Jan 2020 exclusive: siren Reporter infiltrates KKK Page 7 inside lincoln park’s new building Page 6 students sound off on flex days Page 3

Read SIREN reporter Trinity Lule’s interview with KKK National Director Thomas Robb in this issue! Cover photo: Taya Jones FALLYN SHOUP: backstage IN THE LIMELIGHT By Managing Editor Erin Brody

Those of us who have done our fair share of Lincoln Park shows, whether it’s teching or performing in them, are familiar with the faces who help out behind the scenes for almost every show.

One of those faces you may know is that of Fallyn Shoup, a junior theatre major from Washington.

Shoup was recently given the opportunity to be the stage manager of The Nutcracker, which Junior theatre major Fallyn Shoup makes her the youngest stage manager in Shoup, who has been assistant stage manager Lincoln Park history! nine times throughout her time here at Lincoln Park, walks us through the moment when she “I’m having an immense amount of fun!” said found out she was the stage manager about a Shoup, concerning her job. “The cast is super week after the cast list was released: fun, super supportive!” “I have a production workshop class backstage, Jennifer Verba, the choreographer of the show, and they told me I needed to be at a meeting says, ”She’s doing wonderful. She knows the with Maria Scheller (the Center’s production drill.” manager) in her office with the other stage managers. “[She deserves to be stage manager] 100 percent. She’s very hardworking and always “They sat me down, and there was a sheet with knows what’s going on backstage,” says Grace all the shows and everything that’s gonna happen Scullion, junior dance major from Carnegie who this year. They just wanted to go through, show was in the show. “She’s doing just as good as an by show, who was stage managing, but they adult would do.” were really excited.”

“As a junior, Fallyn has a maturity that shines “Maria asked me if I wanted to be stage manager through in her interactions with cast and crew, for Nutcracker, and it was really terrifying decision-making, and work ethic,” says Andrew because I’m only a junior.” Allison, a resident stage manager at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center and Shoup’s “mentor” Despite her nerves, Shoup took the offer. through the process. . “I had to say yes because it’s such an opportunity,” “Working with her as a peer was a pleasure,” he she says, “and that’s something you can put on adds. your resume.” 1 The first 2020 installment of Hailey Bartlett and Steviee Geagan’s monthly comic .. . SCHOODLES

and the latest installment of Jordyn Slavic’s monthly comic...

Read more original comics on The SIREN app! 2 Students FLEX ON Flex Days Ceresa Morsaint gets reactions about our new bad-weather policy You wake up on a cold, Monday morning. There This seems like a good thing for us, but how are is over three feet of snow on the ground, and students and teachers reacting? the temperature has dropped below freezing. You forgot to study for a test today, but lucky for Ryan Dulick, a Lincoln Park social studies teach- you, there is no school. You begin to drift back er, says, “I think it’s a good thing. It doesn’t count to sleep until your phone illuminates in the dark. against the school as a snow day, and since we service so many schools, they’re not going to call “Flex Day assignments,” sprawls across your flex days if everyone gets pounded with snow.” screen. Google Classroom has crushed your dreams.

A Flexible Instructional Day (FID) Program is a tool available to schools to be used as an alter- nate approach to delivering instruction if a cir- cumstance arises that prevents instruction in customary manner.

Essentially, Flex Days are snow days with work. History teacher Ryan Dulick Many students are asking why we’ve decided to do this and how it’s going to work for different On a Flex Day, teachers have to create assign- departments. ments for their students to complete within five days. That may be easy for academics teachers, Holly Castelli, dean of academics, says the main but how would a Flex Day assignment be creat- reason for Lincoln Park adopting Flex Days is ed for something like dance? “we don’t want to go any farther into June.” Jennifer Verba, Lincoln Park’s director of dance, Lincoln Park had to apply to the state to get says, via email, “Some assignment examples are permission to have Flex Days. Students were in- watching a YouTube clip on a modern dance pi- formed at grade level meetings, and Mrs. Castelli oneer and answering questions, or reading an says the policy will be in effect immediately. article about a professional ballet company and writing a reflection on the article.” “The first time we do it, there will be some bumps in the road,” she acknowledged, “but we’ll Generally, most teachers seem to like Flex Days. get those ironed out.” The same cannot be said for students.

