Lent Take out Menu 2018

Fact Friday-Church of Christ

Over the past month or so, we have learned that Ercildoun was a place where the freedom seekers passed through to reach a better life. After the Civil War, some of them stayed and made a life here and a town their own.

Their descendants still reside here in town and some of them have passed down the stories that were given to them. A man by the name of Milton Searle tells the story of Samuel Ruth, a former slave from the South, came here with his wife Louisa. They, including a man named James Brown, were baptized in this area and started to hold Bible studies in the area regularly. According to Searle, they were the first people of color to worship in Kelton, located in Penn Township.  They were given a letter from the Church of Christ to build another congregation in 1868.

This then prompted Samuel to hold Bible study sessions in peoples’ homes and encouraged others to join in worship with them. He then started to meet in the Abolitionist Hall with Quakers in the area in December of 1868.

Photo courtesy of Localcemetaries.com

Louisa Ruth, Samuel’s wife, worked for a Quaker woman in the area. The Quaker woman sold them an “8.163 acre plot of land” which then became Church of Christ.

On April 7, 1911 the deed was entrusted to Samuel Ruth. However, the deed also stated that no organs or other musical instruments to be used or kept in on the premises.

Searle also stated, “The stones for the foundation were dug and carted from the Jacob Carter place just south of the village and the stone mason was Mr. Compton. The Ruth children and community members carried the stones from the quarry to the building site.”

That same year, the church bought more land for a bigger parking lot and to expand the graveyard.

Today the church is still very much used and beloved by the community.

Everyone deserves to make an impact in their community. Those who were escaping for a better life did just that.  The Church of Christ was lead by some truly fearless people who took their faith seriously and wanted to make their lasting legacy here in Ercildoun.

Without knowing the black history of Ercildoun, you only see half the picture. Ercildoun is too important to only know half of its story.

Note: The information for this Fact Friday comes from the book Ercildoun: A Quaker Village in Chester County, PA by Janet Polk Morris. Morris gathered her information from Great Grandmother Leah’s Legacy, Remember! You’re Free” by Ida Jones William which was also used for this post. William is Samuel and Louisa’s Granddaughter. Ercildoun resident Milton Searles also provided information for Morris, which was then used for this post. We here at Triple Fresh do not claim ownership of this information and are strictly using it for education purposes.  

Easy Chicken Marsala for Two

You don't need to make something crazy to impress your significant other. Here is a recipe that is quick yet fancy and it doesn't break the bank!

Ingredients

-6 chicken tenders (about 1.5 pounds)

-¼ cup oil

-½ cup All-purpose flour

-½ tsp salt and black pepper

-½ tsp ground black pepper

-8 ounces sliced mushrooms, white or crimini

-¼ cup sweet Marsala wine

1- cup beef gravy

Directions

Put the chicken tenders side by side on a cutting board and lay a piece of plastic wrap over them; pound with a flat meat mallet, until they are about 1/4-inch thick. Put flour in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper; mix with a fork to distribute evenly. 

Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. When the oil is nice and hot, dredge both sides of the chicken cutlets in the seasoned flour, shaking off the excess. Gently lay cutlets into the hot pan and fry for 5 minutes on each side until golden, turning once – do this in batches if the pieces don't fit comfortably in the pan. 

Remove the chicken to a large dish in a single layer to keep warm. Lower the heat to medium and add the mushrooms and sauté until they are nicely browned and their moisture has evaporated, about 5 minutes. Pour the Marsala in the pan and boil down for a few seconds to cook out the alcohol and reduce by half. Add the beef gravy and bring to a simmer. Return the chicken to the pan; simmer gently for 1 minute to heat the chicken through.

Serve with asparagus, and thin spaghetti or garlic mashed potatoes.

*Everything mentioned in this recipe can be found right in the store! Except the Marsala wine. 

Photo courtesy of Broke & Literate

Valentine's Day Happenings

Can you believe it's that time of year again? Valentine's Day is right around the corner and Triple Fresh has you covered.

We have flowers being sold by the dozen, by carnations, and bouquets. Prices vary from $4.99 to $19.99.

Grab a sweet for your sweetie! In the bakery we are selling cookies, brownies, and other pastries that are festive for Valentine's Day.

Some of our festive cookies

We also have cards and candy if you want to make a simple but sweet gesture.

Whether you are buying for a special someone or even for yourself, make this Valentine's Day a great one!

Just some of the beautiful flowers we have here in store

Fact Friday- Ercildoun Seminary

On Buck Run Road, you may pass a rather large house that has seen a thing or two in its life time.

This house was once a learning institution, a beer hall, and now a shelter for families in need. Let’s start at its beginning and see how this building came to be.

The building first opened its doors in 1854 as a learning institution for boys. Three years later, it would be transformed into a Seminary for all girls. It was referred to as the Ercildoun Seminary.

