Rene Shanle-Hutzell talks about Stout Grove for a promotional video designed to attract more visitors to the area. Submitted

This majestic grove of redwoods is the number-one tourist attraction in this area, according to Bob Berkowitz of the Crescent City/Del Norte County Visitors Bureau. 

“When most local hotel managers are asked what the most frequently asked question is by visitors to our area,” said Berkowitz, “the answer was that they wanted directions to Stout Grove.”

I want to commend the men from the Smith River Fire Department for being so kind, nice and caring. I fell and couldn’t get up since I have one leg and a prosthesis. I called 911 and the men came right out and helped me.

I can’t thank them enough.

Pelican Bay Evangelical Free Church, 160 Blueberry Lane, is accepting shoeboxes filled with toys and other items as part of the   Operation Christmas Child program, an international effort to provide supplies to kids ages 2–14 around the globe.

Shoeboxes can be filled with such things as toys, school supplies, hygiene items and clothing such as T-shirts and socks.  Shoeboxes can be dropped off at the church through Saturday from 10 a.m.–1 p.m.; Nov. 20 from 2–4 p.m.; and Nov. 21 from 9–10 a.m.

For more information call George at (541) 957-5555 or Judy at 951-2171.

This bread is almost like magic. It involves creating a more hydrated dough with minimal yeast and letting time do all the work. It’s homey, rustic and comforting. 

I have taught at least 100 people who said they couldn’t bake bread how to make no-knead bread and they are always amazed at how good it turns out.

A few years back I decided that it was silly of me to tackle all kinds of other cooking and baking subjects and still not be able to make rustic-style breads that I loved. While surfing the Internet for tips and ideas I came across an article in the New York Times about no-knead bread. After watching the video I gave it a try.

FROM LEFT: Michelle Morgante, Anne Boulley and Michele Thomas get ready to cut their cranberry breads for the competition Nov. 4. Del Norte Triplicate/Rick Postal

Triplicate Publisher Michele Thomas challenged professional chefs Morgante and Anne Boulley, who is also a Triplicate columnist, to bake bread using fresh cranberries from Bouncing Berry Farms in Bandon, Ore., that is owned by the local Webb family.

Morgante won both the judges’ and people’s choice for best cranberry bread.

During the event, $453 was raised for the Community Thanksgiving Dinner on Nov. 24.

Alejandra Lizbeth Ortega was born Oct. 21, 2011, at Sutter Coast Hospital. She weighed 6 pounds, 9.4 ounces and measured 191⁄2 inches. Her parents are Jorge and Miriam Ortega of Smith River. Her grandparents are Martha Gonzalez and Nicolas Ramirez of Smith River, and Margarita Campos Ortega and Fausto Ortega Chavez of Guadalajara, Mexico.

The public is often confused about the relationship between our local Humane Society and the county dog pound (Del Norte County Ag. Dept.) They are totally separate organizations, but work together.

The Humane Society of Del Norte is an all-volunteer, non-profit with no paid employees and no government funding. The county pound is a government department with paid employees, trucks and a dog shelter.

Our local Humane Society volunteers work very hard every day to better the lives of the dogs at the pound because the county doesn’t have the funds, time or workers to do what needs to be done. We also want to ensure dogs don’t suffer or get put down needlessly.