car.

Preparation for the Derby

A glimpse inside the RRCC machine shop...


Our Team RRCC Driver

The Rebel Rivers Canoe Club is proud to sponsor Dr. Kirk "Kirly" Bowles driving a Plymouth Fury in the 2005 Wilson County Demolition Derby.

Demolition Derby


Demolition Derby
Sponsored by A-1 Johnny Knowles Bonding, Inc.
Model Years 1978 Up Friday, August 26, 2005 at 7:00 PM - Full-Size CarsModel Years thru 1977 Saturday, August 27, 2005 at 7:00 PM - Full-Size Cars12 Car Feature Limited To First 50 Cars Each Night
Heat and Trophy Sponsor: Cumberland Auto Body RepairFor Complete Rules & Pre-Registration Contact:L&W West Main Texaco, 910 W. Main St. Lebanon, TN 37087 444-2862Competition Director: Josh Greer 615-449-5767