The Calamity Club

Set during the early 1930s in Oxford, Mississippi, The Calamity Club gave us a glimpse of the struggles during the Great Depression, and the depth (and ingenuity) of the men and women who had to survive on pennies a day. Our discussion was rich as ever with great insights and a few chuckles. Check out the discussion document below.

To honor the theme, our "bake" was Hoover stew (pictured above).  Named after President Herbert Hoover, this iconic Great Depression-era staple was born in the 1930s soup kitchens and makeshift "Hooverville" camps. It was specifically designed to stretch pennies by using cheap, shelf-stable canned goods and a minimum amount of meat to feed large families.  There are many sample recipes online (just ask the Google) and I have to say, it was tasty and filling!