Flex Days, in the most basic definition, save us Lydia Ubry, a junior musical theatre major from school days at the end of the year. If we miss too New Castle, admits, “Nobody wants to do any- many days beyond the state-mandated 180 days thing on a snow day.” of instruction, it takes away from our summer. (Lincoln Park actually has a 186-day school year.) Flex Days, Con’t on Page 6 3 This past holiday season, I was gifted Nick Horn- by’s Songbook. Songbook is a book of 26 compiled essays in which Hornby reviews and their emotional significance.

One essay in particular, “31 Songs,” lists, like the title suggests, 31 songs that moved Hornby in his young adulthood. Number 13 lists a that Hornby claims one can “only listen to once.”

The song is dubbed “Frankie Teardrop” by the 1970s New York synth-punk band Suicide. The band of two features vocalist and in- strumentalist .

Wishing to prove Hornby wrong, I decided to Every month, SIREN music writer Steviee Geagan review the song myself to determine if it was as surveys the local music scene. gruesome as Hornby described.

A pounding synth drum beat opens the track as Vega’s whisper-sings the opening line: “Frankie This Month’s Artist: Teardrop”. The instrumentals remain minimal, only the nauseating beat of the synth drum, a simple Nick Hornby keyboard riff, and Vega’s vocals.

The narrative follows a poverty-stricken family man who, after losing his factory job, descends into madness. The day of his termination, Frankie returns home to slaughter his family before committing suicide.

After each failure Frankie encounters, like being unable to buy food for his family and being evicted, Vega’s whispery taunt “Frankie, Frankie” seems to build up to something. Something the listener is not aware of.

Until halfway through the eight-minute song, Vega unleashes a beastly, inhuman screech that caused the hair at the nape of my neck to stand on end and goosebumps rise on my arms.

Seconds later, I slammed my laptop shut, cutting Vega’s demonic scream short.

Nick Hornby was incorrect. I did not listen to the song just once. I could not listen to the song even once. New York City proto-punks Suicide (Martin Rev and Alan Vega), whose song Sadly, I was unable to face the music. “Ffrankie Teardrop” is featured in Nick Hornby’s Songbook 4 Deer Posing Danger jordan Horter runs into every driver’s fear -- Deer Collisions the late hours, sometimes ending as late as 10 at night. Many students live far away from the school and have to take rural roads.

Principal Dr. Lindsay Rodgers says, “There is no specific time accidents involving animals could take place. The chance of getting into a wreck with a deer isn’t taken into too much consider- ation when figuring out the schedule because Photo Credit: tpwd.texas.gov you can be at risk of running into a deer at any moment of any day.” Does it seem like you’ve been seeing more deer lately? Turns out, the deer population is on the However, you are more likely to see a deer rise once again. The amount of deer is increasing during dawn and dusk. With the sun setting ear- because the amount of hunters are decreasing. lier after events at the school, it’s a more likely time to get into a wreck. According to the Game Commision on pa.gov, hunting licenses have been on a steady decline Scheduling for shows and sporting events are since 1982. The main reasons for the decline regulated by Lincoln Park Performing Arts Cen- were old age and health reasons. There also isn’t ter, not by teachers or coaches. The permission as much demand for the meat. is given, and students can stay during the event or until after. A survey on The SIREN’s Instagram questioned if anyone was against hunting. Twenty one people “A lot of the time,” says Dr. Rodgers, “we fol- said yes, while 28 said no. low the Cinderella rule,” which states that young drivers cannot be out during the nighttime hours Surprisingly, a main reason why people don’t of 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. hunt isn’t because they disagree with the death of an animal for sport. It’s more due to personal Some students have been in close encounters reasons, like wanting to be closer to nature or with animals, one of them being Fallyn Shoup, a simply for bragging rights. junior theatre major from Washington.

However, the overpopulation of deer brings up She didn’t have a collision with a deer; however, another issue possibly affecting Lincoln Park she ran over a different animal. students: deer collisions. “I think it was a cat,” she says. “A cat, a racoon -- It’s no secret many students stay after school small, but a big enough animal that could cause for rehearsals, sports practice, and other school your car [to go off kilter].” related events. Many of these tend to run into 5 inside lincoln park’s New Building Managing Editor Erin Brody confirms the rumors The rumors are true! Lincoln Park is getting a [For] the other two classrooms, one is going to be new building for science classes and the dance stuff for general science, so it could be used for department. However, it’s unknown when this any of those [classes], and then there’s a smaller, will actually take place. medium classroom that would be available.”

