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Gretchen Swank
- Dec 7, 2023
- 2 min
More Than Pennsylvania Dutch Sugar Cookies
When I was a child, my best friend and I walked to visit my grandmother nearly every day in the summertime. A widow, she lived alone in...
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Gretchen Swank
- Nov 25, 2023
- 7 min
A People of Equality and Integrity- The Pennsylvania Dutch
Recently, a friend and I were driving home from celebrating Erntfescht, the traditional Pennsylvania Dutch "Thanksgiving," with our...
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Gretchen Swank
- Apr 5, 2023
- 3 min
Dandelion on Griedunnerschdaag (Green Thursday); a Pennsylvania Dutch Tradition
The Dandelion. Perhaps one of the most misunderstood gifts provided by Mother Nature. Their bright yellow heads pop-up everywhere, and...
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Gretchen Swank
- Dec 25, 2022
- 3 min
The Christmas Gift
Last year, I gifted my parents our family tree for Christmas. I spent a few months pouring myself over, and into, the project which...
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Gretchen Swank
- Dec 24, 2022
- 2 min
Where did the Christmas Tree Take Root?
The Christmas Tree tradition as we now know it began in 16th century (the region what is now) Germany when Christians brought decorated...
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Gretchen Swank
- Dec 5, 2022
- 2 min
Saint Nicholas Eve Feast
Today, December 5th, 2022, is the eve of Saint Nicholas Day. My family and I celebrated with a big dinner and the movie "Krampus." My...
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Gretchen Swank
- Nov 27, 2022
- 1 min
Turkey Vegetable Soup with Homemade Noodles
Today was the day I had to do something with the leftover turkey from Thanksgiving. So, I tapped into my creativity, opened my cabinets,...
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Gretchen Swank
- Nov 25, 2022
- 2 min
"Harvest Home" - an early Pennsylvania Dutch tradition
The tradition of Thanksgiving took root in the 1600's in the New England colonies, and eventually became a National Holiday in 1863 when...
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Gretchen Swank
- Nov 17, 2022
- 2 min
Indoor Garden
Among the many charms Pennsylvania has to offer, four distinct seasons is perhaps the most alluring of her offerings. The balance of...
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Gretchen Swank
- Nov 15, 2022
- 2 min
"... A Sailor's Warning."
This morning, I woke to the most beautiful sunrise over my husband's family barn, built circa 1800. My son asked, "why is the sky so...
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Gretchen Swank
- Nov 14, 2022
- 2 min
Pennsylvania Dutch vs. Pennsylvania German Ancestry
"Pennsylvania Dutch" and "Pennsylvania German" are often used interchangeably to describe the German-speaking immigrants who arrived in...
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