By Darlene (Bun) McManus

July, 2010

 

It was our tradition to all go to our cabin for the Fourth of July. Most of our kids and grandchildren would come for the bang-up party taking place in the little nearby town, which may be one of the few places in the state to retain the traditions of an old-fashioned Idaho Fourth of July.

 

Clark Fork put on a celebration with a parade consisting mostly of logging trucks and old cars, contests of skill and daring in the school yard, and fireworks at the baseball field after dark. We could retreat to our cabin when the babies and old folks were worn out, old folks on those Fourths consisting of anyone over 35.

 

There was food available in town, but we had our own traditional picnic dinner of fried chicken, potato salad, baked beans and whatever salads that the garden provided or our girls brought with them. Dessert was strawberry shortcake. (We had a huge strawberry patch.)

 

There were sparklers and swimming, but the major fireworks show was provided by the town. We could sit on our lawn and watch it over the trees and reflected in the river. When we were brave enough, we would sit at the edge of the baseball diamond in town for an up-close view. We always hid behind the batter’s cage where we hoped there would be some protection from the flying sparks and fireworks. One of our friends, a lady who thought we were a bunch of “fraidy cats", sat right out in the open, until one Fourth when she was hit on the bottom with a wayward rocket! Most people thought the screech was just another part of the fireworks show.

 

That was in years past. As we got older, we usually went to No. 4 daughter’s home where there is a big fenced backyard and two culinary-school-trained chefs. It may not be the same as an old-fashioned Idaho Fourth, but it is always fun to get together with everyone and that is the most important part anyway.

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McManus Recipe of the Month: No 4th of July is complete without Bun's Baked Beans.

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