“We’re working with the chartering district and The teachers look forward to having proper labs working with the community and getting every- incorporated into their curriculum so students body’s input [about the building],” says Nicole could have a better understanding as to what Borosky, Lincoln Park’s business manager. they’re teaching. With science moving, this means that we have While this process may take a bit of time, the extra classrooms in the gym, and Ms. Borosky science teachers look forward to moving. explains what that means:

“We are all very excited about the new building “We’re still deciding what’s going on,” she admits. at LP!” emails Danielle McKenzie, Lincoln Park’s “There’s been a couple talks of what we’re going biology teacher. “One feature I am excited about to be moving around, but we’re not 100 percent will be that the building has filtered water foun- sure what’s going to be going over there.” tains with bottle refilling stations.” However, science isn’t the only thing moving Jared Schmidt, Lincoln Park’s physics teacher, to the new building. The dance department will explains what the new building will look like for make their new home there. the science classes: “Whenever Ms. Verba talks about [the new danc- “As far as I know, there will be three floors, and es studios], we get really excited because they’re science will be on the second floor. Each of the saying that we’ll have space to change and put classrooms designated for biology, chemistry, our bags, so our rooms won’t be as crammed,” and physics will have labs that are designated says Katerina DoBosh, a freshman dance major to those classes, the curriculum, whatever they from Sharon. “We can actually use all the space would need. in the dance rooms, and they’ll all be a decent size, so we can fit bigger classes in them.”

“I think it’s great!” says Grace Vensel, a fresh- man musical theatre major from Upper Saint Clair. “It’s really great that theatre would get new rooms, and also, as a musical theatre major, getting -- I’ve heard bigger -- dance classrooms is a big blessing because we’re mixing with the Physics teacher Jared Schmidt dance majors as well.” Photo Credit: Erin Brody 6 BlacKKKlanswoman? Reporter of color Trinity Lule speaks with the head of the

Photo Credit: Southern Poverty Law Center

When I decided to chat with Thomas Robb, I prepped for two weeks, giving myself pep talks, national director of The Knights of the Ku Klux writing up questions, and doing research in the Klan, I anticipated a barrage of inquiries from my far reaches of the Internet. friends, family, and fellow staff members. The day came when I was on the phone, speaking Questions such as, “Isn’t that dangerous?” or directly to the man in charge of one of America’s even, “What’s wrong with you?” And as a reader, most notorious hate groups, the successor to the I’m sure the first question that comes to mind infamous . might be, “Why?” Thomas Robb, 74, had a lovely southern I’m black. The Ku Klux Klan isn’t very fond of us, drawl and seemed kind enough, which was but there’s a scene in ’s BlacKkKlansman simultaneously charming and unsettling. that explains my motivation. One of the most important things to note Ron Stallworth, a black police officer from about this interview is that I absolutely did not Colorado, calls the Ku Klux Klan to gain entry anticipate speaking to the man at the very top. In to their organization. Sure enough, they admit my previous calls, I was told I would be speaking him in with the help of his white surrogate Flip to a spokesperson of the Klan, not the national Zimmerman. director.

I wasn’t going to become a Klansman, but I did To say I felt unprepared is an understatement. want to pull a Ron Stallworth. If the Klan knows so much about the white race, then they should I started by asking Mr. Robb what exactly The be able to tell I’m not one, right? Knights of the Ku Klux Klan was. 7 “It’s a political organization focused on national a great sense of compassion. We feel sorry for issues, the same issues feared by many other everybody and everything, and that compassion people,” he said. “We feel that our racial heritage allows us, calls us to bend over backwards trying is quite important for the welfare of the country.” to help what we consider unfortunate people of the world. It’s easy to identify black culture; jazz and rap, braids and durags, tap dancing and stepping, “But unfortunately with blacks, they don’t have soul food and barbecue. Yet, there doesn’t seem that compassion. That’s why they all kill each to be any discernible culture that demands other for a pair of sneakers in Chicago. Blacks kill camaraderie between white people. Is it blue each other right and left.” jeans? And there it was. It dawned on me that he Whatever it is, Robb feels it should be protected. wouldn’t be so cavalier with a black person, which meant I was officially in. “We would like to see a turnabout in our national politics, and we work with many other Robb went on to talk about his concerns of white white nationalist groups in the country, so we’re people becoming the minority in America, which certainly not alone. We do feel that we are having begged the question: “Is this fear reflective of an impact on the direction of the country.” the way that minorities have been treated in American history?” He’s not wrong. Extremist-related murders increased about 35 percent from 2017 to 2018, “I think minorities have been treated very well. while white supremacist propaganda distribution Thousands of young soldiers died in the Civil War nearly tripled the same time according to the to rid the country of slavery. I don’t think any Anti-Defamation League (ADL). black community leaders said a word of thanks to those thousands of young soldiers who died.” Robb described an advertisement he saw on television about helping black communities. “If I was to come to put an ad on television that said I was focusing on helping the white community, it would get taken off. We feel that there’s a vast amount of hypocrisy and discrimination against white people, that even acknowledging that our heritage is something of value is considered racist.”

