LET'S COOK: Norsk Høstfest + Beach Boys = ‘Fun, Fun, Fun’
By CHARLES REPNOW, Freelance Writer, rep.now@hotmail.comArticle Photos
Pick your favorite: "I Get Around," "Help Me, Rhonda," "Do You Wanna Dance," "Kokomo," "Surfin' USA," "Barbara Ann," "Be True to Your School" and "409." These are just a few of the many bright, high-energy songs from the Beach Boys collection. Last fall the Beach Boys were back in Minot and were the opening feature for the 31st annual Norsk Hstfest. They truly warmed our souls, and now I am counting on their memory to rekindle a bit of warmth in the depth of infinite winter. I was among the many fans who were certainly feeling the "Good Vibrations" as their familiar vocal harmonies filled the stage in the Great Hall of Vikings.
Their stage was ablaze with deep orange and yellows hues and lights that were flashing. The spot lights whirled with motion and excited the crowd as they enjoyed the extraordinary spectrum of this revered group. I recalled the very first time I heard the Beach Boys and how their brightness to the American music scene had impacted my life.
As I have mentioned before, I grew up with four brothers. The oldest of them is Tom.
Tom was a devoted Beach Boys fan from the very start. He had all their records plus his own hi-fi (which he purchased with his Grit paper route money) in his room. We younger boys waited for the chance to enter his room and listen to the cool, exciting Beach Boys. I personally enjoyed looking at the remarkable record covers, and the amazing photographs and story lines both had me beaming.
Tom was, in my eyes, the North Dakota version of a Beach Boy. He was totally into cars, loved cool and fashionable clothes, and when we went swimming, he would talk for hours about all the hot chicks that were at the Riverdale pool. Tom was blessed with blonde wavy hair that many gals found to be appealing. That was helpful when he would say to them, "Do you Wanna Dance?"
When Mom and Dad were at work in the summer, Tom was in charge. We all knew that our parents expected us to do our chores around the house. Since my Mother was the only female in the home, she adopted early on the philosophy that there is no such thing as women's work and men's work ... only work. I admit at times I certainly did not like having to press clothes, mow lawn, paint, or weed the garden just to name a few. I also knew there was no way of getting out of these chores that our parents presented us.
Tom, however, came to the rescue of all us lads when he figured out how to remove his speakers from his stereo and then wire them in a temporary fashion to Mom and Dad's full-size stereo. Picture if you will, this console, complete with Mediterranean accents of our living room. With the connections made, on went the Beach Boy records, down went the needle, and our home was filled with the summer surf songs. All of sudden, we all felt inspired. Soon the chores were being diligently completed. When it came to doing the outdoor tasks, windows were raised high and in went the speakers blasting out the tunes of the Beach Boys. Naturally, we all joined in singing, and happier the group of workers could not be found anywhere.
This went along for some time, and our parents were certainly pleased with our chore performance. Please note that the speakers were always removed and returned to Tom's room well in advance of my parents' return. What "Fun, Fun, Fun" it was to learn all the lyrics to the latest Beach Boys tunes and sing them with great contentment along with my siblings. My parents' laundromat had an outside car wash. It didn't take five guys long to figure out that washing cars or a "Little Deuce Couple" while playing fantastic music would attract some wonderful young female clientele. Let's just say it was our version of high tide North Dakota style.
After a couple of weeks we decided that we should dress alike after all, the Beach Boys were doing it. We wanted a uniform that was impressive, yet inexpensive, and could ride out the soapy waves. Cut off blue jeans rather short, I might add were our choice. Being modest Scandinavians we started out with T-shirts but quickly reasoned we would draw more of a gathering if we went shirtless. I am not saying that we were Hollywood models, but we did attract a pleasurable crowd and "Catch a Wave" or two. Business was going well until my Mom arrived home early from work one day. We knew as our family car, the 1969 baby blue LTD Ford came to a screeching halt, and out zoomed our mother, we were going to be "Shut Down."
We had hopes of suds, shine, girls and Beach Boys "All Summer Long." However our Mom had completely different take on the carwash jackpot. We were all instantly ushered to our home. Once inside, our mom still in her nursing uniform and still calling the shots, discharged on us her sermon on wearing shorts in public. She, at this moment, was short and to the point saying "No one, and I mean no one, has the legs to wear short shorts; they are disgusting!" I am sure in her mind she must have been pondering what were those boys were thinking. She resolved it by saying to herself "God Only Knows." I do believe it was the last time any of us wore short cutoffs and went shirtless to wash the car. At the moment, our mom corrected us, and frustration was looming. However, her wisdom and guidance was revealed down the road.
