VOICES OF TRUTH "DID YOU KNOW" NEWSLETTER

• 1/2 cup (113 g) butter
• ▢4 cups (620 g) peaches, fresh, frozen and thawed, or canned
• ▢1/2 cup (99 g) sugar

• ▢1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour, (spoon + level)
• ▢1 cup (198 g) sugar
• ▢2 teaspoons (8 g) baking powder
• ▢1/4 teaspoon (1 g) kosher salt
• ▢1 cup (227 g) milk

• ▢1 teaspoon (5 g) vanilla extract
• ▢1/2 teaspoon (1 g) ground cinnamon
• Prep. Preheat the oven to 350º F. Add sliced butter to the baking dish and place in the oven while it preheats to allow the butter to melt. Remove the baking dish once the butter has melted.
• Prep the peaches. Add peeled and sliced fresh peaches and 1/2 cup sugar to a bowl and toss to combine. If using thawed frozen peaches, do the same as fresh peaches. If using canned peaches, drain away the juices from one can of peaches and only use the juices from one can.
• Make the cobbler batter. Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Pour in the milk and whisk until smooth and well combined. If using self-rising flour, omit the baking powder and salt.
• Add peaches. Pour the peaches over the melted butter, evenly distributing over the melted butter. Do not stir.
• Add the cobbler batter. Pour the cobbler batter evenly over the peaches, do not stir.
• Bake. Bake until lightly golden brown on top, about 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to rest about 3 minutes.
• Serve. Serve warm.

"DID YOU KNOW"

The symbolism of peaches 

**In China,, the peach symbolizes immortality, good luck and unity.  Often, brides will wear peach blossoms in their hair to ensure a long-lasting marriage

**In Chinese culture the peach tree is considered the tree of life

FOR HAPPINESS

**Peaches are known as the fruit of calmness, and it's for a good reason.  Not only do peaches reduce anxiety, recent studies have also shown that peach aromas have an analgesic effect that acts as a painkiller and antipressant.

DREAMING OF PEACHES

Eating a peach in your dream may signify a reunion with someone from y

That place on the Nashua River now spanned by the covered bridge has been host to a bridge since about 1740.

Even a brief history of a bridge at that river crossing must include a particular event that took place there just a couple of days after the British regulars marched into Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. Pepperell, Groton and Hollis Minutemen responded to that call by the dozens leaving their wives, mothers and sisters to deal with the children, the farms and any situation that might arise.

One Pepperell woman, Prudence Cummings Wright, had been raised in a household that freely discussed politics and not all shared the same opinions.

Prudence was a Patriot, inside and out while her brother Samuel was a Tory, loyal to the King. By 1775 Prudence was 35 years old, had been married 14 years and mother to 6 living children. While visiting her mother in Hollis, she overheard her brother and his Tory cohort, Benjamin Whiting, discuss a plan to deliver a message to British regulars revealing the location of gunpowder hidden by the rebel Patriots. In short time she was back in Pepperell sending an alert out to other women within that network now committed to active rebellion. The women quickly reacted. It was decided to stop the Tory spies at Jewett’s Bridge, present location of the covered bridge. They gathered together armaments available, probably not guns because those weapons had gone with the men; but farm tools can be threatening weapons.

Then they waited at the bridge, into the night, shielding the lantern, totally silent until two horsemen approached from the north. Taking advantage of surprise Prudence burst upon them with lantern bright demanding to know their identity and business. Her brother Samuel knew the depth of his sister’s commitment to the cause and immediately turned tail avoiding possible fatal injury. Benjamin Whiting pushed forward, believing he couldn’t be stopped by a bunch of women. He was wrong of course. Both were dragged off their mounts and searched. Dispatches intended for the British were found. The men were escorted to Solomon Roger’s tavern. There, the prisoners were detained for the rest of night before being taken to Groton and the Committee of Safety in the morning.

This covered bridge, located at 24 Groton Street in Pepperell, MA is now a historical memorial site with a write-up. 

Worth the visit!