Welcome to Tales of The Southern Conserve
To Appleton, 1920
Franklin Wilder’s mid-terms at Cornell had come to an end. His first half term was proven a success. It was driven by his passion and love of his chosen major of architecture. He was now ready for his week off and his trip to Appleton Farms in upstate New York. It was to be the scene of a weeklong house party and hunt.
Tunnels
In the 600 block of West 34th street stands a grand Greek Revival home. It has seven bedrooms, four baths and servants’ quarters for three. It is located around the corner from the Bull Street Library. Like the Library, it was built in 1922 and emulated its grand Gothic Revival style and Doric columns.
The home was a wedding gift from Brady Portman to his daughter Amanda and her new husband, Thomas Wilder. Thomas was the twin brother of Addy’s Great Uncle Franklin Wilder.
Halloween 1907
“No one will ever know!”
So thought high school senior, Jasper Collins.
Jasper was Franklin Wilder’s first cousin. He was a strapping young man with fine bearing and rakishly good looks. He was a Senior at the new Benedictine Military College on Bull Street. He juggled two girlfriends. Fortunately, both of their names were Mary Elizabeth.
Cooper
It is a bit old fashioned.
The Wilder’s home on Maupas Avenue had a sleeping porch. It ran the back length of the upstairs. It was positioned to capture the northern nightly breeze. The house had been updated and insulated so that the air conditioning would run more efficiently. However, on occasion the family would take advantage of the balmy nights of late September and sleep on the porch.
The Homefront
World War II brides put their soldiers on trains.
They cried. They said prayers. They gave them passionate kisses. They donned brave smiles and waved until their husbands were out of view.
Rebecca was no exception. She and Franklin “Doc” Wilder had only been married three days. Their plans and dreams were put on hold.
“I double dog dare you!”
Addy Wilder’s backyard had a Meyers Lemon tree. It was planted in 1915 when the house was built.
To say it produced in abundance was an understatement. The lemons were massive in size. They were almost 3 to 4 times the size of those you would find down the street at Smith Brothers Grocery.
Geila
The Wilders’ timed their New York Holiday to coincide with a performance by Addy’s childhood friend, Gelia.
Since the day Addy met the sweet, shy and sad little girl, who sat all alone on the swing set in Baldwin Park, they had become immediate and lifelong friends. From that day forward, the girls developed a bond of sisterhood.
Harris Wilder
As Addy and her parents continued their visit to New York, they took a tour that brought them to the stylish Gramercy Park area.
The magnificent houses and park reminded her of Savannah. However, she was intrigued by the fact the Park itself was under lock and key.
As the family approached #2 Gramcery Park West. Mr. Wilder pointed out that is where his Great Uncle Harris Wilder had lived. Addy had never heard of him before now. So, her father started telling her his story.
Clara’s Secret
Clara Wilder had been caught red handed, or should we say “red chined”? It was by her daughter, Addison.
“Addison Clara Wilder, delete that photo, now!” Addison just laughed. She had photographic evidence of her mother’s secret.
Now, the secret was not something terrible, but amusing.
New York August 2011
When Addy turned 16, her parents took her to on her on her first trip to Manhattan. It was the beginning of August and the temperatures in New York were rivaling those in Savannah. A heatwave had set in for the Big Apple and was not losing its grip. However, it did not daunt her spirits and she was determined to arrive fresh and collected.
She packed a very light wardrobe of linen, silk and cotton. Addy was judicious in her choices and could convert each item from daytime to evening by the accessories she brought along.
Doc & “Miss Becky”
“What do you mean she’s not here? We have a date!”
Let’s back our story up.
Addy’s uncle, Dr. Franklin Wilder was laid to rest at Bonaventure Cemetery with full military honors. He reached the age of 101, making him one of the oldest surviving WWII veterans from Savannah.
The Writing Spider and the Web of Fascism
Preston postponed his summer road trip with his cousin and fellow Citadel chum, Clayton.
The reason for the delay was due to respect of a venerated member of Addy’s family and a fellow Citadel graduate. All the members of the Savannah Area Citadel Club were planning to attend.
Addy’s Great Uncle William Wilder had died. He was one of the few remaining Savannah survivors of WWII.
He was 101.
Apple Trees, Violets and Roly Polies
One of Addy’s first memories was of her backyard. She loved exploring.
At the back edge of the property stood an ancient apple tree. The tree had been part of the original landscape plan of her grandfather’s 1915 Design.
The tree was now gnarled from years of weathering the Savannah winds. Several posts help support the aging branches. However, it never failed to produce beautiful Golden Delicious Apples. Her mother would bake them into pies or make them into tea sandwiches.
But It’s So Cold Out!
As Addy, Brandon and their friends were heading to family lake house on the Vernon River for the day, she recalled several of her father's childhood stories. To her they were sweet and ideal.
“But, it’s so cold!”
That is what 4-year-old Grayson Wilder exhorted as he sat on the ice cream maker. There was no electricity at the Wilder’s lake property off Rose Dhu. So, a crank ice cream maker was brought along…
Are You Going To the Fourth?
It was known as “Going to the Fourth.”
Addy’s Great Grandmother, “Miss Fannie” was born on the Fourth of July. She was an only child and adored by her parents. She was sweet, smart, beautiful and had a wonderful mind that would absorb all she saw or experienced. Her father sent her to the Pape School in Savannah to receive the best education. She learned Latin and French as well as mathematics and etiquette.
The Wilder’s Home
The Dark Purple Catawba Crepe Myrtles were beginning to bloom into glory around the Wilder’s home.
When Addy’s great-grandparents built the Arts and Crafts house in 1915, they were planted to compliment the rich grey, green and deep sand colors of their Baldwin Park house. The Wilder family had now occupied the home for four generations. It retained the same colors palate each time it was painted.
New Friends, a Puppy Named Jasper, and Tomato Pie
The Baldwin Park playground was just a half a block away from Addy Wilder’s house. Her mother could watch her play there from her kitchen window.
Years ago, on a warm June day, Addy went to the park as usual. She was dressed in short overalls.
Miss Anne
“Miss Anne! What are you doing?” She gave Preston a look that showed she was in a perfect frame of mind.
She was 82 and a neighborhood “momma” to all the children in Baldwin Park. She had known Preston since he was an infant. She also had known his mother since she was a baby as well.
Blue Crabs
“Morning, Preston. Time to get up.”
Fortunately, his cousin Richard had a steaming cup of coffee for him when he approached.
“What time is it? It isn’t daylight.” Richard replied, “High Tide is in an hour!”
Janice R.
Portsmouth, RI
“I use the Tomato Conserve on EVERYTHING!" I've been known to eat it right out of the bottle.”
Linda B.
Savannah, GA
“I used the recipe I got for the Bloody Mary Mix using the Tomato Conserve. It was a wonderful surprise and a great taste.”
Tom L.
Seattle, WA
“The Pepper Jelly is now a must on my charcuterie boards. My guests love it.”
Ellis P.
Savannah, GA
“I ordered Lemon and Vidalia Onion Flounder dinners from Joe's at the Jepson while they were making deliveries during the pandemic. I was so glad to see that they bottled the dressing that can be used as a marinade for this dish.”