I asked a question that should be fairly easy to answer for someone so concerned about white rights, but Robb struggled. “What has happened in America to cause white people to lose their rights?”

After a few nervous laughs, he answered. “Yeah, that’s a big question. A good question that needs to be analyzed, that’s very encompassing.

“White people were not vigilant and protective of their identity, of who they are,” he continued. “The problem with white people is that we have Senior Writing and Publishing major Trinity Lule 8 I learned a lot in my time with Thomas “So, what’s my role as a black person in the eyes Robb. I found out that liberals were “mind- of The Knights Party?” manipulationists” who “think they can make us look like we’re a bunch of haters and bigots.” I I thought the phone had died, but when I touched found that “[I]f a white nationalist was in power the screen, I knew he was still on the line. in this country, blacks would be treated much better than they’re being treated today.” I found Finally, he spoke. “I’m sorry, what?” that when cities like Atlanta and Pittsburgh removed “white rule, those communities “What’s my role as a black person in the eyes of collapsed and have become war zones.” The Knights Party?”

I also learned “blacks don’t have a propensity There was another long pause. I was certain I’d for law and order,” which I regretfully have to lost my handle on the interview, that he was disagree with because I love that show. going to fly off the rails, maybe sprinkle in a few slurs here and there and then hang up. However, However, what I found most intriguing was he collected himself. Robb’s experiences with people of color. “We’ve had many people actually over the years, “I was raised in Detroit, Michigan, and when I people who were black ask to join. When I say was raised there, it was a beautiful city. It was many, we aren’t talking about thousands, but we like living in a small town in many ways. You have had people ask to join, and we tell them didn’t have the concern about crime, not even in they can’t join. We’ve had them become Official the black communities. Supporters.”

“My father sold insurance, and part of his There I had it. My dream of becoming a black insurance route was in the black community. My Klanswoman were dashed. I was hoping they mom never said -- my father’s name was Bob had some sort of affirmative action program to -- she never said, ‘Bob, you better find another add diversity to the organization, but they hadn’t job. It’s dangerous in the black community, the gotten around to it yet. ghetto.’ Sometimes, in the summertime when I wasn’t in school, I’d ride with my dad. Even though Robb stuck around, the tenor of the conversation changed dramatically. “I’ve done extensive traveling. In all my traveling, I’ve never been mistreated by a person of color, “You mentioned people of color joining in on the not one. I’ve been shown kindness and respect white rights movement. Why do you think they wherever I’ve traveled by people of color, should do that?” whether it be hotels or restaurants or wherever. I’ve never been mistreated by anyone of color, “I don’t know.” and I’ve never mistreated any of them.” “Okay. As a person of mixed race, would I be Not once did Robb describe a negative considered a part of the white race?” encounter with a person of color. In fact, he says the opposite. It made me think: where did these “No.” feelings come from? The fear of upsetting the leader of the KKK When Robb got into describing how “young black dawned on me in that moment. Sure, it was a girls are in fear of being molested in a darkened little late, since I was already speaking to him, hallway or back alley somewhere,” I knew it was revealing my home address, cell phone number, time to fess up. full name and school, but at least it was there. 9 I never got around to finishing BlacKkKlansman, but I was certainly hoping Ron Stallworth and his black KKKlanswoman: buddy Flip didn’t end up in a tree.

