vHUFFS continued from page 20
now embracing new gastronomical experiences.
The Huffs find that people of all backgrounds enjoy ethnic foods,
and they combine a variety of tastes and cultures in their own cooking.
During past meals, Steve has talked about the Greek and Jewish
neighborhoods, stores and restaurants while he was growing up in
Sioux City. Those ethnic groups still remain strong, but they have been
joined in recent years by an influx of Hispanic and Asian cultures and
cuisines, he said.
The local food scene reflects those demographics, he said,
particularly from Asia. He noted a growing presence of Thai,
Vietnamese and Chinese establishments catering not only to those
ethnic groups.
In addition, the Sioux City area has seen a growing interest in vegan
and vegetarian diets, also reflected by supermarkets and restaurants.
Those types of ethnic and specialty stores and restaurants have been
common in large cities for generations. However, Steve sees those
diverse offerings finding their way into rural areas often associated
mainly with meat and potatoes.
“Would these types of foods have been as popular 20 years ago in
a lot of our immediate area? Maybe not,” he said. “But I think you’re
going to see more and more of it. People are looking for something
different, and they like what they’re finding.” n
The Gown
vBy Jennifer Robson
vReviewed by Lizz Nedved, Yankton Community Library
As the weather warms, we gradually move into wedding season. Brides
focus on venues, flowers, and of course the dress. How will it look? What will
people think? Just as we have seen with Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton,
no one is under more scrutiny that a royal bride.
For Queen Elizabeth’s wedding there was much speculation on the gown
and the dress designer, Norman Hartnell. However, little has been shared
about the women who created it. Jennifer Robson’s novel The Gown takes a
different spin on Queen Elizabeth’s wedding dress, by sharing the fictional
stories of the women who created the dress and the struggles of life in war
torn England.
As someone who does not read historical fiction, this book was suggested
to me by my grandmother and mother who had both read it--all within the
3-week checkout period! Much like the generations in my family that read
the book, this story spans over 70 years. The narrative switches between three
protagonists: Ann Hughes, a young embroiderer; Miriam Dassin, a French
Holocaust survivor; and Ann’s granddaughter, Heather.
The story begins in 2016, with the death of Heather’s beloved
grandmother, Nan. After the funeral, Heather inherits a mysterious box of
exquisitely embroidered, pearl-encrusted flowers. After being laid off at work,
Heather uses this time to embark on a quest to discover the story of the pearlencrusted flowers and her grandmother’s past.
In post-World War II London, where items are rationed and the lines
between the classes are clearly defined, Heather’s grandmother, Ann Hughes
works as an embroiderer for the high-end dressmaker, Norman Hartnell.
Ann befriends her co-worker, Miriam Dassin. Miriam, also an embroider at
Normal Hartnell, immigrated from France. Miriam struggles daily with life after
the Holocaust, the loss of her family, and the guilt of surviving. She turns to
embroidery and journalist, Walter Kaczmarek, for support. Together Miriam
and Ann help create the famous Hartnell gown. Everything seems to be falling
into place when Ann meets the wealthy Jeremy Brackett-Milne but just like all
employees at Norman Hartnell, Ann must be wary of spies who seek to publish
the designer’s secrets before the wedding.
The Gown is a great depiction of life in England after WWII and how
Queen Elizabeth’s wedding gave the nation something to celebrate. As for Ann
and Miriam, their lives are woven together by pain, friendship, and love that
time and distance cannot break. Jennifer Robson has also written the novel
Goodnight from London. Both books are available for check out at the Yankton
Community Library. n
HERVOICEvMARCH/APRIL 2019v25