The Great Clam Chowder War of 1939

For New Englanders, clam chowder — often affectionately called “chowdah” — is more than just a soup; it’s a deep-rooted cultural identity and the ultimate comfort food against the harsh Atlantic winds. So, when someone wanted to replace the cream base with tomato broth, a war broke out. The Great Clam Chowder War of 1939 was a legendary culinary and legislative dispute sparked when Maine State Representative Cleveland Sleeper drafted a bill to make putting tomatoes in clam chowder illegal. That would have effectively outlawed the tomato-based Manhattan clam chowder, with violators facing the punishment of digging a barrel of clams at high tide. The standoff culminated in a highly publicized cook-off in Portland, Maine, to settle the score without government interference. A panel of high-profile judges, including Maine Gov. Lewis O. Barrows (pictured) and Ruth Wakefield, the inventor of the chocolate chip cookie, was convened to evaluate the two broths. Not surprisingly, the judges unanimously crowned the traditional New England-style clam chowder the winner. Satisfied with the victory, Rep. Sleeper dropped his bill, solidifying the legendary divide between red and white clam chowders.

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Revealing Car Pricing Secrets: Dealer Markup Exposed

Purchasing a car can be an exhilarating yet daunting experience, particularly when you know how much everything costs. One thing that frequently confuses purchasers is the dealer markup, which has an impact on the total cost of a car. The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), which is displayed on a car’s window label, is frequently more than what you would anticipate to pay when you visit a dealership. The dealer markup is to blame for this discrepancy. It's important to understand dealer markup because it has a direct effect on the total amount you pay for a car. Dealer markup is a world that needs to be navigated strategically. Find out the car’s market value by comparing models and their costs at other dealerships. Communicate openly with other dealerships about the bids you have received, since this may encourage them to reduce their markup. Examine other financing options. Getting financed through the dealership can come with more costs and interest. Investigate other choices for financing your car, such as a bank or credit union pre-approval. Most of all, beware the unexpected fees and extra costs. The final cost of a vehicle can include additional dealer costs in addition to dealer markup. Those fees include documentation fees, advertising fees, and delivery fees. Request information about these fees and work to have them included in the total cost.

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10-Year-Old American Fashion Designer Shuttles Between School and Runways

At just 10 years old, Max Alexander has already accomplished a lot in the fashion industry. With his own design label, employees, millions of social media followers, and a collection of clothing focused on sustainability, he's now adding one more accolade to his long list of successes by becoming the youngest ever designer to have a show at Paris Fashion Week. While full of childhood whimsy and a playful personality, he's all business when it comes to fashion. His collection is 90% biodegradable, recyclable, and sustainable, made from dead stock (leftover material not used by companies) and surplus. He admits the material would have been in the landfill had he not rescued it. His newest bag design sold out in just 24 hours, as did the set of charms he recently released. He says that through all of his designs, he focuses on saving environmental sustainability while ensuring that creativity seeps from every seam. His “career” began when he was just 7 years old, preparing for his first fashion show after taking social media by storm. When his mother started up an Instagram account for his designs, he gained more than a million followers — now he has nearly 6 million. He views his journey to Paris Fashion week as an incredible accomplishment, while making sure to note that it was only possible because of the support he’s received, for which he is forever grateful. Alexander's designs for dresses, pajamas, tees, hoodies and ‌more are sold on his website.

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5-Ingredient Sheet Pan Gnocchi

Transform your summer dinners with this vibrant sheet pan gnocchi recipe. Packed with fresh veggies and bursting with flavor, it’s the ultimate quick fix for busy nights. Feel free to toss in asparagus or mushrooms with the tomatoes at the start, while vegetables like zucchini, sugar snap peas, or spinach can be added later along with the corn — this way, each veggie keeps its own bite and texture.

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• • 1 lb store-bought gnocchi 
• • 16 oz cherry tomatoes
• • 1 large red onion, cut into wedges**
• • 2–3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• • ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

** You can substitute 1 pint of diced bell peppers if you don’t want to use onion.

Directions:

• • Preheat oven to 425º F.
• • Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
• • Scatter the gnocchi, tomatoes and red onion evenly across the sheet pan.
• • Drizzle the olive oil, salt and pepper generously over the ingredients.
• • Toss directly on the pan with your hands or a spatular until everything is well coated and then spread into a single, even layer.
• • Bake for 25-30 minutes, shaking or stirring the pan halfway through the cooking time so everything browns evenly.
• • Remove from the oven and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, letting it melt slightly before serving.

 

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