Last summer, I had visited with Pam Davy, executive director for the Hstfest. She suggested if I wanted to help, I might consider working in the backstage kitchen which serves meals to the performers and their crews. I was quickly contacted by Janie Plummer who has been the benevolent leader for this demanding and impressive kitchen for several years. I really enjoyed my first tour of duty with Janie and her grand assembly of volunteers. We served breakfast, lunch and dinner to the crew and many of the band members of the Beach Boys. It was exciting and busy to say the least. We served more than 100 folks and all of them were polite and appreciative. Our noon lunch included two types of soup, egg salad, tuna salad, and pulled pork sandwiches, along with a panoply of delightful salads and fruits. Desserts were served in the form of cake, and they quickly disappeared. If you listened very closely, one could hear band members saying "You're So Good to Me" as they took the last nibble. Our evening meal presented roasted turkey breast with very tasty trimmings, baked salmon with dill dressing, vegetable lasagna, a salad bar and excellent pecan bars. The tables were set with very attractive with blue tablecloths, candles, napkins and white china.
It was during the serving of these delicious foods that I had the chance to meet Mike Love, who is an original member of Beach Boys. The Wilson brothers, Brian, Carl and Dennis along with their cousin, Mike Love, and a school friend of Brian's, Al Jardine, launched the Pendletones, the original name of the group. Mike Love is credited for christening the group with this title back in 1961. The Pendletones were renamed Beach Boys in the fall of 1961 when they released the single "Surfin'" on the X Records Label. It was done as a promotional move to link the group with other surf bands. Needless to say, "Surfin" was a fine success and the rest is history.
While in seventh grade we were encouraged to purchase paperback books from Scholastic Book Services. While browsing through the catalog, I discovered and purchased a book entitled "Cool Cooking Recipes of Your Favorite Rock Stars" by Roberta Ashley. The Beach Boys were featured in this cookbook, and not being one to ever toss out a cookbook, I quickly rounded up this childhood treasure and took it with me to the Hstfest. To my delight, Mike Love enjoyed looking at the cookbook. He autographed the featured recipe of the Beach Boys in 1972. Our kitchen crew also had the pleasure of having our photo taken with Mike Love and Bruce Johnson, who joined the group in 1965.
It had been 18 years since I had attended the Hstfest. Traditionally, the week of Hstfest is usually school picture week in our studio. With the event being move up one week, I was able to volunteer and enjoy it. This is a great celebration and it brings in throngs of volunteers from Minot and the surrounding area. Without the vision of founder, Chester Reiten, and the parade of dedicated volunteers, this simply would not work. Once again, we are reminded that right in our backyard we have impressive entertainment, an array food and fun, plus the added advantage of honoring, celebrating and passing on to future generations our heritage. I would encourage you to not only attend the notable Hstfest in 2009 but also consider being a volunteer. By doing this, you will promote the spirit of cooperation that benefits many.
Now as I recall the memory of this great concert and the pleasant weather, I am warmed on a cold winter's day. I share with you the recipe for the Powerhouse Sandwich a favorite of the Beach Boys and also a delicious chicken salad recipe given to me by Janie Plummer.
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Powerhouse Sandwich
Fresh avocado, peeled and sliced
Tomato slices
Alfalfa sprouts
Whole wheat bread
Mayonnaise
Slice of cheddar cheese
Sesame seeds
Arrange avocado, tomato slices, alfalfa sprouts on a slice of whole wheat bread spread with mayonnaise. Top with slice of cheese and place under broiler until the cheese is melted. Then sprinkle the sandwich with sesame seeds and add the other slice of bread.
(Recipe from Beach Boys Cool Cooking Cookbook by Roberta Ashley.)
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Curried Chicken Salad with Grapes
1/3 cup Miracle Whip
1/3 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 cup minced onions.
Mix well
1-1/2 cup chicken breast chunks
1/2 cup chopped or sliced thin celery
1/3 cup raisins
Salt and pepper to taste
Stir in dressing and chill at least 2 hours.
1 cup red grapes
1 cup toasted pecan halves
Stir in just before serving.
(Recipe by Janie Plummer.)
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