I’m ashamed to admit I ended the interview rather the back story early. There were other things I wanted to ask, such as the KKK’s ugly past, the organization’s Why would The SIREN talk to the KKK? rebranding, and potentially signing me up as an Managing Editor Erin Brody interviewed Official Supporter. However, I was scared out of reporter Trinity Lule about her story. my mind. Q: How did you get a hold of the KKK? We exchanged our pleasentries, much stiffer than our introductions, and the interview promptly A: I went to kkk.com and it brought me ended. In the recording of our interview, you straight to their website. I was expecting it can hear me collapse onto the piano bench and to be a lot more underground, but they’re scream in one of the practice rooms in Alumni pretty open about it and the graphic design Hall. on their website is subpar. I think what startled me most about this interview was the realization that I couldn’t blame Thomas Q: Why did you decide to do this? Robb. A: What got me really into it was my He wasn’t born racist. He frequented black hometown. There was a billboard that said neighborhoods with his father and lacked any “I’m white and proud of it!” and the next racist experiences. When you read in between slide said “Racist Blacks” and it had these the lines, it’s quite obvious something changed random men’s faces and full names and I to cause him to become the leader of the Ku realized they were real people. Klux Klan. Q: If you could ask him one more question, I, unfortunately, never got the chance to ask just what would it be? what. A:Why does he feel this way about people In a way, I was hoping that my overzealous of color when he’s never had any of these interview with him would change his perception negative experiences? Was there an epiph- of what it means to be black; that we don’t have any that causd him to feel this way? to speak or act a certain way; and we’re capable of having thought-provoking conversations. Q: Isn’t it a bad idea to give a group like the KKK a platform? But I hope now that when he sees a black kid, he hears the somewhat eloquent, somewhat A: No, it’s not. We know this exists and delusional Trinity Lule, who once interviewed unfortunately people like me don’t have him. the luxury of ignoring racism exists. I think, especially for white students at Lincoln, it’s I used to find myself performing, being the good easier to not acknowledge that it’s here black kid, so the white person I’m talking to because you’re not the one experiencing it. didn’t become the next Thomas Robb. After my For a lot of us, it’s very much there. interview, I realized that is not my responsibility. 10 Jake' s Takes ' movie reviewer jake shafran asks: DID STAR WARS: IX Get it Right?

The ninth and final installation of the Star Wars epic, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is the end of an era. There’s no movie series that has quite reached the multi-generational love like Star Wars.

However, the finale wasn’t quite the cherry on top of the film. There’s lots to talk about!

The biggest positive of the film was the references to other movies. In every other scene, there were subtle and not-so-subtle recalls to the previous eight films. With Ewoks, the Death Star, and even entire characters (spoiler-free!) making reappearances in The Rise of Skywalker.

This excellent ability to integrate into the world really shows the attention to detail of the franchise. The writers, production designers, and directors seemed acutely aware their movie would be scruti- nized for every inch of closure an audience can get.

It was an unexpected benefit in the finale, to be frank. Most franchises don’t give the kind of min- ute details attention past film four or five. Crediting this to more than a fresh director and writer, it shows the care the movie was given in creation.

There were some downsides to this. At times, it felt the recall, the closing of loops, overpowered the story. An audience member could be satisfied watching the movie just with the recalls, but they could also leave disappointed in the plot. 11 It was neglected in the movie to favor of character development and relationship building. Some- times, the film felt like a hodge-podge of fun scenes to watch and point out the little details of.

This was mostly for the first half, though. As the movie progressed, the story became far more aparent and relevant to the scenes at play. Characters’ banter felt more important to the plot in the second half, compared to the first.

The story truly kicked into gear upon a great reveal in Rey (Daisy Ridley). This reveal propelled both the mission of the characters and the relationship between two important people.

Had the first half been more like the second, it would’ve been excellent; however, as it is now, it’s a very solid film. It was a beautiful watch, and worth seeing to conclude the saga. Grade:: b

However, some students aren’t upset with about Flex Days this. Cont. from page 3 Morgan Roderick, a junior health science ma- jor from Monaca, says, “I’m hoping it will help Grace David, a senior media major from Mars, schools make quicker decisions when weather agrees. “I did cyber school before, and I hated and roads are bad.” it,” she says. “I’m not excited.” Cyber school is one thing, and a few assignments online is an- other.”

Still, it seems some people would rather have less summer vacation than have a Flex Day.

Fallyn Shoup, a junior musical theatre major from Washington, says, “I would rather come an extra day and get the quality education LP- Junior Health Science major PACS offers.” Morgan Roderick

Despite complaints about Flex Days, but ac- And Joe Walsh, a senior music major from Wex- cording to Mrs. Castelli, if students don’t like ford, admits, “They aren’t that bad, but it’s fun to it, they’re just going to have to “deal with it.” complain about them.” 12 Leopards Leap toward another successful season By Chief Operating Officer Jake Shafran

What does this year hold for the Leopards? Senior health science major Isaiah Smith

As defending state champs, the boy’s varsity basketball team has a large act to follow this year, but they’re up for the challenge. What’s in their strategy for this year, then?

