The Cracker Trail Dutch Oven Chapter of IDOS welcomes all guests and potential members to our DOGs! For a copy of our newsletter, just email stewgaylord@earthlink.net for a copy. We can also be found on Facebook under groups or use your search engine and type in "Cracker Trail Dutch Oven" and we will usually come up. Look forward to seeing you!
At all DOGs we hope to start arriving around noon or as soon as you get there--please time your entree to be done by 4PM-regardless of when you get started cooking.
March 11 – Walk-in-the-Water Preserve – St. Patricks “Paddy” theme Again, this area offers camping, so some will be there on Saturday—the camping fee is $10/night and the day rate is $2/person (note this is a primitive camping area—no power, no water--port-a-jons).
April 22 – Windy Point Park (Lake Placid) – Earth Day DOG - Citrus theme (one dish has to be made using some form of citrus fruit)
Mile High DOG – July 28 up in Balsam Mountain, North Carolina For info on the "Mile High" DOG – contact Dave Colman for info on the primitive camp area – http://www.campmilehigh.com/ – no electric, there is water and bathhouse.
October 14 – Larry Hooper Memorial DOG & Business Meeting (Camp Wingman-Avon Park)
Cracker Trail Spring DOG - 2011
Cracker Trail Dutch Oven Society
Spring DOG - 2011 at
Walk-In-The-Water Preserve in Polk County, FL
The Cracker Trail crew had their "Spring" DOG on Sunday, March 13th. Though very cold in the mornings (for Florida) those that camped the weekend were greeted with 32 degrees in the morning, but it quickly made it up to the mid 80's, with a high around 90 degrees.
We were set up in a Oak Hammock in South Central Florida, having a beautiful day of bright sun and slight breeze. Though a few of our "regular" attendees could not make it for various reasons, we had a good turn out, plus a number of guests--including a couple staying the winter down in Okeechobee (from Cleveland, Ohio) who are active DO cooks and came to cook with us here.
This DOG had no "theme", but this close to St. Patrick's Day, we did have some that cooked "Irish".
A great time was had by all. Posted below are some pictures from our newsletter. If you would like to receive the whole newsletter, recipes and all, email my @ stewgaylord@earthlink.net .
Our "HOT" DOG date has been moved to May 7 and will be held in Lake Placid at the Windy Point Park and Boat Ramp.
Check the following photo pages for information about our "Cold Weather" DOG held at Hardee Lakes County Park. Email stewgaylord@earthlink.net for a complete copy of our newsletter, including recipes and pictures of what was prepared!
Holiday DOG-November 2010
The Cracker Trail Dutch Oven Society had their annual "Holiday DOG at Lake Kissimmee State Park East of Lake Wales Florida.
Though a few of our members had to leave that weekend to travel out-of-state to be with family for Thanksgiving week, we still had a good sized group to cook. We also had a number of visitors that we encouraged to join us for the feast--and we still had left overs.
We had some fantastic main course items. Dave demonstrated using two deep dutch ovens (one used as a lid) to cook a standing rib roast! Norm fixed pork roast and apples, while Butch fixed a "mini-turkey" with stuffing. Debbie fixed a pork loin with cherry-almond glaze, Marty fixed a "Wassail" ham and Stew fixed sausage with cranberries.
Goodies just kept coming with peachy candied sweet potatoes, sweet potatoes with pecans, potatoes au gratin, roasted green beans, baked cranberry sauce, Brussels sprouts with pancetta, roasted carrots and various dressings.
Then the fun part--dessert! Celia fixed an incredible apple upside-down tart, Debbie fixed mincemeat and sweet potato pies and Lynda fixed a delightful pear upside-down cake.
It is a really fun bunch, so a great time was had by all!
It is a really fun bunch, so a great time was had by all!
If this looks like the sort of thing you may enjoy, contact us. We cover South Central Florida, but we have members that come to cook with us from Merritt Island, Ft. Lauderdale, Sarasota, Tallahassee, Tampa, Orlando and other locations outside of our charter area--you are welcome!
Whether you are an experienced "black pot" cook or just want to learn, contact us for more information on our group and when we will be having our next gathering. Young families to "snowbirds" are welcome!
October 2010 Fall "Larry Hooper Memorial DOG"
We start our Dutch oven season with our Fall DOG. Again, this year is was held in Avon Park--we had a lovely day in the low 80's and full sunshine.
We had a good turnout and some incredible entree's. After our late afternoon feast, we had a short business meeting. Our past Chapter Director turned over the gavel to Dave Colman-our new Chapter Director. Norm Church was asked to remain as Assistant Chapter Director and he accepted. Stew Gaylord was asked to keep his position as secretary and newsletter editor. We then went on to complete our year's schedule of DOGs (Dutch Oven Gatherings).
Our next DOG will be held at the picnic are of Lake Kissimmee State Park on November 21. As usual we will try to arrive starting about noon (or as soon as you can get there from church), cooking times are to be complete by 4:00PM. Visitors are welcome.
Now pictures of our Fall DOG. . . .
Our Christmas "Holiday" DOG at Lake Kissimmee State Park
Our Christmas "Holiday" DOG was held on November 22 at Lake Kissimmee State Park (East of Lake Wales, FL). Several of our members decided to camp there that weekend, so those camping also cooked DO during the stay, making each meal a "potluck" meal. We had a wonderful, sunny, warm campout--Temperatures were in the high 70's to mid-80's.
Sunday, after church services, we started gathering at the park's picnic grounds where we had a pavillion reserved. We had a large turnout, with some driving as far as from Lauderdale and Merritt Island to cook with us. We acquired 3 new members at this DOG, as well.
People started arriving about noon and later. When they arrived, they promptly started getting set up and started cooking - when the coals were hot and the food prepped, we were able to settle down to socialize as the Dutch ovens did their job.
As foods were finishing, several members pulled Thanksgiving themed table cloths out, and holiday decorations for the tables--making it even more festive. Our foods were laid out, a blessing said and our large group of members and guests proceeded to enjoy the fruits of our labors.
I have pictures posted, if any would like recipes, I can email you our newsletter--just email me - stewgaylord@earthlink.net .
Sunday, after church services, we started gathering at the park's picnic grounds where we had a pavillion reserved. We had a large turnout, with some driving as far as from Lauderdale and Merritt Island to cook with us. We acquired 3 new members at this DOG, as well.
People started arriving about noon and later. When they arrived, they promptly started getting set up and started cooking - when the coals were hot and the food prepped, we were able to settle down to socialize as the Dutch ovens did their job.
As foods were finishing, several members pulled Thanksgiving themed table cloths out, and holiday decorations for the tables--making it even more festive. Our foods were laid out, a blessing said and our large group of members and guests proceeded to enjoy the fruits of our labors.
I have pictures posted, if any would like recipes, I can email you our newsletter--just email me - stewgaylord@earthlink.net .
Next DOG is in January at Mary Holland Park in Bartow!
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