Traverse City Record-Eagle

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January 13, 2008

Ed Hungness: Gather for a fireside chat

By ED HUNGNESS

We had some friends drop by our cottage several weeks ago before we went to a Friday night fish fry.

Before they arrived, we prepared a few snacks and got out the makings for a little liquid refreshment. It was freezing cold outside and a fire in the fireplace was a must.

I trudged out to gather dry wood from our supply in the garage. By the time company arrived, the fire was crackling as it provided a warm, inviting atmosphere for our snacks and conversation.

In colder regions of the world, the fireplace was traditionally the center of the home. In the past, survival might have been dependent on warmth from the fireplace as the only heat source in the home. In those days, cooking stoves were not a common feature in the average kitchen and family meals were cooked over an open hearth.

Can you imagine trying to cook a meal stooped over with your head nearly poked into the fireplace? We've come a long way from fireplace-cooked meals to our now-common use of the microwave oven.

People gathered around the fireplace primarily to stay warm from the direct heat of the flames. During cold spells, it was kept ablaze day and night, consuming huge quantities of firewood. An interesting side benefit was that while they were huddled together, they would talk to each other and share their thoughts.

The children would tell their parents about what happened at school that day or how good the skating was on the pond. Dad recapped his workday in the barn, reporting how the cows were doing and whether there would be an early spring. Mom announced the upcoming church potluck supper and the latest news from her quilting group.

Yes, the fireplace was not just a source of warmth, but a place where families gathered together to play and share conversation. During the Great Depression, President Roosevelt held his weekly radio address, called "fireside chats," to keep the country informed about matters of national importance and to lift the spirits of the people during those difficult times.

Today, most of us don't use a fireplace for cooking, except for an occasional s'more or roasted marshmallows and hot dogs. Likewise, most of us have either gas, oil or electric services that we rely on to keep our homes warm and comfortable. We sometimes complain about the bill when it arrives, but deep down we are grateful for the convenience we can count on to fight the cold and make the winters here more tolerable.

Many homes still include a fireplace in their design even though we don't really need them for our daily existence. The fireplace will always be a gathering place and a symbol of home and hearth.

It is a place to relax, read, reflect and entertain friends ... and it's still a great place to visit with family and have a fireside chat.

Reach Ed Hungness at edhungness@yahoo.com or care of the Record-Eagle.

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