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--> --> Dinner with the Roosevelts By Jeff Cheek They were an odd pair. Born to wealth, they spent their lives battling for the poor. They were from a socially prominent family but chose most of their friends from the lower classes. They were Democrats, not Republicans. They resided in the White House longer than any First Family. An amazing couple, Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt. Never again will we see a partnership like theirs. He was the head, she the eyes, ears, and legs of this political hybrid. His life started out normally. Born on January 30, 1882 to shipping magnate James and Sara Delano Roosevelt at the family estate of Hyde Park. Graduated from Harvard in 1904. Admitted to the bar in 1907. A conventional, socially acceptable wedding to his fifth cousin, Eleanor Roosevelt, on March 17, 1905. Her uncle, Republican President Theodore Roosevelt, gave the bride away. Except for the heresy of being a Democrat, FDR's political career was routine. Elected State Senator in 1910. Assistant Secretary of the Navy during World War I, and unsuccessful Vice Presidential candidate in 1920. Everything changed August 10, 1921. Roosevelt contracted polio. He recovered, but his legs were dead. Eventually, with massive steel braces, he could hobble a few steps but essentially he was wheelchair bound. Over his mother's objections, he chose to continue in politics. It was a decisive moment for Eleanor. She was shy, awkward, and insecure. She was a wife and mother of five. But her husband needed her. She attended political rallies to represent him, and overcame her terror enough to make speeches. She kept his name alive to the voters and kept him briefed on issues. By 1928, he had recovered enough to be elected Governor of New York, and President four years later. The country was paralyzed by the Great Depression. An advisor said that if he solved the nation's problems, he would be remembered as the greatest president. "If I don't solve the, I'll be the last president," FDR said soberly. He took office on March 4, 1933. His first words were, "We had nothing to fear but fear itself...This nation asks for action, and action now." Eleanor and the children attended the Inaugural Ball. FDR spent the night in the Oval Office, calling Congress back into a Special Session. A lethargic nation took notice and began to believe in itself again. When asked why he was running for a fourth term in 1944, Roosevelt replied, "So I can fire Mrs. Nesbitt." She was the housekeeper. She decried overfeeding. FDR once sent his wife a humorous note asking for more food. "I was so hungry that I bit two foreign diplomats this morning." When we got into World War II, Eleanor set up a special kitchen on the third floor, where FDR could eat whenever he found time from his arduous duties as Commander in Chief. One of his favorite dishes was Martha Washington Crab Soup. INGREDIENTS: 1 1/2 pounds crab meat 1 quart milk 2 tablespoons butter 2 hard-boiled eggs 1 tablespoon flour Grated lemon peel 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1/2 cup sherry PREPARATION: In top of double boiler, melt butter, add flour, and crumbled eggs and lemon peel. Slowly pour in milk. Stir until it thickens, and add crab meat. Simmer five minutes. Just before serving, stir in sherry. Warm again, dust with paprika and serve. Jeff Cheek lives in Medford Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing