Sylvia ponders: The Last of the Typewriter?

Nah. The interweb has been a buzz about this lately. A typewriting factory closed in India and a bunch of the News groups jumped on the story and said it was the last typewriting factory still making typewriters. Not true. I remember just last year a story about a shop in New York that repairs old machines and supplies all types of ribbons for the old models. Being a collector I actually have two manual typewriters. One of which I used to type all my letters on. As former missionary we were required to write home at least once a week. Typing it made it so much easier. I’m sure it
also made reading my writing much easier, because my handwriting has always been a tad messy. So never fear you true typists, the old machines are still out there and you can still find parts and ribbons for most of them. Just do a quick search on your computer and you can find them. My search brought up the closest shop in Redmond Washington.

Hartman Office Equipment, 2553-A 152nd Ave. NE, Redmond, WA
98052. A customer reports that “they have a display of antique typewriters on display, several Blickenderfers and some others.” They give free estimates.

With a quick search there are even some fun shops in Oregon that look like they would be fun to explore and shop.

Ace Typewriter – 7433 N. Lombard, Portland, OR 97203.
“This father-and-son operated shop specializes in manual typewriters, has a number of beautiful classic machines for sale, and would love to have your business. Definitely worth the short drive to St. Johns.”

Bill Morrison Co., 12227 SE Stark, Portland, OR, 97266,
“We have a small collection of antique typewriters, and we repair and service all types of typewriters from antiques to electronics, including manuals. We also sell and service typewriters, printers, fax machines and computers, and also sell supplies for them.”

Blue Moon Camera and Machine, 8417 North Lombard Street,
Portland, OR 97203. Web site: www.bluemooncamera.com.
A customer writes, “The shop has a young, knowledgeable staff who wear their love for antique typewriters on their sleeves.”

Manual typewriters perfect for poets, writers, and those of us who love to live in the past.

Vintage Good Housekeeping Encyclopedic Cookbooks!

A couple of weekend ago the Italian and I went to the annual Friends of the Library book sale and I picked up a sweet set of books to add to my vintage cookbook collection. The Italian found them for me. We will be featuring some of these recipes this year. They are a set of three volumes. These books have some amazing illustrations and some really great ideas. I love the definition sections explaining everything from MSG to the preferred measurements for butter. Great ideas from cocktail parties to potlucks, breads to barbeques.
What a great find!

Chicken A’La Queen!

2 tbsps. butter or margarine
1/4 cup slivered almonds
1/4 cup butter or margarine
2 tbsps. flour
speck of pepper
1 1/2 tsps salt
Dash of paprika
2 cups light cream
1 egg yolk, beaten
2 cups cooked or canned chicken
1 1/4 4oz can pineapple tidbits, drained
Toast slices, chow-mein noodles, or mashed sweet potatoes

In 2 tbsps butter in skillet, saute almonds until light golden brown; set aside.  Then, in double boiler, melt 1/4 cup butter; add flour, pepper, salt, paprika, stirring until blended and smooth.  Slowly add cream, stirring constantly. Then pour small amount of sauce over egg yolk; return yolk mixture to remaining sauce, continuing to stir until smooth and thickened.  Add chicken, pineapple.  Pour over toast; top with reserved almonds.  Makes 6 servings.
Half ‘n’ Half: Substitute cut-up-ready-to-eat ham for 1 cup of chicken.  If desired, use chopped walnuts or pecans in place of slivered almonds.