The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher/Owner
Ellen May of Lomax has a wonderful way of producing good things from her kitchen.
From her delicious rolls and breads, which are taken regularly to her sister's job in Burlington, Iowa, to her 40 fruit and soft pies she baked weekly for the Stronghurst Farmers Market, she always seems to have someone ordering her freshly baked wares.
At Halloween, however, another treat of Ellen's has become a favorite around the community.
Her homemade caramel popcorn balls attracts all ages. She has made over 500 for parents wanting a dozen and Saturday, handed out 130 on Lomax Trick & Treat night running out in the first hour.
"I hand out Hershey candy for young ones who don't always like popcorn balls. Mostly it is their parents standing in the wings waiting for one. Some kids ask for one for their family, too."
Ellen has been making popcorn balls for 10 years. People start ordering the second week of October.
"I can make 8 to 10 batches in three hours and usually quit when my arm wears out," she said.
"I use a cup of sorghum, a cup of butter, a cup of evaporated milk and 2 cups of sugar.
"The recipe isn't a secret, the art is always experience," Ellen said.
Ellen says it is important to use good sorghum which she gets at Weirs (Bunker Hill, IL).
"A 32 oz. jar makes four batches of 14 to 15 popcorn balls. I've tried others and they aren't as good."
Ellen also says it has to be cool, below 70 degrees, or they won't stick together.
And don't forget to weed out the popcorn hulls that didn't pop before pouring on the caramel.
"I'll make them all the way to Christmas if I still have the sorghum."
Ellen has a great system going as you watch her in action. Three large bowls, a large 5 gallon jar of popcorn, (Wal-Mart variety or bought from the scouts and school fundraisers), a large saucepan, a wood spoon, and a hot air popcorn popper.
No salt was in sight. As the caramel mixture was starting to heat up to a boil, Ellen put a scoop of popcorn into the hot air popper. Then she returns to an already popped batch that had been stirred with the caramel mixture and begins forming balls and placing them into plastic sandwich bags. She stops only to stir the next batch of delicious caramel and to contain the popcorn that was popping into the bowl and some hitting the side and falling onto the floor.
"It's usually my granddaughter's job to sweep up the stray popcorn that misses the bowl," she said.
It is amazing to watch her keep everything in motion, and that she uses no salt or oil with the popcorn.
As she quickly stirred the caramel as it boiled, she said, "I used to drop it into a cup of cold water until it formed a ball, but that took too much time. Instead, I just eyeball it, then I pour it on, and it works."
For Ellen's mom and dad, or little granddaughter who don't like eating it in a ball, Ellen puts the caramel corn in a gallon Zip Lock bag so it is easier for them to eat.
"People do order it that way. The popcorn balls will stay fresh for a week."
Ellen, daughter of Clyde and Verda Gittings of Lomax, is from a large family of 5 sisters and 3 brothers and another brother who died of pneumonia at 5 months. She grew up learning to preserve the food they raised and cooking and baking for the family.
"I've been cooking since I was 14," Ellen said. "I watched my Grandma (Pearl Scott) and it always amazed me how she could mix things up and never measure."
Grandma Pearl Scott died in 1968, 37 years ago, and Ellen is proud to be representing her and telling about her life at the upcoming Cemetery Walk at Crane Cemetery this month.
"Grandma would always call us and say, "I'm making pies today. What kind do you want?' She would make 10 pies because everyone had their favorites. She was always making food and taking it to people. If they were sick she would make soup and a pie. She didn't have a car so she walked every place with her gifts.
Ellen watched her with awe and always wanted to make pies like Grandma Pearl.
"When I got the pie dough wrapped around the rolling pin, I just quit." Then about 5 years ago I decided to start trying again. People say, "You've come the closest to making pies like Grandma Pearls than anyone.
"When you are a kid, you don't pay attention a lot, and she's not down the road to watch, but practice makes perfect."
"Mom cooked but Grandma baked, but after Grandma passed away, mom started to bake pies. She showed me but I didn't get into it until after my kids were grown."
Ellen and husband Randy have two married children Michael and his wife Kim in Burlington, IA with 2 children and daughter Deanna Hartrick and husband Dean of Dallas City with three children and another on the way.
Ellen loved watching her grandmother in the kitchen, and now her granddaughter is no different.
"I babysit my grandchildren through the day, and Marah, 2 1/2, gets her apron and has her own little rolling pin and she imitates everything I do. If I throw a towel over my shoulder, Marah puts a towel on her shoulder. She watches me."
All her grandchildren love to be in the kitchen, Kolby 3, Cale 6 1/2, Zoey 9, and Dylan 9.
Ellen also credits Mrs. Mary Pearson, Home Economics Class at Stronghurst High School. I took 6 years of classes and she taught me how to cook everything from scratch. She was a big inspiration. I learned to make homemade cinnamon rolls.
"People tell me I don't charge enough, but I don't do it for the dollars, I do it because I enjoy giving out to people. I'm a big one for giving. I know if you give it will always come back. My sister takes my rolls, pies and bread to Champion and they flood me with orders for pies and breads. The next couple of weeks will be busy but then will slow down after Christmas."
Ellen also drives the school bus for Dallas City which includes trips for girls activities of 10-12 year olds.
"I love that," she said.
She's also an active member of the Lomax Christian Church.
Come to the Crane Cemetery Walk this Saturday, November 5th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and see Ellen May bring back the spirit of her Grandma Pearl Scott. (rain date Sunday).
You are sure to see her image in Ellen quite well.
Ellen (Gittings) May, of Lomax, is busy Saturday morning making dozens of delicious popcorn balls for the evening trick and treaters.
Experience tells Ellen when the Caramel is at the right stage to pour.