The education received at the Seminary included, but was not limited to, Geography, Chemistry, History, Astronomy, Latin, French, and English. With a list like this, the education didn’t come cheap. It was $80 a semester to attend. This included room and board, tuition, and laundry.

A tornado hit the area in July of 1877 (this is explained in more detail in our previous post).  Its upper floor was ripped off and destroyed from the powerful winds. The building was then abandoned by Mr. and Mrs. Darlington, a couple who lived there full time in the Seminary. They went on to create a similar learning institution for girls in West Chester.

The building reopened in 1879, two years after the storm. Over the next decade or so, the Seminary was lead by a handful of Head Masters. Professor George Moore was the last to hold this position.

It became residential in 1906 and was no longer used as a learning institution. When Prohibition was tightening its grip on the country, the building was used as a beer hall and named The Academy. To keep this under wraps, it was disguised as a literary club. Authorities caught wind of this in 1933 and were shut down soon after. Ironically, 1933 was the year Prohibition ended.

What the building looks like today. Courtesy of Bimmerpost

With its drinking past behind it, the building was then used as housing for special needs children from the 1940's to the 1970's. 

As of today, it is now the site of St. Joseph’s House. This organization assists single mothers, widows, orphans, and families in times of crisis. If you are not familiar with St. Joseph’s House, visit their website and take a look.

Like many of the buildings in Ercildoun, it was adapted over time to fit the community’s needs of the time. They needed a school in the 1850's so they built it. They needed a residential area in the 1900's so they changed it. They needed a place to keep their alcohol in the 1920's and 30's, and then they made it so.

You don’t have to look far for historical treasures. Sometimes all you have to do is take a quick walk down the road. 

Source used: Polk Morris, Janet. Ercildoun: A Quaker Village in Chester County, PA. (2014): 71-74.

iSwich Gourmet

There is a hidden gem that is as sweet as the cookies they sit next to: iSwich Gourmet.

What is iSwich Gourmet?

iSwich is sugar that is organically and locally made. The flavors include Espresso, Vanilla Bean, Cinnamon, Lemon, Lime, Coconut, and Dark Coco.

Here is a short description for each flavor:

Espresso- Our espresso sugar is made from dark rich coffee beans and our organic sugar. This goes great with ice cream, yogurt, cupcakes, or hot chocolate. You can also add it to your favorite chocolate or vanilla cocktails!

Vanilla Bean- Tahitian vanilla and organic sugar cane are found in this vanilla bean sugar. This also can pair with ice cream and cupcakes. You can also jazz up your brownies and creme brulee.

Cinnamon- This is a spicy sugar that goes great with apple desserts, sugar cookies, and toast! It also sits well on the rim of your glass for mulled apple cider and cocktails. Perfect for the fall season.

Lemon- It's tart and sweet. This combination can goes great with berries, muffins, or pound cake. Also goes great with flavored vodkas.

Lime- This likes to be paired with your Southwestern and Mexican cuisine. Goes great with tonic or margarita drinks for a special touch. This also goes well with ice cream, pound cake, cupcakes, sugar cookies, and berries.

Coconut- This is a new flavor! This goes great with coffee, tea, pancakes, or waffles. If you're more of a dinner person, pair it with your curries, chicken, or fish.

Dark Cocoa- Also a new flavor, this is for anyone who loves chocolate. This loves strawberries, pancakes, and French toast! Coffee and White Russians go best with this sugar flavor.


iSwich Gourmet is located right where the cookies live. Stop in today and try something new this month!

Pictured here are Espresso, Vanilla Bean, and Lime

Fact Friday- Ercildoun

Over the past month we have explored the historical background of Ercildoun. This place has been in existence for a very long time and has a lot more stories to tell.

On this Friday, I would like to share some quick facts about this small but impressive place.

1. Ercildoun is about 43 acres in size.

2. It is often referred to a "hamlet" and not a city or town. A hamlet, by definition, is a small settlement, generally one smaller than a village. It is considered a large hamlet.

3. There was a tornado that took place in 1877 that was very significant and taught in college courses for quite some time. More information on that event is in the previous blog post!

4. The name Ercildoun was taken from a poem by Sir Walter Scott. The poem was titled, "Thomas the Rhymer".

5. At first, the name was spelled Ercildown until it was changed to the current spelling on April 14, 1854

6. There are about 100 people that live in Ercildoun.

7. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 20, 1985.

8. One notable residents was Rebecca Lukens, who is recognized as the first female CEO of an industrial company, Lukens Steel.

9. It is home to the People's Hall. This building was heavily apart of the anti-slavery movement.

10. It is in East Fallowfield Township, home of the best market place and caterer, Triple Fresh!

Fallowfield Meetinghouse, built in 1811

Sources used: "Ercildoun, National Historic District, East Fallowfield Township, Chester County, Coatesville PA 19320".www.livingplaces.com. 2018-02-1.