“Our strong point is our experience, so we’re looking to be the same kind of team with the same kind of success and the same results,” says Mike Bariski, athletic director and boys varsity basketball coach.

It seems that he and Isaiah Smith, senior health science major from Ambridge and co-captain of the team, are on the same page. “In order for our team to be successful, we Bariski. “You have to have something up your have to try to get better every day, and we sleeve.” have to continue doing what got us all the success we’ve had,” says Smith. The Leopards have several things up our sleeve this year as a team. “We have a Plan Still, Bariski says, he “always has something A, B, C, D, and E,” says Bariski. With plans for that surprises other teams.” every situation, the Leopards are set for an- other successful year. It’s off to a great start. “We’ve always been a fast, run-and-gun, man The year is more than the victories the team defense team,” Bariski continues. This means, wins, however. for the less sports-knowledgeable people, that the team is very aggressive in their of- The team already has the coaching strategies fense with a defense that assigns one defen- and potential, but there is always hurdles for sive player to a player on the other team. any team. “The biggest challenge this year has been trying to get everyone to find their role This normally lends itself to a fast-paced, on our team,” says Smith. high-scoring game. “With basketball, ev- erything’s on tapes, so you can always find “Because we have our three main scorers, but teams you’re gonna play. Everybody’s gonna everyone else that comes in sometimes feel see what you do and what you do well,” says that they have to fill the [scoring] role.” 13 Smith believes in the team this year, though, saying, “There isn’t much we can improve on. I feel our chemistry and unselfishness could follow us! get a lot better, but as the season has pro- gressed, so far we have gotten a lot better.” INSTAGRAM/TWITTER:

“All of the guys we have have been with us @siren_lppacs the whole time,” says Bariski. “I can’t wait to see them blossom as young men and as bas- ketball players.”

Smith is excited, too. “I was extremely excited to go to Florida in December with the boys and girls teams.” he says.

“It gave both teams a chance to gain good re- lationships with one another, and it brought both teams together.”

Bill Minear, Lincoln Park’s transport liaison and head coach at Montour, explains more about the Florida trip. Make sure to download the SIREN “It was the Florida Elks holiday tournament, and [Lincoln Park and Montour] were the only APP! teams from the North down there,” says Min- ear. * Witchy wednesdays by Ceresa Morsaint “When they played down in Florida, both our teams watched the other teams play and cheer for each other,” says Minear. * Silly Schoodles comics by Steviee

Rivalries get intense between teams, so this geagan and Hailey Bartlett show of encouragement was a welcome and positive experience for the teams! * exclusive articles and columns

Smith concludes, “So long as we continue to from our reporters work hard and not change what we do as a team, Lincoln Park basketball will always be * and more! successful.”

The Leopards play at home tonight at 7:30 vs. New Brighton, and at Montour Sunday against Kennedy Catholic at 6 p.m.

Copy Editor/Layout: Trinty Lule Digital Art: Jordyn Slavic 14 Bartlett Bakes jnassapressasdre Sweet (literally) and simple: the dsastopuzzlesgvj kind of recipes I like rpresidentialqwe wocandidatesfads Trump Biden Photo Credit: jeffreyw on FLickr Castro Roxbury Drops Sanders What you’ll need: Weld 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup butter Walsh 1/2 cup molasses 1/2 cup sour milk Yang 1 1/2 cups sifted flour Buttigieg 1/2 tsp. cloves 1/2 tsp. cinnamon Booker Pinch of nutmeg 2 egg yolks Warren 1/2 cup seedless raisins (or chocolate chips!) 1/2 cup chopped nuts 1 tsp. baking soda 2 egg whites Directions: 1. Cream the sugar with the butter. Stir in molasses and sour milk. 2. Combine flour, cloves, cinnamon, and nut- meg, then mix with the liquids. 3. Beat the yolks and add to mixture. 4. Stir raisins/chocolate chips. 5. Roll the chopped nuts in flour and add. 6. Dissolve baking soda in a small amount of boiling water then add. 7. Beat the egg whites to form stiff peaks and add as well. Add flour to the dough if it’s not quite stiff enough. 8. Drop by teaspoonfuls on a buttered pan and bake for 15 to 20 minutes at a medium heat.