Folklore: the Ghosts of Trakai Castle: Stories of the Castle Watchman

by Galina Bogdel Stories of the Castle Watchman I WAS BORN AND GREW UP IN an old Karaite house which had been bought and repaired by my father. The house stood between the lakes Totoriškiu and Galve opposite Trakai Castle. Later on, the local authorities tore down the house and …

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Some Lithuanian Favorites

LET’S COOK LITHUANIAN Lithuanians have some favorite dishes Lm they have been enjoying for centuries. They still prepare them the same old- fashioned way their grandparents and great-grandparents used to prepare long time ago. Here in America many of us are either not familiar with some of these dishes, or …

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Our Lithuanian Roots: for Genealogy Legwork, You Need Legs (Lggs)

By Tom Gregg (Grigonis) Not all professional foot – ball players are motivated outside of athletics. But as the 2001 National Football League season wound down, Joe Jurevicius had not just one big offseason plan but two. First, he would return to college to complete studies for his Fiuman Development …

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Imperial Dessert

NAPOLEON TORTE Napoleonas Napoleon torte has been a favorite des­sert on the Lithuanian festive table for ages.  It is served during the most im­portant holidays and celebrations, as well as on informal occasions.  Legend says that the recipe was brought to Lithua­nia by Napoleon’s own chef during the Emperor’s 1812 …

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Our Immigrant Heritage: the Truth About ‘The Jungle’

BY TOM GREGG Social reform er/novelist Upton Sinclair averaged a book a year over his ninety-year life. But none matched the impact of his disturbing and controversial 1905 blockbuster about Lithuanian im m igrants in Chicago. HE WOULD HAVE BEEN JUDGED a failure at most jobs. Yes, on the one …

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A dumpling by any name…

LET’S COOK LITHUANIAN with Dana Siliūnas While in English any dumpling is a dumpling, in Lithuanian dumplings have many names, depending on their shape, size, or ingredients. But no matter what you call them – “kleckai, koldūnai, varškėčiai, or virtiniai” – they are all delicious. BAKED POTATO DUMPLINGS Kepti bulvių …

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Lithuanian History Highlights: the Bajorai of Lithuania Then and Now, First of Two Parts

By K. Paul Žygas WHE THE BAJORAI ESTABLISHED A SOCIETY IN VILNIUS several years ago, the announcement was generally met with a fair measure of genuine surprise. Most everyone believed that, given the long record of assimilation, waves of deportation, and the generations lost through war, the bajorai had become …

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Traditional dishes for your Kūčios table

LET’S COOK LITHUANIAN with Dana Siliūnas Traditionally the Lithuanian Christmas Eve — or Kūčios — dinner table has 12 dishes, all of which are meatless. Fish, vegetables, and fruits predominate. BEET SOUP WITH   “LITTLE  EARS” Burokėlių  sriuba su  ausikėmis 1  carrot,  sliced 1  rib o f celery,  sliced 1  onion,  …

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Profiles: a Noble Prize Winner’s Views On Lithuania

BY ALBERT CIZAUSKAS One of the greatest poets o f our time — who regards his boyhood home as the center of his world, and Vilnius as the most astonishing city — reveals some private thoughts about his heritage and the land o f his ancestors. The famous Polish poet …

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Very berry nice

LET’S COOK LITHUANIAN with Dana Siliūnas Cranberries have always been popular in Lithuania in autumn. The shinny little red berries are not only attractive, they are suited for many delicious recipes.  If frozen, they can be kept up to one year. CRANBERRY  SALAD Spanguolių  mišrainė 1 pkg. fresh cranberries 4 …

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