My favorite recipe - Meet Cheryl Brock, Colfax

While Cheryl Brock does not consider herself to be very exciting, where she lives and the people she calls neighbors are another matter.

“Life on Prune Orchard is the story to tell,” she said, pointing out the unique and friendly spirit the people out there have.

Cheryl moved to her home on Prune Orchard Road in 1994 three months after marrying Travis Brock. Prior to her marriage, she was a widow living in South Carolina where her two sons still live. Although Cheryl grew up in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, she never thought she would end up in the Northwest.

Travis and Cheryl moved to the area to be closer to Travis’ work. He is an electrician at Lower Granite Dam. He is also the president of the United Power Trades Organization, a union for the trades and craftsmen such as electricians, operators and mechanics who work at the dams. Cheryl noted that he has a home office for his president position or they would be gone a lot more than they already are.

The Brocks are very active in trying to protect the dams from being taken out. As the union president, Travis goes to Washington D.C. once a year. One year they stayed back east for a month, lobbying against changes the federal government was trying to make.

“It was real fun being there that long,” Cheryl said. Even after retirement, they plan to continue campaigning in favor of the dams.

Travis also goes to Portland once a month and travels to other dams and places as needed. Cheryl goes with him and takes notes for arbitration. She doesn’t get paid for her time.

After moving to Prune Orchard Road south of Colfax, the Brocks found themselves welcomed by the other residents. Cheryl noted anyone who lives on the road is considered a neighbor and some are just as tight as if they shared a fence. Annually, the residents get together for a fun run and picnic. Some families along the road have a tradition of stopping by during holidays with goodies and pizza.

About 10 years ago they started the Prune Orchard book group, which has been a way to get people together, Cheryl commented. The group has expanded and now includes members who don’t live along the same winding stretch of road.

The neighborhood has also done progressive dinners and fondue parties. Cheryl is part of a group of women who get together for birthday lunches.

The farmers along the road are good about welcoming and educating visiting kids. Cheryl said when kids come visit from the cities, the farmers let them ride in the tractor and tell them about farming and the wheat.

Cheryl is very much a people person. Even though she is gone a lot for Travis’ work or to visit their children who live all across the country, she is still out and about when at home. She works at Tick Klock Drug Store. She has been on the county Planning Commission for a year. She was part of the group that sculpted the wind farm ordinance.

“It was interesting,” she said. Although the topic was sort of controversial, nothing has happened yet, but she is still waiting to see what happens over time.

Cheryl worked at the former Becky’s Fabrics store in Colfax and through that learned to quilt. She still enjoys quilting and also likes to garden.

Cheryl also goes deer hunting. She and Travis hunt together near and far—near being the hills right outside their back door.

While Cheryl misses the warm winter weather she enjoyed in the south, she has warmly embraces the culture and people along Prune Orchard Road.

“I’ve lived a lot of places and I’ve learned home is where you hang your hat,” she said. Although she may be gone traveling a lot, Cheryl still hangs her hat along a dusty Whitman County road.

Recipes:

Ice Box Rolls

1 pkg. dry yeast

1/2 cup warm water (105 to 115 degrees)

2 cups milk

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup lard or butter

5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

Dissolve yeast in warm water, stirring well. Let stand 5 minutes or until bubbly.

Scald milk; add sugar and lard, stirring well. Cool mixture to lukewarm.

Add dissolved yeast to milk mixture; stir well. Add flour, baking powder, soda and salt.

Turn dough out onto a floured surface; knead 8 minutes or until smooth. Place in a greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place, free from drafts, 1 hour or until double in bulk.

Turn dough out onto a floured surface, and knead 3 to 4 times. Return dough to bowl; cover and chill until needed. (Dough may be stored in a refrigerator several days.)

Divide dough into 48 portions. Roll each piece into a 10 inch rope and tie into a loose knot, stretching rope gently if needed.

Place rolls onto greased baking sheets. Cover and repeat rising procedure 30 minutes or until doubled in bulk. Bake at 450 degrees for 8 minutes or until lightly browned.

Peanut Butter Peanut Brittle

2 cups sugar

1/4 cup water

1 1/2 cup Karo syrup

2 cups salted peanut

2 1/2 cup peanut butter

1 tsp. vanilla

1 1/2 tsp. soda

Combine sugar and water, boil. Add syrup. Cook to “hard crack” 305 degrees. Remove from stove.

Warm vanilla, peanuts and peanut butter. Add to mixture. Add baking soda.

Stir quickly. Spread on cooking sheet.

Maple-Apple Oatmeal Cookies

3/4 cup pure maple syrup

3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

1 lg. egg

3 Tbsp. canola oil

1 Tbsp. butter, softened

2 1/4 cup uncooked rolled oats, not instant

1 1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour

1/4 cup toasted wheat germ

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 1/2 cups chopped dried apple

1/2 cup raisin

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray cookie sheets with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, beat together the maple syrup, applesauce, egg, canola, oil, butter and vanilla.

In a separate large bowl, combine oats, flour, wheat germ, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg. Toss to mix. Stir in the apple and raisins. Add to the maple syrup mixture and blend well, but do not overmix.

Drop the batter by the tablespoon about 2 inches apart onto the baking sheets. Bake for 15 minutes, until golden. Transfer to wire racks to cool thoroughly.