I want you all might have an Aunt Lottie in your loved ones. Mine was Charlie’s mom’s sister. It mattered to not her whether or not you had been of her lineage — she cherished a brand new member of the family “by marriage” simply as a lot. She was one-of-a-kind, and tales about her would fill multiple column. Earlier than I start right now, I would like you to know somewhat bit about her background. Although she and her husband, Uncle Roy, by no means had any youngsters of their very own, their love for nieces and nephews (and their youngsters and grandchildren) started as quickly as every had been born. One factor Aunt Lottie anticipated: each new child wanted to be dropped at her so she might maintain it. Uncle Roy died after they’d celebrated their 53rd marriage ceremony anniversary, and she or he lived as a widow for 26 extra years, till age 96.
In the present day, I needed to inform you about one of many legacies she left behind — that of constructing artichoke relish. If any of you within the Orangeburg space have tasted selfmade artichoke relish, there’s a good probability it had somewhat “Aunt Lottie affect” in it. Let me inform you how that got here to be.
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Yearly, she put aside a day to make artichoke relish. It’s good to know that there are two sorts of artichoke. The one for relish is a small white tuber which grows underground. The vegetation multiply and are available again from yr to yr. Often, if they’re rising in somebody’s yard or backyard, it’s as a result of they intend to make the most of them in making this “facet dish.” Mainly, the relish components are floor artichokes, onions and inexperienced and purple peppers, together with a vinegar, mustard and sugar base. For years, Aunt Lottie’s supply of artichokes was a Mr. Stoudemire from Orangeburg. When she referred to as, he dug the artichokes out of the bottom and had them washed for her.
In earlier years, Aunt Lottie and two of her sisters made the relish collectively. After one sister died and the opposite moved to be nearer her daughter, Charlie and his sister Wilma volunteered to assist Aunt Lottie. In case you have by no means been in a kitchen the place vinegar, sugar and onions had been boiling, you may’t think about the robust aroma that adheres to clothes. On the finish of the day these went straight into the washer. Many helpers appeared ahead to today, and as tales got here out of the enjoyable they’d collectively, extra started to hitch the group.
One yr my brother-in-law from Charleston determined to return. When he requested how he might assist, Aunt Lottie instructed him to sit down down and keep out of the best way until she requested him deliver one thing to her. As she was stirring and tasting, she determined that batch wanted somewhat extra sugar. “Mike,” she mentioned, “Convey me one other bag of sugar.”
He mentioned, “I simply gave you a bag.”
And she or he instructed him in no unsure phrases, “Convey me a bag of sugar or return and sit down.” The sugar was added.
Now, there are a number of methods this artichoke relish might have made its approach onto the plates of a few of you.
1. Aunt Lottie’s nephew, James Dantzler, lives in Orangeburg. His mom, Caroline, additionally made a model of Aunt Lottie’s relish, although Aunt Lottie used to say that Caroline added one thing that she didn’t put in hers. At any price, James and his buddies, the John Webers, determined to make artichoke relish to share with buddies. In addition they usually donated some to organizations which had silent auctions to lift cash. Due to that, many individuals in Orangeburg have had the chance to know what it tastes like.
2. Sooner or later, Dwight Frierson ate a few of Aunt Lottie’s relish. He requested Charlie if he thought Aunt Lottie may enable him to return learn to make it. She was tickled about that. After watching her a number of instances combine the components collectively with out ever measuring something, on one “Relish Day,” Dwight arrived with bowls, measuring cups, and many others. — and a case of her favourite sort of Coca Cola. Every time Aunt Lottie started so as to add components, Dwight was proper there saying, “Wait a minute — put it on this first so I can measure it.” By the top of the day, he had written down and tallied up simply what went into her relish. When Aunt Lottie was now not in a position to make artichoke relish, she instructed Charlie, “I would like Dwight to have my grinder.” That was delivered to him, and he started to make his personal relish with a few of the identical utensils that had been used for a few years previously.
In January this yr, on his personal “Relish Day,” Dwight was joined by Aunt Lottie’s great-nephew (our son) and his spouse together with members of Dwight’s household and some additional buddies. By the top of the day, they’d not solely made relish, however in addition they made pork sausage! Maybe you might have tasted some that he made.
3. There’s additionally a 3rd supply of this relish — her neighbors in Windfall Group, Jamie and Leon Dantzler, additionally use a model of Aunt Lottie’s recipe to make it, and now they’ve many individuals who look to them for his or her provide. The ripple simply retains going.
As I discussed earlier than, Aunt Lottie cherished her household and welcomed all new members with open arms. When she died, she named 34 individuals in her Will (largely nieces and nephews of a point.) I do know there have been that many, as a result of Charlie was her Private Consultant, and he appointed ME to get that many addresses so that they may very well be notified of her presents. Although she was not even near being rich, she needed to depart them extra of a legacy than simply artichoke relish. Certificates of Deposit had been a superb funding in her day, and she or he named every particular person who would obtain a sure portion of them. She fastidiously selected and itemized a few of her private possessions to go to others. I used to be so comfortable to obtain the infant cradle that had been made for her when she was born in 1905. We had borrowed it when every one among our sons was born. It was put in our kitchen in order that I might hold my eyes on “the infant” as life went on in our home. She knew I cherished that cradle, so, although she gave it to me whereas she was nonetheless residing, she had at all times instructed me it was in her Will. She didn’t need anybody to query that it belonged to me. An exquisite lady — and a beautiful instance she set for not solely these 34 descendants, but in addition for all who knew her.